Creating a greener, cleaner reef: Have you used an algae reactor?

[Peace River]

Creating a greener, cleaner reef: Have you used an algae reactor?

Although sometimes algae seems like the enemy of a reef keeper, it can also be a useful tool. It is possible to fight algae with algae, and algae can also be a great way to assist with nutrient control. Loose algae can often be problematic so containing the algae in an algae turf scrubber or an algae reactor are approaches that many reefers have used with success. Whether you have tried a DIY approach or purchased a commercial product, have you used an algae reactor? If so, please let us know how it worked for you and feel free to share any tips or recommendations with the R2R community!

Photo by @Amateur Reefer


This QOTD is sponsored by: www.dinkinsaquaticgardens.com

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[Dburr1014]

Nope, just cheato in a refuge.
Not sure how that is greener. Need another pump, no? More pumps=bigger carbon footprint.

 

[Daniel@R2R]

I haven't, but would really like to try one on my next reef.

 

[vlangel]

No reactor, just ornamental macroalgae growing in the display.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I would probably try one with my next reef!

 

[Oiseaufeu]

I don’t see the point of having an algea reactor.

 

[Red_Beard]

I keep hearing all the hype with ATS's and have been contemplating getting one going to see. Definitely going to DIY it though. $300+ for a plastic box that grows algae is ridiculous.

 

[italquam]

I use a Turbo Aquatics Algae scrubber, the item is built great , Bud Carlson offers hands on support. I assume algae reactor works similar to an algae scrubber, just a different design

 

[KrisReef]

I thought about it but a dude at a LFS asked me if I really needed it while he explained to me why he didn't think I did. So I didn't.

 

[Oiseaufeu]

I keep hearing all the hype with ATS's and have been contemplating getting one going to see. Definitely going to DIY it though. $300+ for a plastic box that grows algae is ridiculous.

Geez! I’m not doing that at all. I’d rather do a hob refugium for 50$ than having a reactor!

 

[shakacuz]

i’ll stick to the cheaper alternative, running a regular refugium section. i can understand wanting a more “clean” sump to work in when it comes to cleaning or having space for other reactors, but that’s not for me as both do the same thing

 

[Not_Erick]

I’ve never used on personally, but I’ve know people who have and it’s mixed results. What works for some may not work for others

 

[d2mini]

i have a Santa Monica scrubber arriving tomorrow.
First time in my reefing career to use anything other than a refugium with chaeto.

 

[italquam]

This is algae scrubber collection

 

[GARRIGA]

Running a diy Fuge. Cheaper and easier to manage but I’ve considered them due to the ergonomics of plumbing it like a canister. Tunz does have a winner and might try that if price drops because that’s way too much for a cylinder and light. Perhaps don’t use acrylic. Most everything in reefing is made of acrylic or other material more expensive then piece of plastic or is it perhaps tooling to produce a plastic something? Perhaps 3D printing because reefing keeps getting more expensive then it should. Off my soap box made of acrylic lol

 

[Treefer32]

I have a 6 going on 7 year old Algae Turf Scrubber (L4) from Turbo Aquatics. It does an amazing job at keeping hair and filementous algae out of my display. Two complaints:

1. Hair algae grows way too fast in the scrubber. It's pushing on the walls of the scrubber within 7-10 days at most. Cleaning is relatively easy, but don't like doing it weekly.

2. It's not large enough for my 340 gallon display. Phosphates slowly climb week to week if I don't use lanthinum or something else to bind phosphates. Algae grows rapidly, just not fast enough to maintain pace with my display.

I'm curious what size the scrubber needs to be for larger tanks. I feed the equivalent of around 5-6 frozen cubes a day and feed a freeze-dried food a couple times a day.

I love that it's natural, gives food for pods, prevents growth of algae on the rocks!

Costly investment! I'd upgrade to a larger ATS if it didn't cost another $1000. And I have no desire to clean two scrubbers every week (And don't have the room for two.

I also use a reef mat, and a skimmer as well as a denitration factory - cannister filter filled with matrix rock instead of filter cartridge. Nitrates stay around 10-15 and phosphates climb to .3 ppm.

 

[paintman]

Added a clearwater scrubber. best thing I ever did!

 

[italquam]

Added a clearwater scrubber. best thing I ever did!

Love the fish room, any more pictures

 

[paragrouper]

Chaeto in the refugium
Halimeda in the DT

works for me.

 

[italquam]

Chaeto in the refugium
Halimeda in the DT

works for me.

any photos of the Halimeda, what do you recommend for keeping it? I always have wanted to keep it