Help between refugium or turf scrubber for my setup

[nate167]

Trying to decided which route would be the best way to go for my setup I’ve researched the benefits of a fuge vs ats and at this point I’m not sure which way to go. My dt is a 300 gallon and this is my sump setup below it. I have an open sump with no sides, front, back cover. I was leaning towards a fuge but worried about light spillage with it being open. Anyone have any suggestions on going with a fuge but blocking off the light or a good recommendation for an ats? Whatever I go with I would put it in the section between skimmer and return pumps

 

[MoshJosh]

I like a refugium myself, but yeah you will run into a lot of light spillage with an open stand. Doing things like blacking out the fuge section of the sum (including an opaque lid), using purple type fuge lights, or using a submersible fuge light might help. . . but I think it will depend on your tolerance for light spillage.

I can't really recommend a specific scrubber as I don't use them, but I am sure there are plenty of good options, and might be a good fit for your needs.

 

[exnisstech]

I love a fuge to keep pods, worms and such but I've found them to be poor at nutrient reduction. I think a scrubber is better for that. I run a cryptic fuge and a floating santa Monica scrubber so I get the best of both worlds. I have just as much life with the rock vs chaeto. Actually I probably have more because I have sponges growing in the fuge which doesn't happen in a fuge growing macro algae.

The cryptic fuge thrives with no light and the surf ATS has no light spill like many ATS units that will light up a room

 

[Seansea]

I prefer a scrubber. Nothing removes nutrients and keeps algae out of your display like a scrubber. I use the clearwater one on my tank which is pricey. Think there are cheaper versions tho that do a good job.

 

[VintageReefer]

Santa Monica surf and rain models will not have light spillage. Both will be vastly more effective then a fuge.

I like the surf model because it floats and is an extremely easy installation. The design is unique and it works very well

 

[thecodingart]

Once I want turf, I never went back

 

[VintageReefer]

Once I want turf, I never went back

I would say anyone whose tried both likely had better results with the scrubber. If they didn’t, then they did it wrong lol

 

[nate167]

Santa Monica surf and rain models will not have light spillage. Both will be vastly more effective then a fuge.

I like the surf model because it floats and is an extremely easy installation. The design is unique and it works very well

The Santa Monica scrubbers are what I’ve been looking at. I thought about either the surf cause it floats or the rain model.

 

[nate167]

I prefer a scrubber. Nothing removes nutrients and keeps algae out of your display like a scrubber. I use the clearwater one on my tank which is pricey. Think there are cheaper versions tho that do a good job.

I was looking at either the Clearwater or Santa Monica scrubber. I looked at the icecap initially but saw some people had issues with them.

 

[GARRIGA]

Can use Matala filter pads as inserts to block the light and to me Fuge an easier setup to maintain as I can pluck nutrients as needed vs removing a screen for scraping plus much more efficient at co2 removal which will help raise pH therefore lessen the need for hydroxide type dosing.

Plus on an ATS being that since it can access atmospheric co2 then more efficient at removing nutrients therefore smaller footprint needed.

First consider deciding what’s the priority. pH or nutrient control and as others have mention the Fuge provides an area for pods to grow plus can serve as a temporary hide for picked on fish and can even become a second display if wanted.

With today’s water proof led solutions one can place a light close enough to or in the water to reduce spill.

Don’t need to spin it but here’s an idea

 

[VintageReefer]

The Santa Monica scrubbers are what I’ve been looking at. I thought about either the surf cause it floats or the rain model.

I love the surf and have been using it as primary filtration on my reef for 10 years. It works great, best investment I ever made

I reccomended it to Exnisstech and you can see his results. It’s a great scrubber

 

[exnisstech]

I looked at the icecap but with the white opaque housing it is very bright. Not something I would want in an open stand. That along with having to plumb it and also the chance of leaks that will not be contained were deal breakers for me. I may have considered it if the housing was black.

EDIT : I'm running a surf 4 in my WB 330.7 shown above. It works so well I added a smaller one (surf 2 I think) to my reefer 170. Another plus is my tangs love the algae that grows so I don't have to feed nori any longer.

 

[Paul.martin]

I bought a $5 acrylic box from Walmart (probably 12”x14”) and a tunze eco light. I have a manifold which feeds water over some mesh in the box that is exposed to the light. Very minimal light spillage and grows plenty of algae. I have very little algae (near none) in my display. With a little imagination you can easily design an ATS without spending much money

 

[exnisstech]

Can use Matala filter pads as inserts to block the light and to me Fuge an easier setup to maintain as I can pluck nutrients as needed vs removing a screen for scraping plus much more efficient at co2 removal which will help raise pH therefore lessen the need for hydroxide type dosing.

No need to scrape a screen on the surf ATS. Just remove the lid and pull it out. I reach in daily and pull algae to toss in the display for the tangs which is a plus vs a chaeto fuge.

 

[PharmrJohn]

Yeah, @VintageReefer talked me into a Surf. I'll have one working next to a skimmer for nutrient export. It's a new concept for me so I'm excited to see it in action! I still can't wrap my head around how one of these things minimizes algae growth in a DT tho.......

 

[nate167]

I love the surf and have been using it as primary filtration on my reef for 10 years. It works great, best investment I ever made

I reccomended it to Exnisstech and you can see his results. It’s a great scrubber

I was reading the instructions and it says you head a hd air pump. Are you running the pump by your tank or remote? My tank is in my home office and wondering how much noise it makes

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I still can't wrap my head around how one of these things minimizes algae growth in a DT tho.......

I’m not getting that either, though I know it is often claimed.

The related claim is that trying to reduce pest algae by reducing nutrients typically fails because corals won’t be happy at the necessarily low levels.

The only way both can be true (if real) is if it’s not nutrients that limit algae in the display but something else like a trace element.

Its not impossible that the algae need something such as iron at a higher level than corals, and a scrubber drives it down.

 

[Garf]

I still can't wrap my head around how one of these things minimizes algae growth in a DT tho.

Whilst you amaze yourself at your latest reefing purchase, and the purple lights, someone lobs a couple of urchins and half a dozen snails in your display.

 

[PharmrJohn]

I’m not getting that either, though I know it is often claimed.

The related claim is that trying to reduce pest algae by reducing nutrients typically fails because corals won’t be happy at the necessarily low levels.

The only way both can be true (if real) is if it’s not nutrients that limit algae in the display but something else like a trace element.

Its not impossible that the algae need something such as iron at a higher level than corals, and a scrubber drives it down.

I think I've got it. Algae is extremely family focused. They like to hang around each other. And rent is SO expensive these days......

 

[BryanM]

@VintageReefer I assume we're talking about this:

SURF4x floating surface UAS® with ribbons and Green-Grabber® surfaces - 4 cubes feeding per day - Xtra light for high nutrients

www.santa-monica.cc

I'm tempted.