Decadence February 3, 2013 February 3, 2013 I'm posting out of curiosity. On every other forum which I am a member of, there is a huge divide between the people who use algae to their advantage and people who believe this to causing more harm than good. The discussions can often get very heated. I run an algae turf scrubber, huge skimmer, filter sock and GFO on a bare bottom tank with a ton of flow. The tank is stocked very heavily with fish and full of SPS with amazing growth and color. Thanks to the ATS, I have been able to maintain undetectable phosphate (<0.015ppm) and nitrate (<1ppm) levels while only changing around 2 gallons of water per week (of course, with dosing). So did I open a can of worms or is this a "hey, whatever works for you.." forum?
flooddc February 3, 2013 February 3, 2013 Personally, whatever works. I recalled seeing numerous members here running ATS. Post some pics of you setup and share your knowledge. Also, you mentioned that you only changed 2 gal/week, but you did not indicate your tank size!
jimlin February 3, 2013 February 3, 2013 do you have a picture of your scrubber? i am assuming your scrubber is located in the sump/fuge and was wondering how you prevent the loose algae that come off of the screen from getting into the display.
Decadence February 3, 2013 Author February 3, 2013 I guess I could see why somebody might worry about something like that but the algae that grows on the screen is actually pretty tough. Scrubber + 75g of GFO (half of what is recommended for a tank this size) Reef Octopus EXT200 w/ bubble blaster hy3000s pump and a filter sock from the display Display (crappy cell camera can't handle the colors) We have 14 fish and counting and feed like the economy isn't trash.
davelin315 February 3, 2013 February 3, 2013 As with any forum, you'll have your share of detractors and doubters but I'd say in general this forum is very progressive. We look to see what works and will dissect it to no end but we definitely want to get better in what we do. There are a quite a few threads on ATS systems here so share the details of yours!
AlanM February 3, 2013 February 3, 2013 I'm interested in seeing the details too. Maybe this doesn't bode well for my future success (where most TOTM owners preach stability over constantly changing coditions), but part of what I'm looking forward to with my tank is being able to try stuff like this. ATS, bucket remote DSB, macro and rubble in a fuge. All kind of sounds fun.
jimlin February 3, 2013 February 3, 2013 cool, other setups i seen used some kind of foam thing to trap loose algae and i was concerned of it getting clogged, but since it is not needed, i will continue as planned. i never had a under the tank fuge/sump which is why i am asking this. is a filter sock necessary? this is what i plan to do. chamber 1 : drain with skimmer 3 baffle bubble diffuser. chamber 2: fuge with scrubber on top and heater. chamber 3: return
Sharkey18 February 3, 2013 February 3, 2013 This is a pretty friendly group in general and plenty of people here have discussed using ATS and have used them successfully without setting off a major feud. I for one am dying to set up an ATS, just haven't gotten around to it. Very glad to see yours and here about your good results.
smallreef February 3, 2013 February 3, 2013 Im a Macro Algae LOVER!! i try to keep some planted leaf caulerpa in my DT... but my angel and hermits LOVE it so much they keep mowing it down :( I would run an ATS if i had a heavy load... maybe on my next FOWLR
John February 3, 2013 February 3, 2013 I've always wanted to try an ATS...after looking at yours it looks like you are using two pumps, one input, one output...ever have a failure where it either runs dry or floods? What fail-safe have you implemented, if any to prevent either scenario?
Decadence February 3, 2013 Author February 3, 2013 I'm very relieved to find out that this is a more open-minded group. I may have to switch over to here as my regular forum. To answer the few questions, I don't run any kind of screen on the return pump; I just let it suck up the things that fall off and they either find their way to the skimmer or to the mouths of my cleaner crew or herbivores. Running a bare bottom tank with a ton of flow (in the display and sump) keeps it from settling somewhere and breaking down. I only have one pump for the ATS. The mesh is gravity fed by the overflow of my sump and the pump returns water back to the tank. This was the only way that I could have the screen mounted as low in the system as it is. The evaporations changes the level in the ATS tub so that is where auto top-off is.
flooddc February 3, 2013 February 3, 2013 Nicely growth corals. I have a bunch of algae growing in my refugium (especially, on the output of my skimmer and input of the return chamber). Never bother to clean them. Would this consider a mini ATS?
Decadence February 3, 2013 Author February 3, 2013 Nicely growth corals. I have a bunch of algae growing in my refugium (especially, on the output of my skimmer and input of the return chamber). Never bother to clean them. Would this consider a mini ATS? My mind is telling me no.... but my heart is telling me yes!
Sharkey18 February 3, 2013 February 3, 2013 I have an ulva scrubber. A bunch of ulva growing on eggcrate that I harvest every 4 to 5 days. This is a pic right after harvest.
Sharkey18 February 3, 2013 February 3, 2013 Wow. That is some awesome gross-ness. How often do you harvest?
Origami February 3, 2013 February 3, 2013 I'm open to turf scrubbers. Great natural way to lock up nutrients and provide a great home for pods to develop. (Sent from my phone)
AlanM February 3, 2013 February 3, 2013 Have you seen this guys algae scrubber? Looks like he's growing a forest in there. How can he possibly be feeding enough to grow that much algae? Maybe he confused the 2part dosing containers for his reef tank and the macro fertilizers for his plant tank. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showpost.php?p=21103931&postcount=42
Decadence February 3, 2013 Author February 3, 2013 I harvest every week. Man, that screen covered in GHA is what I want! I have been working on a new ATS which will be an acrylic hanging unit with LEDs.
Scott_LM February 4, 2013 February 4, 2013 I would be interested in hearing a summary of what harm people think an ATS can do to a system???
smallreef February 4, 2013 February 4, 2013 I truly think the only harm would come from an algae die off that isnt caught quickly enough.. other than the possible fire issues...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now