Santa Monica RAIN2 Algae Scrubber Follow Along

[Reeftang]

Let it do it’s thing. You’re probably gonna get some slime growth through the screen maturation process... and this looks like it.

Thanks ok, i will update in a few days.

 

[Reeftang]

DAY 11: I hope its all looking ok, im still running 2 light 18/6 what do you guys think??? Any input to make it grow faster would be greatly appreciated.

PO4:0.16 NO3:25

 

[Water Dog]

Just give it time. No need to rush the process.

 

[Reeftang]

Just give it time. No need to rush the process.

I know its a process, i just want to know if im doing everything right or should i change the lighting less light or more light?

 

[Water Dog]

Keep your lighting as is. Isn’t that what the Santa Monica guy suggested? If so, leave it be.

 

[Reeftang]

Just found out that my MAG is at 1500 you guys think that might be an issue because i read that people raise their MAG to stop algae growth.

 

[Reeftang]

UPDATE: Ok so i was told by Santa Monica to close one light and only have 1 light running because it is to much light on the white screen causing it not to grow as fast so i did just that.

 

[Reeftang]

Day 13: So im running only one light as instructed. Its a very dark brown color.i dont know why its taking that long for it to start growing some real algae.

 

[Water Dog]

Dude, you’re barely at 2 weeks. It’s not uncommon to take well over a month for a screen to mature. You’re gonna go through the slime phases before you see any GHA start to attach. Let it ride and keep up with the picture updates.

 

[Reeftang]

So my GAH in my display tank is still very persistent and growing. Just wondering maybe it would be a goos idea to pull some of the GHA i have in my DT and put it on to the screen to speed up the process???

 

[Water Dog]

If your tank already has a GHA issue, running an ATS won’t be an instant cure. You need to first address the underlying cause of your algae issues in your DT, fix it, then over time as your ATS matures, it will outcompete the algae in the DT. This will not be an overnight process.

 

[Reeftang]

If your tank already has a GHA issue, running an ATS won’t be an instant cure. You need to first address the underlying cause of your algae issues in your DT, fix it, then over time as your ATS matures, it will outcompete the algae in the DT. This will not be an overnight process.

Well i know what the issue is why im having GAH, its because i have high nutrients and i dont really do water changes to export them, but now with the scrubber i was hoping that it will bring the nutrient down and outcompete the GHA in the DT.

I did see some reviews on this rain 2 scrubber and within 2 weeks they had significant growth. i did not anticipate that it will take this long to see some real growth. I do not have much coral in the tank so getting rid of the GHA wont be an issue a 7 day blackout will wipe it out.

 

[Water Dog]

A scrubber is not a crutch for poor husbandry. Do some routine water changes, get a handle on your nutrient levels, manually remove the GHA from your rocks while it’s easy, as you are light on corals currently and let your scrubber do its thing. Eventually, the scrubber should outcompete the DT for GHA,. But that won’t happen overnight and it definitely won’t without work on your part. Nothing good happens fast in this hobby.

 

[Reeftang]

DAY 16: So since im only running one light i have noticed that the other side where the light is not filled up more. Besides for that nitrate and phosphate still the same. Im wondering if i should switch the side of the lights so the other side should fill in.

 

[Reeftang]

So came home today the screen was pretty much covered on one side the other side had some spots so i scraped the some algae from the other spots and filled in the uncovered spots and turned on both lights now in the hopes to get more growth, my nutrients are still pretty high.

 

[ca1ore]

As noted, not at all unusual for a scrubber screen to take a month or longer to mature. I’m breaking in a new one now, and after two weeks I’m just getting the start of growth.

 

[ca1ore]

Going to scrape my almost 3 week old screen tomorrow; I’ll post a few pics.

 

[Reeftang]

So at this point its already beed 3 weeks my nutrient levels are up there and its not growing properly, not sure whats going on or whats taking so long???

 

[stacksoner]

So at this point its already beed 3 weeks my nutrient levels are up there and its not growing properly, not sure whats going on or whats taking so long???

I believe the algae scrubber provides algae with an unlimited supply of atmospheric C02, which it consumes and converts into organics that are released into the system.

 

[Reeftang]

I believe the algae scrubber provides algae with an unlimited supply of atmospheric C02, which it consumes and converts into organics that are released into the system.

So what exactly are you saying???