Guess what causes the black slime

[SantaMonica]

I figured that the LEDs in the HOG should be much stronger than the IC Pros.

It's not how strong the light is; it's a combination of light, attachment, bubbling, and cleaning frequency. You'll need to post pics with the red light turned off to get better advice.

because they are just nuisance algae factories

It's the opposite. Scrubbers out-compete nuisance algae, and pull nutrients away from the nuisance algae, including pulling phosphate out of the rock. Chaeto reactors are not as good, however, and require about 5 times the size to do the same filtering as a scrubber.

why is this in the macro forum?

Because the green hair algaa, green slime, and black slime you grow in a scrubber can directly feed the animals.

 

[ClownWrangler]

It's the opposite. Scrubbers out-compete nuisance algae, and pull nutrients away from the nuisance algae, including pulling phosphate out of the rock. Chaeto reactors are not as good, however, and require about 5 times the size to do the same filtering as a scrubber.

I can see the advantage of the form factor for certain applications, I would definitely consider one if I had a nano-cube. but I think you are being over critical of chaeto. I don't know what a chaeto "reactor" is, it sounds like a marketing gimmick, but I keep a brick of chaeto in a 5"x4"x6" compartment in my HOB and it keeps up fine with both phosphate and nitrates for a bio load of 2 clowns, a flame hawk, flame angel and 6 BTAs. It could be that I grow it far more densely than most people with higher flow and a lighting setup for higher penetration though. 6 watts of red and blue LED terrestrial grow light. I would be impressed to see a compartment that is only 1"x4"x6" keep up with it. Not saying it wouldn't, but it would be impressive.

 

[Bfragale]

 

[Townes_Van_Camp]

I love my drop .6 by the way. Fantastic little device.

 

[ClownWrangler]

OK. I'm impressed. But that thing cost more than my entire setup. LOL. And I have 8 tanks. I'll look into the DIY rout. I'm pretty good at reverse engineering things. I'm actually more interested in what it can do for a freshwater setup. There is no fresh water chaeto.

 

[Townes_Van_Camp]

I can see the advantage of the form factor for certain applications, I would definitely consider one if I had a nano-cube. but I think you are being over critical of chaeto. I don't know what a chaeto "reactor" is, it sounds like a marketing gimmick, but I keep a brick of chaeto in a 5"x4"x6" compartment in my HOB and it keeps up fine with both phosphate and nitrates for a bio load of 2 clowns, a flame hawk, flame angel and 6 BTAs. It could be that I grow it far more densely than most people with higher flow and a lighting setup for higher penetration though. 6 watts of red and blue LED terrestrial grow light. I would be impressed to see a compartment that is only 1"x4"x6" keep up with it. Not saying it wouldn't, but it would be impressive.

They have a scrubber that small. Called a drop.2 or some such. I’ve considered putting one in my Innovative marine back chamber instead of the skimmer.

 

[NowGlazeIT]

OK. I'm impressed. But that thing cost more than my entire setup. LOL. And I have 8 tanks. I'll look into the DIY rout. I'm pretty good at reverse engineering things. I'm actually more interested in what it can do for a freshwater setup. There is no fresh water chaeto.

8 Freshwater tanks?

 

[ClownWrangler]

8 Freshwater tanks?

My bad, I forgot to count those. 8 saltwater and 3 fresh water. It's not as bad as it sounds, only about 200 gallons total. Mostly small tanks. I have a BTA and clownfish obsession.

 

[SantaMonica]

Correct there is no FW chaeto. So a waterfall, upflow, or combination thereof could be easily DIY'd and there are many ideas at out www.AlgaeScrubber.Net forum