60 Cube with Algae Turf Scrubber
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OP
OP
Here is after 10 days. I cleaned the screen and rinsed it off with tap water. Since I can control the LEDs with the dimmer, I increased the intensity to about 60% and I increase the duration of the lights by 2 hrs so they are on from 8pm to 10am.
Before I cleaned the screen.
I know its hard to see but this is after cleaning the screen.
Before I cleaned the screen.
I know its hard to see but this is after cleaning the screen.
OP
OP
This is 19 days worth of growth. I scrapper the screen & rinsed it off with tap water. I increased the intensity to about 70% and will increase the time the LEDs are on to a total of 16hrs from 7pm to 11am.
Before cleaning
After cleaning
Harvest
Before cleaning
After cleaning
Harvest
Great growth for 19 days from zero! I think based on that growth you are taking the right steps, increasing intensity and duration a little at a time.
Also thanks for before/after cleaning pics, that tells a lot of what is going on and how you are maintaining it. Your cleaning was just about perfect, not too thoroughly cleaned. On track!
Also thanks for before/after cleaning pics, that tells a lot of what is going on and how you are maintaining it. Your cleaning was just about perfect, not too thoroughly cleaned. On track!
cthedaytrader
Active Member
Thats looks great. It looks like its working perfectly. How is the tank doing. Any pics of your display as well? Did you have a algae problem before you set it up? Hi nitrates and phosphates prior to setting up the scrubber? I cant wait to get one of these lol
OP
OP
Yes, I have high NO3 & PO4. I used to run a sulfur NO3 reactor which worked very well but it didn't take out PO4. I did have a problem with brown, green & green hair algae. I got mine from https://www.algaescrubbing.com and I happy with it. The owner Floyd R Turbo is very helpful. we emailed back & forth about a wk or 2 before and it put me at ease knowing that he cares about the product that he makes.
OP
OP
Here is 26 days after installing the ATS. I've increase the intensity to about 80% & Im running the LEDs on the ATS from 6pm to 12pm.
I also tested my PO4 & NO3 today PO4 is at 0.19ppm & looks like zero for NO3. I use Hanna for PO4 & Salifert for NO3.
When I started my PO4 was at 0.33ppm & NO3 has always been very low. When I put the ATS online I removed my Sulfur Nitrate remover so the ATS is removing & keeping my NO3 low. I was running PhosGuard & green phosphate pad just to keep PO4 down but it wasn't doing the job. I will post my test results from here on out.
Before cleaning
After cleaning
Harvest
I also tested my PO4 & NO3 today PO4 is at 0.19ppm & looks like zero for NO3. I use Hanna for PO4 & Salifert for NO3.
When I started my PO4 was at 0.33ppm & NO3 has always been very low. When I put the ATS online I removed my Sulfur Nitrate remover so the ATS is removing & keeping my NO3 low. I was running PhosGuard & green phosphate pad just to keep PO4 down but it wasn't doing the job. I will post my test results from here on out.
Before cleaning
After cleaning
Harvest
Good growth and cleaning again! Nice that the scrubber is taking over the denitrator job
OP
OP
32 days in. Looks like the growth has slowed down a bit or maybe is because I cleaned it 6 days ago so I backed down the intensity to about 70% but will keep the LEDs on from 6pm to 12pm. My phosphates are way down!!!!
PO4 = 0.02 ppm Hana
NO3 = 0 Salifert
Before cleaning
After cleaning
Harvest
PO4 = 0.02 ppm Hana
NO3 = 0 Salifert
Before cleaning
After cleaning
Harvest
So 6pm - 12 noon? = 18 hours/day, correct?
Growth looks good, more importantly:
Nice!
cthedaytrader
Active Member
I think that looks great, your tank looks good too. Thanks for the info, I was actually already on the wait list for the new version lol.
I wouldn't say I have a major nutrient problem. I have a slightly different problem, my nitrates are undetectable, phosphates .02, I have tried numerous means of supplemental export( in addition to regular water changes and skimming) and nothing works that well for my tank long term. Despite my parameters I still end up with hair algae( and other algae) in some spots of my display and my attached frag system seems to become a fuge lol. I am hoping that this will become a more efficient natural way of out competing any algae in in the display and frag system.
I think your clean green growth looks like a great result for nutrient export.
I wouldn't say I have a major nutrient problem. I have a slightly different problem, my nitrates are undetectable, phosphates .02, I have tried numerous means of supplemental export( in addition to regular water changes and skimming) and nothing works that well for my tank long term. Despite my parameters I still end up with hair algae( and other algae) in some spots of my display and my attached frag system seems to become a fuge lol. I am hoping that this will become a more efficient natural way of out competing any algae in in the display and frag system.
I think your clean green growth looks like a great result for nutrient export.
OP
OP
Floyd, yes 18 hrs. I agree my PO4 since Oct 2014 has averaged 0.58 ppm.
chedaytrader Floyd is very helpful throughout the entire buying & installation process of the ATS. You wont be disappointed.
chedaytrader Floyd is very helpful throughout the entire buying & installation process of the ATS. You wont be disappointed.
OP
OP
Day 40: WOW lots of growth!!! Im keeping all the settings the same. The LEDs turn on for 18 hrs from 6pm till 12pm.
PO3 = 0.05 ppm Hanna.
NO3 = 0 Salifert
Before cleaning
After cleaning
The Harvest was larger than the size of baseball maybe almost the size of a softball.
PO3 = 0.05 ppm Hanna.
NO3 = 0 Salifert
Before cleaning
After cleaning
The Harvest was larger than the size of baseball maybe almost the size of a softball.
Last edited:
That is a very slick Algae scrubber. Love it. It is really effective too. Keeps algae confined and in light. Nice. Guess I see an example of my next DIY algae scrubber. 
OP
OP
@DeniseAndy I got my Srubber from Bud at Turbo's Aquatics. He is a Sponsor on R2R and has his own Forum system website. Check out the link, his units are really nice and his is very helpful. He customized the LED driver by adding a dimmer & I believe he has other options.
Cool. Then I do not have to make it myself. I will. Thanks.
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