For general Algae Scrubber related items Fri, 13 Mar 2026 14:52:54 +0000 Fri, 13 Mar 2026 14:52:54 +0000 Algae Scrubbing https://www.algaescrubbing.com/forums/general-discussion.30/ Mon, 24 Apr 2023 14:43:24 +0000 https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/new-algae-scrubber-newbie.879/ https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/new-algae-scrubber-newbie.879/ invalid@example.com (lovefish77) lovefish77
Thanks everyone for this site and I am glad to be here. A couple of months back I upgraded to a 75 gallon reef tank (from a 40 gallon tank). Setup is a bare bottom tank with an open rock scape. I am using a 20 gallon long sump for the skimmer, heaters, return pump…etc. As part of the setup I decided to build an algae scrubber (coz I am tired of changing and playing with gfo and other media). The diy algae scrubber is 6.5” in width and ~ 12” tall lit on both ends using the following...

New Algae Scrubber newbie]]> 139 Sat, 21 Aug 2021 15:58:25 +0000 https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/preserving-a-screen.1022/ https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/preserving-a-screen.1022/ invalid@example.com (lovefish77) lovefish77
So the thought process is
1. Unplug the scrubber
2. Preserve the screen submerged in the sump
3. Rearrange the sump with the chaeto reactor and monitor things
4. If i dont like the chaeto reactor and the new setup I will revert to the scrubber (using screen from step 2).

Questions;
1. Thoughts in general on...

Preserving a screen]]> 2 Mon, 15 Feb 2021 16:29:25 +0000 https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/what-does-this-growth-mean.1021/ https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/what-does-this-growth-mean.1021/ invalid@example.com (ChrisQ0904) ChrisQ0904
Thank you. ]]> 1 Sat, 06 Feb 2021 05:46:33 +0000 https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/my-newest-l4-ats.921/ https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/my-newest-l4-ats.921/ invalid@example.com (tom39) tom39 31 Thu, 10 Dec 2020 15:40:32 +0000 https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/question.1020/ https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/question.1020/ invalid@example.com (Edfe) Edfe
I just transfer my current 60 gal cube to a 110 new sand same rock and new water, i decided to try an ATS because cheato made a mess on my old sump.

I decided to get a Clear water -100 m current readings before adding the ATS were with a photoperiod of 18 hours

nitrate-5
Phosphate - .5

thats when i decided to get the scrubber online, its been a week and i started to see some brown slime on the screen and floating on my sump

readings ara still holding steady at...

Question]]> 2 Thu, 12 Nov 2020 14:28:57 +0000 https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/is-short-on-off-ats-light-cycle-ok.1019/ https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/is-short-on-off-ats-light-cycle-ok.1019/ invalid@example.com (Levinson) Levinson I'm running a diy ATS (my second diy ATS) and it seems to be working so far.
Currently, the lights go on and off every 2 hours (2 hours on, 2 hours off). It's been like that since I've set it up. I thought it might also help reduce the heat from the light.
My question is, does the length of the photoperiod matter? Like, in terms of the nutrient export/growth, or the type of growth, etc.
I'm fairly happy with the ATS so far but would it work better with...

Is short on off ATS light cycle OK?]]> 2 Wed, 28 Oct 2020 23:19:47 +0000 https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/l2-rev-3-on-120-gallon-reef-tank.861/ https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/l2-rev-3-on-120-gallon-reef-tank.861/ invalid@example.com (freshoffthegrill) freshoffthegrill

Last two days the screen has really taken off from next to nothing. I have the LEDs on 100% and the photo period of 18 hours, this might be too long and I will back off if I see any ill effects. So far so good....]]> 9 Tue, 08 Sep 2020 13:49:02 +0000 https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/next-step-with-ats.1017/ https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/next-step-with-ats.1017/ invalid@example.com (HobbyReef) HobbyReef Sorry, english is not my mother tongue.

So, I have 120g system which is around 3 months old. I built my own custom made ATS and it has started to have some growth in the past weeks.


I normally run lights 18 hours on and 6 off. My concern is should I clean this screen already or let it grow...

Next step with ATS?]]> 1 Sun, 16 Aug 2020 17:42:40 +0000 https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/diy-build-in-a-sterilite-box.1016/ https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/diy-build-in-a-sterilite-box.1016/ invalid@example.com (MrTang) MrTang
My name is Zach, and I'm glad to be on this forum. The algae-scrubber basics have come in so handy to me lately, and I'm glad for the compendium of knowledge on this site. In fact, after reading up, I don't know why the whole world doesn't scrub with algae! (Clever marketing on filter-makers' part?) All that being said, I'm glad to be here now, and this is my first foray into algae scrubbing. Though I realize this is primarily a saltwater method, I'm a freshwater enthusiast...

DIY Build in a Sterilite Box!]]> 3 Mon, 13 Jul 2020 00:59:26 +0000 https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/buying-hair-algae.1015/ https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/buying-hair-algae.1015/ invalid@example.com (trivodi) trivodi
All I need is a small bit like a golf ball size or so. Paying $20 + shipping USPS 2-3 day. Will pay via PayPal.

If you got some for sale please email me at trivodi@gmail.com



thanks]]> Mon, 13 Jul 2020 00:45:31 +0000 https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/new-to-the-forum-and-ats%E2%80%99s.1013/ https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/new-to-the-forum-and-ats%E2%80%99s.1013/ invalid@example.com (kilgoretrout) kilgoretrout
I recently installed an DIY ATS on my 80g system. It’s been up and running for ~4 weeks with very limited growth.

6”x10-12” screen(the length is a logistical choice based on keeping noise down and having it end just under the surface into the refugium(rock rubble)) I just figured the more screen the better even if the lights cannot cover the whole surface.

the lights are 10w violet spectrum amazon jobs....

New to the forum and ATS’s]]> 13 Mon, 18 May 2020 16:38:29 +0000 https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/sizing-feeding-quantity.1010/ https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/sizing-feeding-quantity.1010/ invalid@example.com (atoll) atoll An example of the above. Let's say I feed 1 whole cube of food twice a day that's 2 feeds of 1 cube per day, 2 cubes in total. Now if I feed 2 cubes twice a day that's still...

Sizing, feeding, quantity.]]> 2 Mon, 18 May 2020 09:34:30 +0000 https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/growing-something-other-than-gha.1011/ https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/growing-something-other-than-gha.1011/ invalid@example.com (atoll) atoll
The Ulva was presumed to have arrived as the guy used local seawater in his aquarium and the seeds from it must have been brought in, in the water. This Ulva obviously found...

Growing something other than GHA]]> Sat, 16 May 2020 22:30:36 +0000 https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/no-algae-growth-at-all.1006/ https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/no-algae-growth-at-all.1006/ invalid@example.com (Levinson) Levinson It's been 6 days and I'm not getting any growth, no slime, no hint of colour on the screen, no nothing.
Is this normal? Is there something not quite right? 6 days not enough to expect any sign of growth?
I got a little anxious and put some dried shrimps in the water 3 days ago. Should I remove it or leave it till I get some algae growth?
The details of the setup are as shown...

No algae growth AT ALL]]> 7 Wed, 29 Apr 2020 01:11:12 +0000 https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/quick-question-on-scrubber-screen.1004/ https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/quick-question-on-scrubber-screen.1004/ invalid@example.com (lovefish77) lovefish77 SO QUESTION HERE; does this mean it will be like starting with a brand new screen? Lmk please so I can reduce feeding accordingly.

Thank you]]> 14 Mon, 06 Apr 2020 15:02:26 +0000 https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/help-needed.992/ https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/help-needed.992/ invalid@example.com (Green hair) Green hair
Hi I have recently restarted my scrubber after using fluconazole to get rid bryopsis and vibrant against bubble algae which works a treat given time. I have had to change lights because the others kept dying and found these lights. Anyway I can't seem to bring nitrates down, algae seems loose and easy comes away
Nitrate are around 100
Phosphate is 0.08
Lights on from 7pm till 12noon
Algae...

Help needed]]> 25 Thu, 05 Mar 2020 14:17:17 +0000 https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/dimming-rain2-algae-scrubber-or-any-other-scrubber.1001/ https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/dimming-rain2-algae-scrubber-or-any-other-scrubber.1001/ invalid@example.com (trivodi) trivodi Here's how I set up a dimmer for a rain 2 scrubber which can also be used with any led powers scrubber. Here are the parts, all from Amazon for $22.

The set up is pretty strait forward, the power from the power supply goes to the summer, the output goes to the 4 way splitter, then to the lights.

The power supply for the rain 2 is 11v 3A but the dimmer says that it needs 12v. On the Amazon reviews a guy tested the summer all the way down to 6v and it works fine....

Dimming rain2 algae scrubber or any other scrubber]]> 2 Sat, 29 Feb 2020 15:52:28 +0000 https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/can-the-ats-screen-size-compensate-for-the-strength-of-light.1000/ https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/can-the-ats-screen-size-compensate-for-the-strength-of-light.1000/ invalid@example.com (Levinson) Levinson In another words, can weaker light over a larger screen perform as well as setup with a smaller screen with a stronger light source?

How about flowrate? Can a setup with a larger screen size with lower flow rate perform as well as a smaller screen size with a high flow rate setup? (Assuming the light remained the same).]]> 4 Tue, 25 Feb 2020 21:22:56 +0000 https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/looking-for-a-nano-driver-for-1-to-2-3w-leds.994/ https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/looking-for-a-nano-driver-for-1-to-2-3w-leds.994/ invalid@example.com (Deva) Deva but I am having a heck of a time finding a driver that can work on such a small load.

my normal go to is the MW LPC 35-700 but it's min. is 9V so 4 leds.

screen will be around .5 cube so not to big at all.

I know the LDD drivers can do that but then you need a crazy power supply not really what I am looking for.

looking for options?
would the MW ACP 35-700 would on such a small load?
any simpler options like a...

looking for a Nano driver for 1 to 2 -3W Leds]]> 11 Wed, 19 Feb 2020 23:44:55 +0000 https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/best-way-and-place-to-mount-ats-in-your-sump.999/ https://www.algaescrubbing.com/threads/best-way-and-place-to-mount-ats-in-your-sump.999/ invalid@example.com (Rushy43) Rushy43 Would the ATS sit in the first (Drain) chamber or second chamber of the sump? Thinking of adding a skimmer, would this go before it or after it?
And finally, I gather the ATS sits above the sump water line but how do folk mount them? I'm a little puzzled here as all videos i've...

Best way and place to mount ATS in your sump]]> 7