otyrrell
New Member
Hi All,
I recently upgraded my tank and had planned to build a DIY algae scrubber, specifically trying to match some features that the APIS scrubbers tout, without having to drop the gutwrenching amount of cash they were asking for such a common DIY solutions. Specifically, looking for compact footprint, minimal light spill, and ease of cleaning. Well after 2 attempts, at making my own. (one that I made .5 inches too big for my stand, and one that split from the heat of my lights) I finally accepted that it was time to throw in the towel so I could get a scrubber up and working on my new setup.
Enter the APIS-60 ATS from Four Square Aquatics. After almost vomiting at the price, researching other options, I finally accepted that I was going to spend twice the money on a scrubber that meet the criteria I was looking for. One of my biggest concerns when ordering this ATS was the lack of info I could find online, I saw several good reviews, giving props to build quality, and that it worked great, but they were a bit vague for my taste. So after buying the dang thing, I though I should share my feelings to help out anyone thinking about throwing the better part of a grand at a very fancy ATS.
SO here it is.
The APIS is pretty... I mean, look at this shiny black box!!!
It came well packed, and survived shipping in its own package (which really is just a plain box).
Setup is simple, you plug in the pipes, slide, and tighten the bulkheads, and hang the screen. Super easy, the challenge is finding where you can place it that it will drain into your sump. As you can see above, I did a bit of modifications to a wire rack and ran the pipe into the side of my sump. Not the easiest, but that was mainly due to my choice of placement. If you had a larger sump, and room above, it would probably be easier to place.
So, as for build quality, and design. This thing is solid, the Acrylic is cut perfectly, and each piece fits snugly together. Welds all look solid and its made of nice 1/4 thick acrylic so it feel good and strong. The design makes sense and works well, its a bit boxy for my taste, but that is to house the beefy black box esq grow lights while blocking any and all light leakage. It works as intended, keeping light, sound and water inside the box, while still making it easy to access and clean.
Well How does it work you might ask. It work great... in fact I was blown away.
10 days after install you can see initial growth. I gave the screen a quick rinse and reinserted.
5 days later I pulled the drawer to do my weekly maintenance and this is what I found.
That is 3 cups of Lush Green Algae. No slime, or browning. Just gorgeous nutrient export.
It took about 5 minutes to clean, reassemble and have back up and running.
Things I like:
-The center chamber makes it so easy to remove and walk across the house for cleaning at the nearest sink
-Super easy to dissemble and clean.
-Growth
Things I don't like...:
-OMG that price tag!!!
- Fans are just barely audible... not silent.
Final Thoughts. Its a solid build product, with a fantastic design. I think that the box will hold up through several sets of lights, and due to design It should be easy to replace the lights when the time comes. It hurts to pay so much, but for me, the ease of cleaning, and the space saved in my stand was a fair trade. I'm slightly worried how the screen size will hold up on my 125 gallon tank, but at the moment it looks like it is doing great keeping my levels in check.
Current tank ( I swear I will get my new build thread up this month!)
125 Mixed Reef
Lots of Fish, Lots of Coral
Over Fed (I blame the wife)
Current Levels after first cleaning.
Temp -79.7, Nitrate - 5, Phosphate - .01
Salinity - 1.025, Alk - 8.2, Cal - 444
I recently upgraded my tank and had planned to build a DIY algae scrubber, specifically trying to match some features that the APIS scrubbers tout, without having to drop the gutwrenching amount of cash they were asking for such a common DIY solutions. Specifically, looking for compact footprint, minimal light spill, and ease of cleaning. Well after 2 attempts, at making my own. (one that I made .5 inches too big for my stand, and one that split from the heat of my lights) I finally accepted that it was time to throw in the towel so I could get a scrubber up and working on my new setup.
Enter the APIS-60 ATS from Four Square Aquatics. After almost vomiting at the price, researching other options, I finally accepted that I was going to spend twice the money on a scrubber that meet the criteria I was looking for. One of my biggest concerns when ordering this ATS was the lack of info I could find online, I saw several good reviews, giving props to build quality, and that it worked great, but they were a bit vague for my taste. So after buying the dang thing, I though I should share my feelings to help out anyone thinking about throwing the better part of a grand at a very fancy ATS.
SO here it is.
The APIS is pretty... I mean, look at this shiny black box!!!
It came well packed, and survived shipping in its own package (which really is just a plain box).
Setup is simple, you plug in the pipes, slide, and tighten the bulkheads, and hang the screen. Super easy, the challenge is finding where you can place it that it will drain into your sump. As you can see above, I did a bit of modifications to a wire rack and ran the pipe into the side of my sump. Not the easiest, but that was mainly due to my choice of placement. If you had a larger sump, and room above, it would probably be easier to place.
So, as for build quality, and design. This thing is solid, the Acrylic is cut perfectly, and each piece fits snugly together. Welds all look solid and its made of nice 1/4 thick acrylic so it feel good and strong. The design makes sense and works well, its a bit boxy for my taste, but that is to house the beefy black box esq grow lights while blocking any and all light leakage. It works as intended, keeping light, sound and water inside the box, while still making it easy to access and clean.
Well How does it work you might ask. It work great... in fact I was blown away.
10 days after install you can see initial growth. I gave the screen a quick rinse and reinserted.
5 days later I pulled the drawer to do my weekly maintenance and this is what I found.
That is 3 cups of Lush Green Algae. No slime, or browning. Just gorgeous nutrient export.
It took about 5 minutes to clean, reassemble and have back up and running.
Things I like:
-The center chamber makes it so easy to remove and walk across the house for cleaning at the nearest sink
-Super easy to dissemble and clean.
-Growth
Things I don't like...:
-OMG that price tag!!!
- Fans are just barely audible... not silent.
Final Thoughts. Its a solid build product, with a fantastic design. I think that the box will hold up through several sets of lights, and due to design It should be easy to replace the lights when the time comes. It hurts to pay so much, but for me, the ease of cleaning, and the space saved in my stand was a fair trade. I'm slightly worried how the screen size will hold up on my 125 gallon tank, but at the moment it looks like it is doing great keeping my levels in check.
Current tank ( I swear I will get my new build thread up this month!)
125 Mixed Reef
Lots of Fish, Lots of Coral
Over Fed (I blame the wife)
Current Levels after first cleaning.
Temp -79.7, Nitrate - 5, Phosphate - .01
Salinity - 1.025, Alk - 8.2, Cal - 444
