ATS

[icecool2]

It was mentioned in another thread that some people on here from ATS's on their tanks. I'm starting to move towards adding one to my tank, I'd love to see what people are doing currently. Anyone running a upflow?

[Packman@90]

I am running an ATS, I have not yet gotten into the upflow yet because my ATS is working great.

[icecool2]

Do you have any pictures of your setup?

[Packman@90]

some pictures of my tank before the ATS

 

[icecool2]

Holy monkey!

[Origami]

That's the in-tank version of an ATS. Many people try it but have been less than satisfied with the aesthetics.

[icecool2]

Haha. That was probably the cleanest water in a reef tank on the east coast.

[Chad]

I like ATS and natural means of filtration... I have run several tanks that way (though not my current one).

 

Chris in Chantilly runs an ATS, though I seldom see him on the boards anymore. DaveW is also planning on naturally filtered water in his massive build (speaking of which, I wonder how that's going!).

 

I haven't run across an "upflow" method before, though, care to elaborate a bit more?

[Chad]

BTW, there is a forum dedicated to algal turf scrubbers for those who were not aware of it.

 

http://algaescrubber.net/forums/

[icecool2]

I don't know a whole heck of a lot about the upflows, I just started reading about ATS in general last week while looking for a more natural filtration approach. They are the same basic concept as a regular ATS, but you use a bubbler to run air up them while submerged rather than water down them in air. The results seem to be showing that you can get huge results from a really small scrubber. There is one for sale on that site you listed for $59 that mounts on the side of the tank or sump with a magnet and has LEDs and the airstone built in. It can keep a 75g(?) tank clean at a fraction of the size and power.

[Ryan S]

I haven't run across an "upflow" method before, though, care to elaborate a bit more?

 

http://algaescrubber.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?17-The-new-Upflow-Algae-Scrubber-%28UAS%29

[icecool2]

Here's the one I was talking about....

 

http://www.santa-monica.cc/Hang-On-Glass-HOG-Upflow-Algae-Scrubber-UAS--05-Cubes-feeding-per-day_p_21.html

 

Seems that this only factor is the amount you feed? Not size of tank?

[Chad]

Been a while since I have played on SMs site... he's been busy!

 

Interesting stuff. I can immediately see the bubble concept would work (with less energy, probably, too), though I don't see how the "capacity" of the ATS would go up.

 

To me, algae based filtration is driven either by the rate of removal OR the size of the "filter." Increased algal biomass is the name of the game... Which usually means more real estate devoted to the filter.

[icecool2]

I'm waiting to see results from people on the site before I go and buy one. I like the idea of it being small and relatively cheap and using only about 15 watts with the air pump.

[Origami]

I like that it's rather compact, but how do people deal with salt creep from the bubbles that pop at the surface with this new approach?

[Chad]

Build one and try it out!!

 

 

It looks like it's probably <$50 in parts.

[Chad]

I like that it's rather compact, but how do people deal with salt creep from the bubbles that pop at the surface with this new approach?

 

Having started my first SW tanks with UG filters and airstones.... that is a messy (and dry wall eating) problem

 

In my experience of trying such bubble making things (surge boxes and the like), capturing the bubbles in a chamber and venting it through a labrynth minimizes, but doesn't eliminate the problem.

[icecool2]

I have a covered sump to keep the bubbles and creep to a minimum.

[Packman@90]

Pictures after I had my ATS running for two months.

 

[icecool2]

Wow! Absolutely night and day difference.

[Origami]

Great before & after pictures!

[flooddc]

Wow! this got me interested in ATS. Are there ATS in the market or it's DIY only?

[roni]

There are some nice DIY for sale on that forum...a bit pricey but nice. Building it yourself for something that doesn't look as nice shouldn't be more then $50 in parts. There is a nice build thread on rc.

[Integral9]

I put a piece of egg crate (8"x8") in my fuge to give the macro more stuff to grown on. I set it right in front of the inlet give it maximum flow. I'm not sure, but would that count as ATS? So far it's working great and growing algea very well. I can pull out several cups of algea almost every week.

[Origami]

Wow! this got me interested in ATS. Are there ATS in the market or it's DIY only?

For the most part, it's really an easy concept to implement. Just give some (removable) surface decent flow of well oxygenated water and some light. If you build it, algae will come. Then, from time to time, harvest the algae by scraping half of it off and disposing of it outside the tank.