to scrub or not to scrub

[richiero]

i was thinking about installing a scrubber on my 75g dt, right now i have a 32 g sump on it with a 12 g refugium is the fuge big enough? in the fuge is an inch of sand, some rubble rock and Cheato. i am trying to keep algae out of my aquarium, that film algae that grows on my glass and some brown algae on some of my rocks... does the cheato have to tumble in the fuge? should increase flow in the fuge? how big should the cheato ball be maintained too? to keep this stuff out ? right now i have it on a reverse light cycle to control ph swings its lit for 12 hr cycles , its grown from a baseball to a softball size... i have read that the refuge is just as good at the ats scrubber and u dont need one, do i have my fuge set up correct and if so why do i have the algae in my display still? this is my light http://www.marinedepot.com/Hydra_Aqu...FILDTN-vi.html...

i have read a lot of good about the scrubbers and spoke to some knowledgeable people about them so i am leaning that way, but if i can keep my current set up and tweak it so its just as effective i would much rather do that

i feed 1 cube every other day (don't over feed)
15g w/c every week

cal 450
mag 1440
alk 10
ph 8.28-8.38
temp 78
salt 1.025
no3 0
p04 0

thank you all.

 

[beaslbob]

Kill the lights on the display while still maintaining the lights in the fuge.

the display algae will die off while the fuge chaeto should take off.

IMHO you need to get the chaeto expanded in the fuge and fast growing it should keep the display free of algae.

But you first and to make adjustments like with lights to get there.

turf scrubber is good also but optional.

my .02

 

[richiero]

thank you bob

 

[reefndude]

Here's some pics of my sump/fuge with up flow ats.
This is just a mock up. I will build one out of acrylic with leds.

The Ats is sitting in the sump, which overflows into the fuge.

Fuge then overflows into the bubble trap/ media compartment.

From bubble trap to the return. It flows from the bottom to return.


With all chambers overflowing to the next keeps a good water movement through out sump (40g)

 

[reefndude]

Posted wrong pics of sump. far left is where ats sits.
Some pics of my tank. If you didn't notice, no protein skimmer.
I will post pics as soon as photo bucket finishes with maintenance.

 

[reefndude]

I have since added wooden air stones and upgraded air pump. Took a good month maybe two to start growing gha

 

[richiero]

nice set up man thanks for the pics and info

 

[reefndude]

Thanks took the simple approach. Its effective

 

[JMSKI333]

From what I understand, a Refugium needs to be at least half the water volume of your tank to drastically effect PH swings and Algae control. Anything smaller than that and it's just helping a little. FWIW I have a 5 gallon fuge on my 90.... Just sharing info.