Southpawzzz
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Any updates
RAIN 2 Installation and Start Up
- Thread starter Waboss
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OP
OP
Waboss
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Nothing really of note as far as the scrubber is concerned.
Growth has slowed down and now I'm dealing with hair algae and diatoms in the main tank (first time since the original cycle). I don't think it's from the scrubber though. I was on vacation for 10 days and didn't realize I adjusted my auto feeder too much and it was overfeeding during that time. What I am surprised by is that it didn't seem to help keep the nitrate levels down and it even stopped growing much at all (there was almost no growth on the screen when I got back). I'm guessing that's due to the algae in the main tank fighting for the nutrients at that point.
Anyway, I'm thinking about pulling it and going back to "the old way" with a skimmer and water changes to handle things.
That's disheartening... one would think that despite the overfeeding, the ATS would've provided the ideal environment for the nuisance algae to grow and spare the DT. 
I am not a fan after reading things online about the rain 2 and seeing videos on Youtube. Look at this vid after 4 weeks running one. To me that growth looks poor and what's with the big white area in the middle, something is clearly nit working as you should expect.
Those are actually the OP's videos from earlier in this thread. 
Decisions, decisions... trying to figure out if I should go with an ATS or a refugium on new build that I'm currently assembling...
Decisions, decisions... trying to figure out if I should go with an ATS or a refugium on new build that I'm currently assembling...
Right, Yeah I see that now. I would be very disappointed with my ATS if it had only got to that stage after 3 months. I have a cheap Seabreeze ATS which did much better but all tanks are different when it comes to ATS's and maturing of the screen. I have just ordered a new ATS being built here in the UK called the Atlantis. They do 3 models but can also make a bespoke one for you.
It's a revised ATS with a number of improvements previously called the HF series of which there are 3 models.
Below is a YouTube vid of the HF2 taken 2 years ago as yet there is not one on the new ATS's but I will do a series of reviews on my YouTube channel with regular updates. I am expecting mine the Atlantis2 by the weekend.
The spec's
Introducing the new design of my HF series Algae Turf Scrubbers the Atlantis
It is a new design based upon the HF Series but with new features.
Some of the new upgraded features are a new design of drain system
The main drain is now 40mm and both of the drains are now fitted to the bottom of the units with the Main drain pipe supplied with 2 built in baffle plates to reduce noise and bubbles.
A better design for the removal of the lighting system by way of clip on lids.
The lighting system now has been sealed in this will prevent any salt creep getting in on the LEDs.
And also supplied with every unit a new light blocker which will prevent any build up of algae within the slot tube.
The Atlantis models can be supplied in any colour of your choice
There are 3 models dependant upon feeds.
The Atlantis 1 for up to 2 feeds a day
The Atlantis 2 for 3 feeds a day
The Atlantis 3 for 4 feeds a day
Prices for these new models
Atlantis 1 £348
Atlantis 2 £376
Atlantis 3 £434
Includes postage and packing to the UK only.
All of these units are built on a build to order basis with a turn around of approx 2 weeks .
Algae Turf Scrubbers-CI
OP
OP
Waboss
Valuable Member
The more I think about it, the more I think I'm going to play around with it more before I make a final decision to pull it or not.
I think I'm going to start with increasing the flow for now. Once I get the algae outbreaks in my display under control, I'll start playing with the nutrient levels in the tank (feeding more/less, shutting the skimmer down for part of the day, stuff like that).
On a side note, I need to clean the tray in a vinegar bath........too much coraline build up on it and it's bugging me.
I think I'm going to start with increasing the flow for now. Once I get the algae outbreaks in my display under control, I'll start playing with the nutrient levels in the tank (feeding more/less, shutting the skimmer down for part of the day, stuff like that).
On a side note, I need to clean the tray in a vinegar bath........too much coraline build up on it and it's bugging me.
Well, you don't seem to have been doing anything wrong so to me it's just failed if so that is a shame as I would have liked to have seen thick growth of light coloured GHA growing on the screen and harvesting it weekly or at least every 10 days. I guess you can only try the things you are suggesting but I am far from sure they will make much of a difference not that you shouldn't try. Good luck as it seems you have very little so far.
I guess it goes to show that each tank is different... even with ATS results. Look at this guy's results using a Rain2 on a Biocube 29. Seeing the same bald spot in the middle shows that these Gem5 lights could really use a dimmer or at least a light diffuser. He's got some incredible growth though.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/rain2-and-a-lazy-reefer.282526/
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/rain2-and-a-lazy-reefer.282526/
Well it does go to show and as I said earlier each tank is different but that hole in GHS in the middle is very strange indeed.
OP
OP
Waboss
Valuable Member
Yep, I think my tank may just not be good for a scrubber. I've had it running at about 280GPH since my last message and have almost no growth.
Now to be fair, I waited a week, and had almost no growth and had to start dosing NoPox again to start getting rid of the algae bloom in my tank. So I'm not too surprised that there hasn't been much since then, but I would have thought I'd have a lot more in that first week.
I think I'm just going to pull it, since I can't seem to get it dialed in for my tank.
Here's what it looked like 5 minutes ago.
Now to be fair, I waited a week, and had almost no growth and had to start dosing NoPox again to start getting rid of the algae bloom in my tank. So I'm not too surprised that there hasn't been much since then, but I would have thought I'd have a lot more in that first week.
I think I'm just going to pull it, since I can't seem to get it dialed in for my tank.
Here's what it looked like 5 minutes ago.
Unless you have not enough nutrients to grow any algae what so ever in your tank and hence not a scrap of algae in it then an algae scrubber might not grow algae. However it would be hard to envisage and tank with not a ķsingle scrap of algae anywhere even if you can't see it. I don't know your tank or if there is any algae to be seen in it but from what I have gathered from your posts it would appear your rain 2 is simply a failure and perhaps not fit for the porpoise.
I just find it pretty discouraging (as I'm sure you do too) that you have nuisance algae growth in your DT tank yet so little growth in the ATS... The main principle of having an ATS in the first place is to provide an environment for GHA to thrive and outcompete nuisance algae in the DT.
I'm wondering if the inability to dim the LEDs is detrimental to allowing the algae to gain a proper foothold on the growth screen. All of the growth patterns the we've seen have that bald (burnt) spot in the middle.
MaccaPopEye
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Hey mate, sorry to read about your issues with the scrubber. I wouldn't blame your tank though. If you can grow GHA in the display and not on the scrubber then it is 100% a scrubber design issue. The point of them is to create the perfect environment for GHA to grow so that it doesn't want to grow in the display, yours is obviously not doing that at all.
To be honest while they are expensive if I was to buy a scrubber it would be from turbo aquatics, no other pre built scrubbers come close. Otherwise I would just DIY one, get the screen size, flow and lighting right and you shouldn't haven any issues. They can be cheap or expensive yet still do the job well.
