Thinking outside the box: Nutrient export

csm41 · 06/16/2012, 08:45 AM

Recently, I have been putting a little thought into all the ways that algae can be implemented to improve our marine aquariums. There has been a lot of talk about algae turf scrubbers and how well they affect the small ecosystems we have developed inside our homes. I have used macro algaes such as Chaeto and Caulerpa to great benefit but never an algae turf scrubber. I am very intrigued with the ATS sytems and that prompted me to start thinking about a 55 gallon cichlid tank I had back in (early 80's) HS that used a reverse flow undergravel filter. I had some strong lights built into the inner part of my stand that I forgot to turn off once when I left for a month long diving trip in the Florida Keys that summer. My parents only fed the fish and added top off water for me while I was gone. I got back and discovered that underneath the UGF was a thick field of algae and that my tank NEVER looked better. Maybe the result was a form of ATS? I have been reading a lot of PaulB's posts and noticed that he has a form of this in a very successful long lived reef tank. I know that a lot of you may scoff at this aproach, but there may be something to this.

Would it be feasable to set up something along these lines? Something to this effect:

-Reverse flow UGF
-Strong lighting directed toward the bottom part of the tank inside the stand
-Run the usual skimmers, sumps, calcium reactors, etc

Opinions good or bad are welcome. I am getting ready to set up another reef tank and am still deliberating the approach I am going to take in regards to filtration. I am not a new reef guy. I have had SW aquariums since I was 12.

Steve175 · 06/16/2012, 03:00 PM

Key with nutrient export is to be able to regularly remove the algae growth and trash it (the export part). It is not obvious that your approach would allow access for algae removal. Just growing the algae and then allowing portions of it to die without removal would only recycle the nutrients back into the water column. Maybe I misunderstood your concept? Diagram?

Paul B · 06/16/2012, 04:56 PM

Quote:

I got back and discovered that underneath the UGF was a thick field of algae and that my tank NEVER looked better.

Do you have lights under the tank to grow algae under the UG filter?

Quote:

-Reverse flow UGF

Don't do that. I like having the oldest tank on here

andrewey · 06/16/2012, 05:22 PM

As long as you can harvest your algae, algae turf scrubbers will work, and for some people worse, and for some better than a skimmer- it's fun to try out!

csm41 · 06/16/2012, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul B

Do you have lights under the tank to grow algae under the UG filter?

Don't do that. I like having the oldest tank on here

On the 55 gallon I had back in HS I did. Paul, nobody is going to top your tank

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve175

Key with nutrient export is to be able to regularly remove the algae growth and trash it (the export part). It is not obvious that your approach would allow access for algae removal. Just growing the algae and then allowing portions of it to die without removal would only recycle the nutrients back into the water column. Maybe I misunderstood your concept? Diagram?

GOOD POINT. There would be no way to remove excess algae because it would grow beneath the plates. Oh well, guess I will just use macro algae like I have in the past. It worked well.

mgraf · 06/16/2012, 08:03 PM

Why not try and build your own ATS. Works great, I have been skimmerless for well over two years on my 120. I harvest about a 6 oz cup completely full of algae weekly.

csm41 · 06/17/2012, 05:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mgraf

Why not try and build your own ATS. Works great, I have been skimmerless for well over two years on my 120. I harvest about a 6 oz cup completely full of algae weekly.

I don't have the space. If it was feasable I would. I will probably go back to a fuge/macroalgae set up like I have done in the past. I really would love to go skimmerless if possible.

Devaji108 · 06/17/2012, 05:44 PM

the new "rules" for scrubbers are alot smaller that you older ones i am building one right now for my 75 that would need 5x5" I am going with 8X5" just b/c I have lots of flow from my return. so the point is you can really make it very small. floyd has a supper small slick setup if you google ATS I am sure you will be able to find it...hint hint

good luck!

vikubz · 06/17/2012, 06:33 PM

I built one with a little pvc, plastic matting, clamp light and a tidy cat bucket. It grows tons of nasty stuff and none in the DT. I really like it.

emerald crab · 06/28/2012, 09:16 PM

I use skimmer, biopellets, vodka and an algae scrubber. With all the competition that the scrubber gets, it exports around 1-1.25 oz drained algae a week (75 gal medium stoked SPS tank). They're not very big, not hard to make and worth having one IMO.

06/16/2012, 08:45 AM	#1
csm41 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 75	Thinking outside the box: Nutrient export Recently, I have been putting a little thought into all the ways that algae can be implemented to improve our marine aquariums. There has been a lot of talk about algae turf scrubbers and how well they affect the small ecosystems we have developed inside our homes. I have used macro algaes such as Chaeto and Caulerpa to great benefit but never an algae turf scrubber. I am very intrigued with the ATS sytems and that prompted me to start thinking about a 55 gallon cichlid tank I had back in (early 80's) HS that used a reverse flow undergravel filter. I had some strong lights built into the inner part of my stand that I forgot to turn off once when I left for a month long diving trip in the Florida Keys that summer. My parents only fed the fish and added top off water for me while I was gone. I got back and discovered that underneath the UGF was a thick field of algae and that my tank NEVER looked better. Maybe the result was a form of ATS? I have been reading a lot of PaulB's posts and noticed that he has a form of this in a very successful long lived reef tank. I know that a lot of you may scoff at this aproach, but there may be something to this. Would it be feasable to set up something along these lines? Something to this effect: -Reverse flow UGF -Strong lighting directed toward the bottom part of the tank inside the stand -Run the usual skimmers, sumps, calcium reactors, etc Opinions good or bad are welcome. I am getting ready to set up another reef tank and am still deliberating the approach I am going to take in regards to filtration. I am not a new reef guy. I have had SW aquariums since I was 12.

06/16/2012, 03:00 PM	#2
Steve175 Registered Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 1,130	Key with nutrient export is to be able to regularly remove the algae growth and trash it (the export part). It is not obvious that your approach would allow access for algae removal. Just growing the algae and then allowing portions of it to die without removal would only recycle the nutrients back into the water column. Maybe I misunderstood your concept? Diagram? __________________ Steve. -------------- Current Tank Info: 2 separate 250G bowfront rimless ELOS tanks plumbed to 260G sump, 220G refugium, 220G frag, Deltec AP 1004 skimmer, 400W MH x4, Vortech MP40w x4, 3/4hp chiller x2, Phos reactor, Kalk reactor, Charcoal reactor, Litremeter 2-part, & huge elec bill

06/17/2012, 05:44 PM	#8
Devaji108 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Jackson Hole Wy Posts: 1,693	the new "rules" for scrubbers are alot smaller that you older ones i am building one right now for my 75 that would need 5x5" I am going with 8X5" just b/c I have lots of flow from my return. so the point is you can really make it very small. floyd has a supper small slick setup if you google ATS I am sure you will be able to find it...hint hint good luck! __________________ 75 DT 40br sump/fuge build thread:http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2043736 DIY LED for dummies build thread:http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2106494 Current Tank Info: 75Dt 40BR macrodisplay in the works.

06/16/2012, 05:22 PM	#4
andrewey Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 62	As long as you can harvest your algae, algae turf scrubbers will work, and for some people worse, and for some better than a skimmer- it's fun to try out!

06/16/2012, 08:03 PM	#6
mgraf Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Canal Fulton Posts: 393	Why not try and build your own ATS. Works great, I have been skimmerless for well over two years on my 120. I harvest about a 6 oz cup completely full of algae weekly.

06/17/2012, 06:33 PM	#9
vikubz Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Cedar Falls, IA Posts: 541	I built one with a little pvc, plastic matting, clamp light and a tidy cat bucket. It grows tons of nasty stuff and none in the DT. I really like it.

06/28/2012, 09:16 PM	#10
emerald crab Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 81	I use skimmer, biopellets, vodka and an algae scrubber. With all the competition that the scrubber gets, it exports around 1-1.25 oz drained algae a week (75 gal medium stoked SPS tank). They're not very big, not hard to make and worth having one IMO.