Continual flow over algae scrubber screen?

[GH.Reefer]

I feel like a complete dummy, so please be gentle… I recently bought an in sump algae scrubber, and had read where a lot of individuals were running on 12 hour lighting cycles opposite lights in the display tank to help stabilize pH… well I interpreted this to mean the scrubber was just off 12 hours during the day. What I hadn’t even pondered was what the lack of water supply would mean. Just needing to confirm, it’s only the lights that would be off during this “off” period, the water should remain flowing over the screen, aye?

 

[Glenner’sreef]

I feel like a complete dummy, so please be gentle… I recently bought an in sump algae scrubber, and had read where a lot of individuals were running on 12 hour lighting cycles opposite lights in the display tank to help stabilize pH… well I interpreted this to mean the scrubber was just off 12 hours during the day. What I hadn’t even pondered was what the lack of water supply would mean. Just needing to confirm, it’s only the lights that would be off during this “off” period, the water should remain flowing over the screen, aye?

It’s a great question! Definitely the lights should be on a timer and off during day time while you aquarium lights are on. Not 100% sure if water should be stopped as well. I’ll keep following as I’m purchasing one next month!!!

 

[Poochaku]

yes continual flow

 

[laverda]

Igor want the flow 24/7. I would run your light 24/7 until you start to see algae starting to grow, then cut it back. Abdjust your light schedule to control you nutrient levels if you ATS is big enough.

 

[Turbo's Aquatics Verified Sponsor]

Never ever turn off the flow - only when harvesting the algae.

24/7 lighting: you should most definitely NOT do that right away. You need to build up to that, and you may never need that length of photoperiod.

It all depends on your tank/setup. There are many factors so there is not a one-size-fits-all answer (except for "do not run 24/7 from day one"). EDIT: there actually is a bit of an exception to this one, you can probably get away with going straight to 24/7 lighting when you have a very large and well established system (i.e. biologically diverse)

Generally you want moderate flow (just enough to cover the majority of the screen) and something around 8-12 hrs/day with the lights on. Dim them if you can at first. If you can't, that's fine. A new screen (no growth) with a ton of light on it will be slow starting, and intense light will slow it more. You can't hit it with high light levels until there is growth that can adsorb that energy - you'll cause photosaturation and will get nothing (or a giant bald spot and it will eventually fill in from the edges)

 

[SantaMonica Verified Sponsor]

Assuming this is a waterfall, you should never turn off the water. If it is an upflow, you can turn off the air bubbles if you turn off the light too.