Switched from Triton to ATI essentials

USMA36 · Aug 25, 2018

I switched from Triton Core 7 other methods to ATI essentials about 1 week ago. I made the switch because I couldn’t rely on the availability of Triton. My tank is 1.5 years old and about 100 gallons total water volume. So far everything seems good. The only thing I have noticed on the negative side is that my chaeto is starting to disintegrate. I’m not sure if it’s due to the switch, but that’s the way I am leaning. I removed about 2/3 and I’m hoping it will recover. The chaeto gets soft then it starts to disintegrate. Has anyone else made this switch. Right now I am running ATI as I did triton. Dosing into the first compartment. First compartment is chaeto second is skimmer third is return pump. I’d really like to switch my chaeto to the second chamber and move the skimmer to the first. Will this mess anything up? The chaeto fouls my skimmer and carbon pumps the little bits that break away. Switching would help me avoid this. The little bits get caught in a sponge between the second and third compartment so at least it’s not getting into my tank or fowling my return pump. Any other advice about ATI essentials is also welcome.

Amoo · Aug 25, 2018

@Rakie has been on ATI essentials for a year, and I'm in your boat, about to switch from Tritcon - Other to ATI, got my ATI in this week, just need to mix it up.

marinesnow · Aug 25, 2018

I use ATI, and my chaeto is happy. However if you were using triton core 7, it contains extra iron, molybdenum, etc... to support chaeto growth, whereas ATI does not. Perhaps your chaeto isn’t used to it. If it’s still growing and your nitrates stay in check, I personally wouldn’t worry about it.

Rakie · Aug 25, 2018

not all things tolerate change well -- even algae. i did not have that experience but my corals all freaked out for a week when i changed. all is well after adjustment to the new program

teller · Aug 25, 2018

Maybe you should try dosing two little fishes Iron Concentrate, Kent Iron & Manganese or the newer product from Brightwells ChaetoGro.
These seem to provide the extra amount of traces for macro algae health.

marinesnow · Aug 25, 2018

Deleting reply. The guy above me covered it.

USMA36 · Aug 25, 2018

I’ll look into the chaeto grow. Thank you. How about changing the location of the chaeto in the sump. Does it have to be in the first compartment or can I move it to the second and the skimmer to the first.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Aug 25, 2018

USMA36 said:
I’ll look into the chaeto grow. Thank you. How about changing the location of the chaeto in the sump. Does it have to be in the first compartment or can I move it to the second and the skimmer to the first.

What is different between those compartments in your setup?

USMA36 · Aug 25, 2018

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
What is different between those compartments in your setup?

Nothing really. Triton for whatever reason recommends dosing into the chaeto in the first compartment and skimmer in the second. I would rather the other way around so the little bits of chaeto don’t clog my skimmer pump. Not sure if it makes a difference or not or why triton wants it that way.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Aug 25, 2018

USMA36 said:
Nothing really. Triton for whatever reason recommends dosing into the chaeto in the first compartment and skimmer in the second. I would rather the other way around so the little bits of chaeto don’t clog my skimmer pump. Not sure if it makes a difference or not or why triton wants it that way.

It seems fine to me to put macroalgae in the first and a skimmer and dosing in the second.