Scrubber vs chaeto.

[MaddReefer]

Need opinions, I have a 450 g. 96x42x24. I want to add either chaeto or algae scrubber, mainly to suck up co2 . Also to be able to reduce my vinegar dosing (100ml). Cant decide which one to choose, scrubber and chaeto.

 

[CC13]

Tagging along.

 

[Journeyman]

I have both. I'm pretty sure the scrubber is more efficient, but both are growing. The chaeto does not grow as fast as it would without the scrubber, but it's not dying.

If I had to choose one or the other, I would run the scrubber.

 

[Bulletsponge]

if you were going large refugium i would say chaeto, scrubber is probably going to be better with space constraints just because the algae is going to grow faster in that than a chaeto reactor

 

[Bramzor]

They will not only consume CO2. If they consume it, they will also consume the other elements so you need to take that into account or those values will drop causing issues for the tank. Also it's not a stable way to export CO2.

 

[CC13]

They will not only consume CO2. If they consume it, they will also consume the other elements so you need to take that into account or those values will drop causing issues for the tank. Also it's not a stable way to export CO2.

Are you referring to the algae scrubber, chaeto or both?

 

[MaddReefer]

They will not only consume CO2. If they consume it, they will also consume the other elements so you need to take that into account or those values will drop causing issues for the tank. Also it's not a stable way to export CO2.

They will absolutely absorb Co2. They will also consume nitrate and phosphates. As far as "elements" Not sure what elements your talking about, I would disagree

 

[symon_say]

Chaeto is easier and export nutrients more slowly, scrubber is more efficient but need more maintenance, both work really nice.

And as Bramzor say, any of those will introduce some kind of unbalance to the system until everything sets, but i thinks the pros out weight the cons.

 

[Bramzor]

Are you referring to the algae scrubber, chaeto or both?

Both. Chaeto uses CO2, some iron and nitrate. Algae scrubber uses the same and a bit more. So as an export method Algae scrubber works better. But you need to have something to export else it might compete with corals.

 

[Journeyman]

Chaeto is easier and export nutrients more slowly, scrubber is more efficient but need more maintenance, both work really nice.

And as Bramzor say, any of those will introduce some kind of unbalance to the system until everything sets, but i thinks the pros out weight the cons.

Depending on your setup, a scrubber can be setup almost as simply as chaeto in a refugium. The upflow ones are just run on an air bubbler under the screen and a light. I run a simple waterfall one on the side of my sump using a hob filter and hanging the screen on the return.

 

[Journeyman]

This is my current scrubber setup on the side of my sump.

 

[Silent]

Why not just use a CO2 scrubber and/or increase surface agitation? If the main purpose is to reduce CO2 or increase oxygen?

 

[symon_say]

This is my current scrubber setup on the side of my sump.

That's a really nice idea... noted.

 

[MaddReefer]

Why not just use a CO2 scrubber and/or increase surface agitation? If the main purpose is to reduce CO2 or increase oxygen?

Already have surface agitation and a large fan on the surface. I have a 6ft skimmer , with the air line plumbed outside. I have 7ft ceilings in my house it tends to hold the co2 in more, at least thats what I think. Also leave the window cracked.