Anyone Run just an ATS

[kdino]

Setting up a new tank and Picked up a CW Algae Turf Scrubber. Is anyone running just an ATS without a skimmer? Those of you with Turf Scrubbers, can I see pics of your sumps?

 

[pluikens]

I do not see an ATS and skimmer performing the same tasks in which one replaces the other. There are many reefers that don't run skimmers, you could do that. If I didn't run my skimmer, I think an increased amount of organic matter would break down and raise my nutrients. If my nutrients were high, I would be looking for ways to export nutrients, one of them being an ATS ( I currently run a skimmer and a cheato refugium on multiple systems, this combination works for me). I also get a lot of aeration from my skimmer that I don't think I would get with just an ATS.

 

[kdino]

Good point on the aeration. Conversely, in a way they both work the same, albeit at different stages. ATS utilizes nutrients to grow algae so that it can consume said nutrients. Skimmer just gets the organics before they can get to that point.