Safe paint for sump

[mfinn]

I understand the proactive side of trying to limit algae from growing everywhere in the sump, but both my currently running sumps have a refugium area. But algae doesn't really grow anywhere, except on the inside walls of the refugium. I don't have any to speak of. I do get hair algae growing over the baffle coming from the skimmer side. But it just wipes off. I usually only clean it when I harvest the cheato and stir up the refugium.
My biggest issue is algae growing on the inside of the skimmer bodies.
At one time I did have a black plastic film over the outside of the skimmer body, and that helped.

 

[UncommonSense]

My biggest issue is algae growing on the inside of the skimmer bodies.
At one time I did have a black plastic film over the outside of the skimmer body, and that helped.

I’ve had luck wrapping a skimmer body in a piece of pond liner material, Reinforced Polyethylene (RPE) liner material in this case!

It’s also available with a specific UV protective coating (which should last indefinitely in a sump, when designed to live outdoors in direct sunlight for a decade plus!)

 

[Euphylliaphyle]

I used a peel and stick black vinyl to cover part of my overflow box. Seems to be holding up fine after 4-5 years.

This is my black background on my display. Its static cling, room darkening (blackout) window film. Looks good as long as you get all the bubbles out at installation time.

 

[BryanM]

I do want to limit sideways spread so the light isn't growing algae in the next-door chambers. Can vinyl be placed inside the aquarium? So if I try to cover the submersed side baffles with it as well?

Have you looked in to algae turf scrubbers? They are basically refugiums on steroids.

The surf line from Santa Monica float in the sump, are basically self contained, and leak no light.

 

[DmitryB]

I do want to limit sideways spread so the light isn't growing algae in the next-door chambers. Can vinyl be placed inside the aquarium? So if I try to cover the submersed side baffles with it as well?

Have you looked in to algae turf scrubbers? They are basically refugiums on steroids.

The surf line from Santa Monica float in the sump, are basically self contained, and leak no light.

Would this be a separate piece of equipment or incorporated into the sump?

 

[BryanM]

Would this be a separate piece of equipment or incorporated into the sump?

It is a piece of equipment in the sump:

https://www.santa-monica.cc/SURF4-f...cultivator--4-cubes-feeding-per-day_p_46.html

 

[mfinn]

Have you looked in to algae turf scrubbers? They are basically refugiums on steroids.

The surf line from Santa Monica float in the sump, are basically self contained, and leak no light.

And I think there might be a new one in the birthday bash give away.

 

[DmitryB]

Would this be a separate piece of equipment or incorporated into the sump?

It is a piece of equipment in the sump:

https://www.santa-monica.cc/SURF4-f...cultivator--4-cubes-feeding-per-day_p_46.html

It sounds like a miracle filter. Why isn't everyone using it???

 

[BryanM]

It sounds like a miracle filter. Why isn't everyone using it???

I can only try to answer this...

First, there are quite a few on this forum that use and love them.

I believe Santa Monica's are the best in the business.

There are a lot of DIY designs out there that have very mixed results.

There is a lot of impatience for getting the algae to grow initially.

They are kinda expensive.

------------

My journey is now in to phase 2 I'd say. I've battled reasonably nitrate levels (20-35), and horrible phosphate levels (.9 blinking) for quite some time.

I have a Rain 8 ATS from Santa Monica. I am now dosing nitrates as I'm sub 5.

Last time I tested Phos it was at .17 (I ran GFO for about a year to get it down)...I've removed the GFO in hopes that the ATS can maintain this level.... after all that is its job and why I got it.

I can tell you I don't have nuisance algae in my display except for on the glass, which I don't think you can avoid.

A bonus for some is that the turf algae it grows can be used for Tang food, unfortunately mine do not like it.

Anyway, I'm a big proponent of them. Besides filter socks, which I only use to help water clarity, this is the only filter in my tank.

 

[mfinn]

It sounds like a miracle filter. Why isn't everyone using it???

My refugium is just a big open space with a light over it. Water flows through via the return pump. No other equipment required.

 

[DmitryB]

It sounds like a miracle filter. Why isn't everyone using it???

I can only try to answer this...

First, there are quite a few on this forum that use and love them.

I believe Santa Monica's are the best in the business.

There are a lot of DIY designs out there that have very mixed results.

There is a lot of impatience for getting the algae to grow initially.

They are kinda expensive.

------------

My journey is now in to phase 2 I'd say. I've battled reasonably nitrate levels (20-35), and horrible phosphate levels (.9 blinking) for quite some time.

I have a Rain 8 ATS from Santa Monica. I am now dosing nitrates as I'm sub 5.

Last time I tested Phos it was at .17 (I ran GFO for about a year to get it down)...I've removed the GFO in hopes that the ATS can maintain this level.... after all that is its job and why I got it.

I can tell you I don't have nuisance algae in my display except for on the glass, which I don't think you can avoid.

A bonus for some is that the turf algae it grows can be used for Tang food, unfortunately mine do not like it.

Anyway, I'm a big proponent of them. Besides filter socks, which I only use to help water clarity, this is the only filter in my tank.

Hmmmm interesting. Any reason one can't use both? It says the ATS don't do anything for pods. Though finding space for it in a sump with a refugium might be tough. This box looks compact enough that it can even sit in the return chamber but not sure if that would be ok even? (I don't want it floating in my DT.

 

[DmitryB]

It sounds like a miracle filter. Why isn't everyone using it???

My refugium is just a big open space with a light over it. Water flows through via the return pump. No other equipment required.

Yep that's what I was thinking for it, maybe some PolypLab bricks and chaeto. But I do like the thought behind the scrubbers.

 

[BryanM]

Hmmmm interesting. Any reason one can't use both? It says the ATS don't do anything for pods. Though finding space for it in a sump with a refugium might be tough. This box looks compact enough that it can even sit in the return chamber but not sure if that would be ok even? (I don't want it floating in my DT.

No good reason to run both and if you want pods I think a Refugium is the way to go

 

[chrizo]

It is a piece of equipment in the sump:

https://www.santa-monica.cc/SURF4-f...cultivator--4-cubes-feeding-per-day_p_46.html

omg 500 for foam and a few 3d printed parts. thats insane