Introducing the new Turbo Algae Scrubber! (Rev 4)

Salty1962 · Jul 10, 2017

Jakepen said:
Is there a thread showing how people have mounted theirs? Also I'm sure I could figure it out if I looked into it, but how does it drain? With a included pvc pipe, and a bulkhead? I have the L2, but got it and threw it in my closet.

There are quite a few on this thread, you just have to page back and look at what folks have done.

Salty1962 · Jul 10, 2017

Jakepen said:
Is there a thread showing how people have mounted theirs? Also I'm sure I could figure it out if I looked into it, but how does it drain? With a included pvc pipe, and a bulkhead? I have the L2, but got it and threw it in my closet.

Check this thread out: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/show-off-your-turbos-aquatics-algae-scrubber.293235/

Turbo's Aquatics · Jul 10, 2017

Jakepen said:
This could be a obvious answer, but can this be ran off a manifold?

WilRams said:
Yup thats how I had planned on running it.

Beat me to it!

Jakepen said:
Is there a thread showing how people have mounted theirs? Also I'm sure I could figure it out if I looked into it, but how does it drain? With a included pvc pipe, and a bulkhead? I have the L2, but got it and threw it in my closet.

Jakepen · Jul 10, 2017

Thank you guys for replying, I'll sift thru them later. Maybe even message the gentleman that used the 3D printer to make those brackets. One more question, is the barbed fitting for the input included, if so what size is it? If not, what size is needed?

Turbo's Aquatics · Jul 10, 2017

Jakepen said:
One more question, is the barbed fitting for the input included, if so what size is it? If not, what size is needed?

Several options are included: https://support.turbosaquatics.com/portal/kb/articles/parts-list-for-rev-4-algae-scrubbers, for bonding to the pipe, I include an end cap and then a straight and elbow slip/thread fittings, a union, and both and straight and elbow thread/barb fittings

Jakepen · Jul 10, 2017

Floyd R Turbo said:
Several options are included: https://support.turbosaquatics.com/portal/kb/articles/parts-list-for-rev-4-algae-scrubbers, for bonding to the pipe, I include an end cap and then a straight and elbow slip/thread fittings, a union, and both and straight and elbow thread/barb fittings

Okay thank you. I guess I could have just went into my closet and opened the box haha. One last question; to run it off a 1" manifold, I'll need a reducer to put in my cepex, then a 3/4" barbed fitting in that right? Probably pretty obvious, I've never had to plumb though, my last tank was a all in one..

jason2459 · Jul 11, 2017

Welcome back

FYI the ats loves iron.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/diy-the-diy-fe-ferrous-citrate-supplement.307168/

Salty1962 · Jul 11, 2017

jason2459 said:
Welcome back

FYI the ats loves iron.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/diy-the-diy-fe-ferrous-citrate-supplement.307168/

+1 on the Iron. My Iron was low after I started mine.

Turbo's Aquatics · Jul 11, 2017

Jakepen said:
Okay thank you. I guess I could have just went into my closet and opened the box haha. One last question; to run it off a 1" manifold, I'll need a reducer to put in my cepex, then a 3/4" barbed fitting in that right? Probably pretty obvious, I've never had to plumb though, my last tank was a all in one..

Correct, or you could place the reducer on the scrubber side of that run, i.e. 1" ID hose from manifold to scrubber, then a 1" Barb to 3/4" thread reducer, then into the union > scrubber

jason2459 said:
FYI the ats loves iron.

Salty1962 said:
+1 on the Iron. My Iron was low after I started mine.

Iron is highly reactive, so it's not very surprising to measure it at zero in a saltwater tank, even without a scrubber. Adding iron (without a scrubber) from what I recall (just going off of memory from Justin Credable's presentation at a past club frag fest) has the effect of binding to phosphate pretty much instantly when it hits the water...or something like that. Someone else can jump in here and correct me though.

Potassium is taken up by a thick growing scrubber. The more algae you grow, the more K is removed. This is one of those items that most people don't usually think about, K dosing isn't as common as other things. Justin Credable also spoke about this, he used potassium water softener salt (I believe he used Culligan, but I got a ~40 lb bag for $25 at Home Depot), you make a 5g batch of saturated solution (mix well) then drip through dry GFO and into tank. Way more cost effective than buying anything off the shelf.

Salty1962 · Jul 11, 2017

Floyd R Turbo said:
Correct, or you could place the reducer on the scrubber side of that run, i.e. 1" ID hose from manifold to scrubber, then a 1" Barb to 3/4" thread reducer, then into the union > scrubber

Iron is highly reactive, so it's not very surprising to measure it at zero in a saltwater tank, even without a scrubber. Adding iron (without a scrubber) from what I recall (just going off of memory from Justin Credable's presentation at a past club frag fest) has the effect of binding to phosphate pretty much instantly when it hits the water...or something like that. Someone else can jump in here and correct me though.

Potassium is taken up by a thick growing scrubber. The more algae you grow, the more K is removed. This is one of those items that most people don't usually think about, K dosing isn't as common as other things. Justin Credable also spoke about this, he used potassium water softener salt (I believe he used Culligan, but I got a ~40 lb bag for $25 at Home Depot), you make a 5g batch of saturated solution (mix well) then drip through dry GFO and into tank. Way more cost effective than buying anything off the shelf.

Since my ATS has matured, I've been dosing K and I to keep it at NSW levels. Nutrients have really come down and algae levels in my DT have improved. It's been 4 mths now. I love it.
Thx Bud

jason2459 · Jul 17, 2017

Soon!

APLATN13 · Jul 21, 2017

Thinking about ordering one soon

jason2459 · Jul 21, 2017

APLATN13 said:
Thinking about ordering one soon

Do it now so you can get on the list. You can always cancel later if for some reason you change your mind. He wont take your money until he's about to build it.

APLATN13 · Jul 21, 2017

jason2459 said:
Do it now so you can get on the list. You can always cancel later if for some reason you change your mind. He wont take your money until he's about to build it.

Not a bad idea. Whats the wait time atm?

jason2459 · Jul 21, 2017

APLATN13 said:
Not a bad idea. Whats the wait time atm?

I think it depends on which size you get. I believe L8's take longer as there's not as much demand. What ever the wait time is it's worth it.

APLATN13 · Jul 21, 2017

jason2459 said:
I think it depends on which size you get. I believe L8's take longer as there's not as much demand. What ever the wait time is it's worth it.

Trying to see what I need. I have a DSA 105 with a DSA 18 plumbed together. I have about 27 fish total and seeing if i need L4 or L2

Turbo's Aquatics · Jul 21, 2017

APLATN13 said:
Thinking about ordering one soon

;Woot ;Smuggrin Click "get in line" on my signature or go here: http://www.turbosaquatics.com/ordering.html

APLATN13 said:
Not a bad idea. Whats the wait time atm?

I keep a waitlist that is prioritized first on when you requested to be added to it, then by a self-perceived priority. So for instance I might group everyone who was added to the list in June together, then build in order of priority within that group. So the wait isn't necessarily any longer or shorter for any particular size unit

jason2459 said:
I think it depends on which size you get. I believe L8's take longer as there's not as much demand. What ever the wait time is it's worth it.

Thank for the support Jason. The wait on the L4 and larger units was mainly because of some production issues that I had to work through. Plus that whole "real job" thing. ;Rage

Celtic_Fox · Jul 21, 2017

APLATN13 said:
Trying to see what I need. I have a DSA 105 with a DSA 18 plumbed together. I have about 27 fish total and seeing if i need L4 or L2

With 27 fish I would assume you're feeding more than 2 cubes a day.... so (in my opinion) only go with the L2 if the scrubber is only going to be a secondary part of your filtration.

Turbo's Aquatics · Jul 21, 2017

Celtic_Fox said:
With 27 fish I would assume you're feeding more than 2 cubes a day.... so (in my opinion) only go with the L2 if the scrubber is only going to be a secondary part of your filtration.

It depends on your other equipment though (quality, size, etc). If you had a good skimmer paired with a scrubber, each of those is taking up a portion of the bioload. I put together an article here based on this thread, which might help

Celtic_Fox · Jul 21, 2017

Floyd R Turbo said:
It depends on your other equipment though (quality, size, etc). If you had a good skimmer paired with a scrubber, each of those is taking up a portion of the bioload. I put together an article here based on this thread, which might help

Hmmm. I thought that's what I said - albeit bit more cryptically... ;-)