Sucess with only Algae Turf Scrubber Filtration?

[GeoSquid]

Is anyone on here having success with an Algae Turf Scrubber as the only filtration....other than rock, sand etc.? I've been running multiple DIY ATS's, Macro algae and a DIY Upflow Wood Air Stone Skimmer on my 180 gal. My skimmer works great for about a week after replacing the wood air stones then tapers off. I got tired of dealing with it and shut it down about a month ago. Haven't noticed any difference in my filtration. Anyone having long term success with an ATS only tank?

 

[RunBikeSwim]

I only have an ”algae scrubber” running on my 14 gal biocube as filtration (only a small sheet of filter floss changed once a week). It is a grow light attached to the back of the middle chamber and it grows Turf algae (not chaeto) in large quantity. My nutrients level is in check and everything is growing well into its second year. It was intended as a test tank but it turned out to be my best tank in terms of ease of nutrients control.

 

[20 gallon nano]

 

[ca1ore]

Wood air stone quickly clogs ..... which is why almost nobody uses them anymore. I’ve used various ATS designs since 1990, but never as the sole form of filtration. I think you probably could dispense with the skimmer, but I would always run GAC with the ATS.