How long to run algae scrubber?

[ghostman]

I just set up a new algae scrubber on my 65g mixed reef. I'm wondering how long users are running their lights. I know it will help pH stabilize by running it at night opposite the display lighting. Does anyone run their scrubber longer? Anyone leave the lights on 24/7? Thanks!!!

 

[Bill Urbanski]

24/7

 

[Water Dog]

New tank or established? Are the lights dimmable? I personally would not run 24/7 especially if the lights are non dimmable as there is such a thing as photo saturation which will inhibit growth. I recently started a new tank with a Turbo’s L2 ATS running at 25% intensity for 9 hours opposite of my DT lights. Here is a photo of firmly attached GHA evenly developing on the screen with no bald spots or slime growth new ATS screens are prone to. I have just been advised by Bud to up the intensity slightly to increase growth now that I have a firmly established base.

 

[theMeat]

14 hours opposite display tank light.

Monitor nitrates and phosphate. Adjust/dial in ats lights accordingly

 

[ghostman]

I have the same scrubber waterdog. Tank is established My light is dimmed to the lowest amount and screen is "seeded" with some GHA that I attached to the screen with toothpicks through the holes to hold it in place.

 

[Bill Urbanski]

I was instructed by clear water scrubbers owner to run 24/7. I have asked him for clarification. I will update when I get a reply.

 

[Bill Urbanski]

New tank or established? Are the lights dimmable? I personally would not run 24/7 especially if the lights are non dimmable as there is such a thing as photo saturation which will inhibit growth. I recently started a new tank with a Turbo’s L2 ATS running at 25% intensity for 9 hours opposite of my DT lights. Here is a photo of firmly attached GHA evenly developing on the screen with no bald spots or slime growth new ATS screens are prone to. I have just been advised by Bud to up the intensity slightly to increase growth now that I have a firmly established base.

That’s nothing. My screen was full with dense green algae. Next time I’ll take a picture.

 

[Bill Urbanski]

 

[Bill Urbanski]

This was my first harvest. My second was even better.

 

[Water Dog]

I have the same scrubber waterdog. Tank is established My light is dimmed to the lowest amount and screen is "seeded" with some GHA that I attached to the screen with toothpicks through the holes to hold it in place.

Run it at the 6 o’clock position (25% intensity) for 10 hours opposite the DT to get a firm base going. As it gets established, up the intensity about 1/8th of a turn at a time. The dial is not linear, so the 6 o’clock position is 25% intensity, 3/4 of a turn is 50% intensity and a full 360 degree turn is 100% intensity. In reading a bunch of the Turbo’s ATS threads, I went with 25% intensity to start and so far that has worked well for me to get an even base of firmly attached GHA established on the screen.

 

[Water Dog]

That’s nothing. My screen was full with dense green algae. Next time I’ll take a picture.

Apples to oranges... I’m running a brand new bare bottom tank. I’m working on getting a nice even layer of firmly established GHA on my screen with no bald spots and no slime growth.

 

[Halal Hotdog]

Opposite display light, 18 hrs/days. Years ago I remember reading an article that recommended 18 hrs on with 6 hrs off for best results. Just stuck with it and it has worked well.

 

[Bill Urbanski]

Apples to oranges... I’m running a brand new bare bottom tank. I’m working on getting a nice even layer of firmly established GHA on my screen with no bald spots and no slime growth.

My second was a carpet of green algae. So I disagree not apples to oranges.

 

[leepink23]

I run mine 18 hours on, 6 hours off.

 

[Water Dog]

My second was a carpet of green algae. So I disagree not apples to oranges.

Yes, apples to oranges in terms of nutrients available to feed algae growth on a screen. My new bare bottom tank will be a lot different in terms of available nutrients to your established tank.

How big of a tank are you running? Mine is a 2 1/2 month old 57 gallon bare bottom tank with the scrubber added 4 weeks ago.

 

[theMeat]

It all depends on needs. If you run it 24/7 on a tank that is getting stripped of nutrients... lower photo time. Too low on nutrients can be worse for corals and better for cyano to take hold than too much.
Would recommend running 14 hours. Once established see what it does to nutrients. If coming down too fast lower light. If not going down higher light. Avoid big changes with light. Go a lil , test, make small changes , give it some time, coupla weeks, re-test

 

[AZRipp]

I typically run my for 16 opposite the day cycle but you'll typically have to adjust for your needs. Initially cycles are often suggested at around 18.

 

[Bill Urbanski]

Ok. Clear water has replied. His response was run times should be based on nutrient levels. If your levels are in a desired range consider cutting back on light time. If you still have higher levels of nitrate and PO4 keep it running 24/7

 

[stezlaki]

Ok. Clear water has replied. His response was run times should be based on nutrient levels. If your levels are in a desired range consider cutting back on light time. If you still have higher levels of nitrate and PO4 keep it running 24/7

I was wondering about running a scrubber 24/7 and found this on algaescrubber.net:

Q: How long should I leave the lights on?
A: 18 hours. Never run the lights 24/7, because the algae will "burn" and stop growing near the light. Algae needs rest. Amazingly, algae does most of it’s filtering in the dark; it just grows bigger in the light.

How long are y'all running the lights on your scrubbers? I guess like everything else in this hobby, ask 10 different people and you'll get 10 different answers.......

 

[Rubicon121562]

New tank or established? Are the lights dimmable? I personally would not run 24/7 especially if the lights are non dimmable as there is such a thing as photo saturation which will inhibit growth. I recently started a new tank with a Turbo’s L2 ATS running at 25% intensity for 9 hours opposite of my DT lights. Here is a photo of firmly attached GHA evenly developing on the screen with no bald spots or slime growth new ATS screens are prone to. I have just been advised by Bud to up the intensity slightly to increase growth now that I have a firmly established base.

I run mine 24/7 and my nitrates and phosphates are all in line...BOY oh BOY does it grow the algae ..It is a 4 Square algae scrubber. 210 gallon reef set up, dozen species fish, all sorts of corals, softies mostly. It has been running for 6 months basically, most contents in display /rock/fish/corals etc came from a well established previous tank running for several years. I was negligent for about 4 weeks and didn't check scrubber...created a problem, algae got into my roller matt box ( scrubber drains into return section of sump at roller matt...( Trigger system sump and roller matt). It strangled around float sensors ughhhh...I was super busy at work for weeks...never again..what a mess. It just grows and grows and grows algae. I also run an 80 watt Pentair UV sterilizer, phos and carbon reactors. I was wondering if I should run it like 18 hours, save few bucks on power plus less algae?..yet...system is on cruise control with my numbers..magnesium 1260 / Ca 440 / KH 8 . Your thoughts ?