*ULNS* Algae Scrubbers & Refugiums

[Picassoclown]

Hello my fellow reefheads! So I am brand new to the forums and I posted last week that I would like to start a new system in about 2 years. I am gathering all my information before I jump into my second tank and wanted to raise, what I feel, would be a fantastic discussion (especially with the extremely advanced reefers on these forums). I was looking into the whole ULNS system craze and that research has led me into the world of ATS and low nitrite marine plants in refugiums. Let's get this started!

So I was looking into the ZEOVIT system and have come to the conclusion that although it has proven to work and produce some incredible SPS coloration, the ongoing cost, and daily pumping of your ZEOVIT reactor is quite laborious. So, I started to look into other ways to achieve the ULNS, without a massive expense. This led me to ATS. From the research I have done I think I will be using the ATS. From what I have learned is that: 1) Hair algae grows amazingly quick, which allows for nutrient export, 2) extremely low cost to operate, 3) maintenance is reduced to weekly rather than daily, and 4) copepod growth is explosive! However this system also has disadvantages: ATS relies on the nitrogen cycle to consume phosphates and nitrite, where the ZEOVIT, in essence, abolishes the nitrogen cycle by consuming selective nutrients (phosphates & ammonia). With that being said, one of the biggest disadvantages for using the ATS is that it will compete with your macro-algae in your refugium and out-compete it, and is still capable of crashing a system, just like all other systems can do if husbandry is neglected.

However, from what I have also researched. It is very possible to have BOTH a refugium with marco-algae along with an ATS, as long as the refugium uses low nutrient marine plants/algae. I am going to incorporate the ATS into my system mainly do the effectiveness and the explosive growth of copepods, which is great for any tanks, especially those with mandarins. The question I do have for those advanced reefers is this...what low nutrient feeding plants/algae would you all recommend that would allow an ATS to be used as well as a refugium? This is where my continued research is not filling the gaps. All comments/suggestions on this entire topic are welcome!!

 

[Water Dog]

Be wary of starving your coral in an ULN environment. Although I will be using an ATS in my new build, I will be aiming for .03 PO4 and 5-10 NO3 in an all acropora and millepora tank. I intend to get a decent load of fish and will feed them generously with LRS frozen and PE mysis. The goal is to provide enough fish poop to keep the coral properly fed.

 

[Picassoclown]

Be wary of starving your coral in an ULN environment. Although I will be using an ATS in my new build, I will be aiming for .03 PO4 and 5-10 NO3 in an all acropora and millepora tank. I intend to get a decent load of fish and will feed them generously with LRS frozen and PE mysis. The goal is to provide enough fish poop to keep the coral properly fed.

Absolutely water dog. Please excuse me for not stating that supplementation will still be needed as well as generous feedings. Are you still using macro-algae in your refugium?

 

[Hamm Corals]

I have an ATS, and I also have chaetomorpha(mainly for pods), also have a deep sand bed regfugium, and a SCA-301 skimmer. All of my filtration pullsbeverythimg out, when I test I have undetectable NO3 and phosphate at 0.03. I have a 40 breeder display with over 50 corals sps/lps and a few zoas. And heavily stocked with fish, in my experience with this kind of filtration, the key to keeping corals healthy and growing is feeding heavily daily. Every day I feed a cube of one of the following; mysis,brine,Cyclops,marine cuisine with selcon. I also feed flakes and pellets daily. Also feed my corals Every other day a mix of reefroids/reef chili.

 

[Water Dog]

In my new build, I will not be using macroalgae, I will be exclusively running an ATS.

 

[ciscomania]

I have an ATS, and I also have chaetomorpha(mainly for pods), also have a deep sand bed regfugium, and a SCA-301 skimmer. All of my filtration pullsbeverythimg out, when I test I have undetectable NO3 and phosphate at 0.03. I have a 40 breeder display with over 50 corals sps/lps and a few zoas. And heavily stocked with fish, in my experience with this kind of filtration, the key to keeping corals healthy and growing is feeding heavily daily. Every day I feed a cube of one of the following; mysis,brine,Cyclops,marine cuisine with selcon. I also feed flakes and pellets daily. Also feed my corals Every other day a mix of reefroids/reef chili.

So you feed one cube of each everyday or just pick one cube out of the mysis,brine,cyclops,etc to feed per day??

 

[Hamm Corals]

So you feed one cube of each everyday or just pick one cube out of the mysis,brine,cyclops,etc to feed per day??

No I only feed one cube a day,

 

[hart24601]

I don't think you will find much benefit from running two algae based export methods. One will probably do well and the other will suffer, and if both are producing then it probably means they are undersized. If I was to pick a method of algae based export it would be chaeto reactor. They are quite energy efficient and being vertical do not take up much premium horizontal stand or sump space if that is important to you.

Honestly if your goal is ULNS then no algae based export is needed, just simple carbon dosing works fine. Personally I don't use algae based export as I have not felt that I would gain anything by it. Just vodka/vinegar dosing has worked great for me for years. I actually carbon dose now not to control nutrients, but to boost the food chain from the bottom up (bacteria to feed pods and such) for filter feeders and coral.

ATS are just fine, nothing against them, but they are not needed IMO for your goals.

 

[Picassoclown]

Some really good information in this thread everyone. It looks like I will be going to do a ATS with a refugium only with some live rock for copepod growth. I appreciate everyone's input!