First Time Using an ATS

[immo]

This is the first time I’ve ever used an algae turf scrubber. I am curious does this appear to be good growth of desirable algae (going on about 3 weeks since installation)? Reason for asking is it appears that my zoas are entirely unimpressed with it all.

 

[TX_REEF]

looks pretty good, once the surface is "established", thicker mats of algae will grow back after each harvest. What do you mean your zoas are "unimpressed"?

 

[immo]

looks pretty good, once the surface is "established", thicker mats of algae will grow back after each harvest. What do you mean your zoas are "unimpressed"?

Well everything was perfectly content in the tank. All the zoas were open, gonis, alveopora, euphyllia. Since starting the ATS everything has slowly closed up. I’m transitioning away from no pox and skimming. I ran the skimmer and reduced dosage. I turned the skimmer off last night to see what it would look like today and everything is closed.

 

[TX_REEF]

Adding the ATS is likely to have reduced your nitrates, which can make corals unhappy especially if they were accustomed to a comfortable consistent nitrate level. what made you want to add the ATS?

 

[immo]

Nitrates haven’t dropped, they’re currently rising

 

[TX_REEF]

That's hard to believe unless you made other changes simultaneously, any other changes? and why did you want to add the ATS if everything was happy?

 

[immo]

No other changes. Just ATS and reducing nopox.

I want to get away from carbon dosing and take advantage the ph benefit.

 

[rtparty]

Carbon dosing can be extremely beneficial and is one of the best methods I’ve ever employed.

I can’t say I’ve ever seen an ATS raise pH. It’s not clear if ATS pull CO2 from water or the surrounding air or both

 

[TX_REEF]

so if you reduced nopox it makes sense that nitrate and phosphate would rise causing some temporary instability, which your corals will need time to adjust to. your ATS will pull more out once it gets more established.