Best Algae turf scrubber???

[VintageReefer]

Do you think there is an appreciable difference in a similarly sized Surf vs HOG (hang on glass)?

I know the hog works but if given a choice I would go with the surf. The horizontal layout grows more evenly but both will get the job done.

Surf is also easier to harvest. You don’t have to get wet. Remove lid, grab algae. Dispose. Replace lid. Ok minimal wet from touching algae.

Hog you need to reach under water and remove from the glass, and then when the inner part is separated and being brought out of the water, pieces of algae could fall out into the sump causing mess

 

[enebrac]

I use the foursquare aquatic ats for my 500g. Although it's a bit expensive, it's very convenient when cleaning. Grows about a gallon bag of algae in 1-2weeks.

 

[ADAM]

I’ve been using an IceCap AGS-100 Pro In-Sump scrubber since 9/2021 without any issues and love it.

 

[VintageReefer]

I use the foursquare aquatic ats for my 500g. Although it's a bit expensive, it's very convenient when cleaning. Grows about a gallon bag of algae in 1-2weeks.

Never heard of it. Took a look and definitely looks like a well designed unit

 

[Gribbles]

I don't know about best as I have only used one brand. I run @SantaMonica surf 4x on my WB 330.7. When I started the tank I decided I wanted to run a cryptic fuge with an ATS. Being cryptic I needed one that didn't have a lot of light spill. Some I looked at were made of a translucent material and look like a glowing box. The Surf has zero light spill. Also it just floats in the sump so I have more room for rock and no plumbing is required just electricity for the LEDs and an air pump.

Tang food

I like it so well I put a surf 2 in this 40g breeder and just have it floating in a corner.

Very cool sump! Is it primarily filled with live rock? Would love if you could point me to where you talk about it in your tank thread if you do!

 

[Paul B]

I don't know as I built the thing for about five bucks. I didn't even know they sold them. :beaming-face-with-smiling-eyes:

 

[exnisstech]

Very cool sump! Is it primarily filled with live rock? Would love if you could point me to where you talk about it in your tank thread if you do!

Its all live rock. I don't go into a lot of detail in my thread. If you google cryptic refugium or cryptic zone you'll find quite a bit of info.

 

[Dave-T]

I use the foursquare aquatic ats for my 500g. Although it's a bit expensive, it's very convenient when cleaning. Grows about a gallon bag of algae in 1-2weeks.

The owner of the company had a great article in coral magazine a couple issues ago, about his experiments playing with light cycles and optimizing algae growth in turf scrubbers.

 

[Gerj]

I used the HOG in a freshwater clown loach grow out aquarium. They work well, but the amount of algae that grows on the glass is a drawback as you must sometimes move it about. Not a problem if you have fish that will eat what grows on the glass, otherwise extra maintenance, and despite your best efforts, GHA (what will likely be on the glass) will be out and about in the water column. Definitely would not recommend for an acrylic tank.

 

[Dr. D]

I’m happy to find this thread. I was interested in Santa Monica, but concerned to see nothing on YouTube newer than 4, 6, or even 11 years old. This helps.

 

[BryanM]

I’m happy to find this thread. I was interested in Santa Monica, but concerned to see nothing on YouTube newer than 4, 6, or even 11 years old. This helps.

Maybe youtube is dated for them, but I contacted them for support and they were very responsive and helpful. I would not hesitate to buy from them again.

 

[exnisstech]

Its too bad people are pessimistic about a product just because the YouTube shills and self centered content creators don't promote it. I don't have much use for YouTube other than posting tank videos so I can link them here.

 

[Gribbles]

Its too bad people are pessimistic about a product just because the YouTube shills and self centered content creators don't promote it. I don't have much use for YouTube other than posting tank videos so I can link them here.

It's nice to see an unboxing, setup, and in-use video of a product before purchasing. I do it every time I make a purchase... YouTube, company website, whichever method.

 

[DanyL]

I built my own upflow scrubber a few months ago - it didn’t take much time nor did it cost much either (mainly the lighting).

It was actually meant to be just a prototype before designing and 3D printing a proper scrubber, but it really does work quite well as is.

This is a week of growth.

Screen:

Back of the screen:

 

[exnisstech]

It's nice to see an unboxing, setup, and in-use video of a product before purchasing. I do it every time I make a purchase... YouTube, company website, whichever method.

I get that even tho I don't do it. Would you consider purchasing a product that wasn't promoted on YouTube? That was the point i was trying to make. @Dr. D was concerned about choosing a Santa Monica scrubber because they could not find any recent YouTube videos on them. I think that's a shame but it is the times we live in I suppose.

 

[JoJosReef]

I only consider products promoted by @VintageReefer . Joking, joking!! But then again...

 

[Dr. D]

I get that even tho I don't do it. Would you consider purchasing a product that wasn't promoted on YouTube? That was the point i was trying to make. @Dr. D was concerned about choosing a Santa Monica scrubber because they could not find any recent YouTube videos on them. I think that's a shame but it is the times we live in I suppose.

YouTube is the #1 search engine today. Not sure why that’s a red flag if somebody uses it to gain knowledge. I’m well past the age when I can be called old or grumpy, and I use it all the time. Learned how to drywall, frame, do plumbing, do basic electrical work, build a huge 2-story deck, re-plaster my pool, and start a 100g reef tank from YT. I have three graduate degrees and I’ve probably leaned more on the whole from YouTube. It’s an autodidact’s heaven. It’s not a shame.

 

[Dr. D]

Based on the recommendations here (@VintageReefer didn't steer me wrong with his Walter Lid advice) I’ve ordered a Surf 2x. I would still appreciate some updated dual-output air pump ideas as the one recommended on the Santa Monica website (the Tetra Whisper AP) seems to be many years old and has very mixed reviews.

 

[VintageReefer]

It's nice to see an unboxing, setup, and in-use video of a product before purchasing. I do it every time I make a purchase... YouTube, company website, whichever method.

In use - impervious to salt creep and completely sealed and waterproof led lid, unit is silent. No light spill when lid is in place. 1000 par of red led behind a custom designed refracted lens

Then every 10-14 days can this is how you harvest. Takes 3 seconds! No scraping! Just grab a handful, throw it out, feed some to tangs, whatever. And it will regrow over the next period

Keep in mind this algae is highly efficient at nutrient absorption, depending what you read - it’s 6-10 more nutrient bound than chaeto and it grows faster. It’s it’s own thing. It’s like a hair algae chaeto hybrid. It doesn’t really root/anchor strongly, you can see removal is effortless

 

[VintageReefer]

Based on the recommendations here (@VintageReefer didn't steer me wrong with his Walter Lid advice) I’ve ordered a Surf 2x. I would still appreciate some updated dual-output air pump ideas as the one recommended on the Santa Monica website (the Tetra Whisper AP) seems to be many years old and has very mixed reviews.

This is the best air pump for the surf 2/2x

https://a.co/d/bQ30Uit
Its single output but comes with a Y splitter. I’ve used and gone through many many air pumps. This one’s quality and power is unmatched for the price range.

Surf 2 series needs min of 5 LPM and this 8w model does 10 LPM. Turn the dial to max, back off maybe 1/8 turn and it’s absolutely silent