My DIY ATS attempt

Dcal · Apr 12, 2021

Followed @ca1ore for the most part and it turned out well. My only concern is that my mesh wasn't hard plastic and seemed to be a synthetic fiber kinda thing. here's day 1

monkeyCmonkeyDo · Apr 12, 2021

Knitting mesh. Hths
D

Dcal · Apr 12, 2021

monkeyCmonkeyDo said:
Knitting mesh. Hths
D

Thats what i bought so it might be correct lol

monkeyCmonkeyDo · Apr 12, 2021

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001145310?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

This is what i used. I ruffed it up with a holesaw to make it more frictiony or grippy. Ruff. Lol
D

Dcal · Apr 12, 2021

monkeyCmonkeyDo said:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001145310?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

This is what i used. I ruffed it up with a holesaw to make it more frictiony or grippy. Ruff. Lol
D

ordered it just in case lol thank you

monkeyCmonkeyDo · Apr 12, 2021

I see your using1 of the new red led sump lights. Algae lights. Dont be afraid to use a supte bright light under their on it. Your trying to grow the HA their and not in the DT. They work man kuddos congrats! Reef on bro!
D

monkeyCmonkeyDo · Apr 12, 2021

Red led light*
Super*

Dcal · Apr 12, 2021

monkeyCmonkeyDo said:
I see your using1 of the new red led sump lights. Algae lights. Dont be afraid to use a supte bright light under their on it. Your trying to grow the HA their and not in the DT. They work man kuddos congrats! Reef on bro!
D

I bought the light awhile ago for my fw mangrove. Do you think it'll work aight for the ats?

Dcal · Apr 12, 2021

Or should i just get something else

monkeyCmonkeyDo · Apr 12, 2021

I like the good old clip on reptile metal reflector light like at the hardware store with a florescent house bulb like a 40w.
Im using the small 6 or 8" diameter one right now. I almost bought the big 12" dome one today lol.
Maybe try ur.light and see 1st.
How longs ur tank been running?
Shouldnt be long and you will start seeing.colors on the mat.
D

monkeyCmonkeyDo · Apr 12, 2021

My.tanks been up.idk maybe 2 or 3 months. Still.diatom.
D

Dcal · Apr 12, 2021

monkeyCmonkeyDo said:
I like the good old clip on reptile metal reflector light like at the hardware store with a florescent house bulb like a 40w.
Im using the small 6 or 8" diameter one right now. I almost bought the big 12" dome one today lol.
Maybe try ur.light and see 1st.
How longs ur tank been running?
Shouldnt be long and you will start seeing.colors on the mat.
D

8 months now. how many days should I wait for growth before I switch lights

mdb_talon · Apr 12, 2021

I tried some lights that looked exactly like that except for had 4 arms and to be honest they were useless for me. Used them for vegetable seedlings instead and they were great for that. Used a different cheap led off amazon for refuge and it did great. Maybe you will have better luck than me with them though

monkeyCmonkeyDo · Apr 12, 2021

Talons response tells me spend the $15 and get the reflector lamp and basic bulb from the hardware store lol.
Ur tanks 8months old... depends on the amount of light u hit it with and the flow u send. I like mine slow.
Id change the mesh for sure. Urs looks too far spaced.
Id give it a month and you will see growth probably. You have an algae issue in the display?

Dcal · Apr 12, 2021

monkeyCmonkeyDo said:
Talons response tells me spend the $15 and get the reflector lamp and basic bulb from the hardware store lol.
Ur tanks 8months old... depends on the amount of light u hit it with and the flow u send. I like mine slow.
Id change the mesh for sure. Urs looks too far spaced.
Id give it a month and you will see growth probably. You have an algae issue in the display?

well at least i got the pvc right lol. not really just added a bunch of fish and expect one lol

Dcal · Apr 12, 2021

monkeyCmonkeyDo said:
Talons response tells me spend the $15 and get the reflector lamp and basic bulb from the hardware store lol.
Ur tanks 8months old... depends on the amount of light u hit it with and the flow u send. I like mine slow.
Id change the mesh for sure. Urs looks too far spaced.
Id give it a month and you will see growth probably. You have an algae issue in the display?

Any led suggestions?

monkeyCmonkeyDo · Apr 12, 2021

Something 5-10k
Ill.look. i tried a small crisp white led and went back to my.light. lol.
Ill throw a pic up later when i get.off work and home.
D

Dcal · May 18, 2021

UPDATE:

Even with my horrible setup (which has slightly been improved) my nitrates are bottoming out. I used the light I initially ran but swapped the mesh out for what @monkeyCmonkeyDo linked.

I have a lot (too many) fish and nitrates are constantly below 2 on salifert with 0 water changes. Ive had to reduce the photoperiod to about 12 ish hours and im reevaluating at end of the week if i need to increase or decrease again. No new hair algae growth anywhere in DT without having to do any manual removal.