DIY ATS for 56 gallon column reef tank

[reeftanknewbie]

So after much research on this and other sites I finally decided to try a ATS to see about reducing the phosphates and nitrates in the tank while getting the unsightly HA out of the display. Thanks Santa Monica for the advise and info as I decided to try to replicate the SM100 you posted on here. All I have left is some more painting to reduce light loss outside of the ATS, drill the drains and plumb it into the system which I am hoping to have done next weekend. Not happy with the screen though so I am thinking of making another especially since there are now new recommendations to the size of screen needed based on feedings. ATS was water tested overnight and no leaks. Here is what I have so far and would love feedback on this since I am new to ATS and never tried one before.

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt245/jk73sb/Picture170.jpg
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt245/jk73sb/Picture169.jpg
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt245/jk73sb/Picture168.jpg
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt245/jk73sb/Picture167.jpg
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt245/jk73sb/Picture166.jpg
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt245/jk73sb/Picture165.jpg
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt245/jk73sb/Picture164.jpg
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt245/jk73sb/Picture163.jpg
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt245/jk73sb/Picture171.jpg

[Floyd R Turbo]

Looks good! How much do you feed?

[SantaMonica]

The screen is really roughed up...

[reeftanknewbie]

Looks good! How much do you feed?
Thanks it is my first Acrylic project. I feed one cube daily. On sundays I feed my corals so that is about 2 cubs on that day.

[reeftanknewbie]

The screen is really roughed up...

Yeah I think I am going to redo it before I get it online. Also I am wondering if it's too big.

[Floyd R Turbo]

That's what I was thinking. I feel bad because I keep running across new builds that don't follow the new feeding guidelines. If the design here is loosely based on the SM100, then you're about 10x oversized if you're only going to feed one cube per day. It's one of the reasons I felt the need to revamp the basics summary before the new scrubber came out...

[reeftanknewbie]

That's what I was thinking. I feel bad because I keep running across new builds that don't follow the new feeding guidelines. If the design here is loosely based on the SM100, then you're about 10x oversized if you're only going to feed one cube per day. It's one of the reasons I felt the need to revamp the basics summary before the new scrubber came out...
Yeah I started this before the new recommendations were out so looks like I need a smaller screen and will have to cut a smaller slot for pvc then as well. 12" in total is all I think I need for the screen.

[kentth]

I just put electrical tape over my slot and a few rounds, around the pipe. sealed the slot just fine. That way I can go back to a large screen, if I decide to in the future

[reeftanknewbie]

I just put electrical tape over my slot and a few rounds, around the pipe. sealed the slot just fine. That way I can go back to a large screen, if I decide to in the future

that's a good idea as I was thinking of cutting a new pipe. Do you have any problems with the glue of the electrical tape making contact with the water? I worry about chemicals leaching into the water and harming my tank.

[Floyd R Turbo]

I would worry about that. Any adhesive should not be in direct contact with the water IMO

[reeftanknewbie]

I would worry about that. Any adhesive should not be in direct contact with the water IMO

Yeah I agree. so the screen only needs to total 12 square inches. so I am thinking I can still get away with the slot in the pvc as long as I make the screen the full length but just short in with. Something like 10 inches long by 3 inches wide or should it be more square in shape?

[kerry]

I am not sure how the flow would be like that. You could even fill the slot with silicon and re-size if you do not want to re-cut new pipe and just wait for the new technology to be revealed. It also boils down to where you can put the light onto the screen as well so maybe with the long tube type bulb you would be better with the 30x3. You could surely feed a few more cubes easily to get good growth as its still over sized and you may not get good growth with only a cube a day.

[kentth]

Actually my first layer of tape was adhesive side up, or away from the water/slot, then used two layers of tape to hold that tape to the tube. Then wrapped tape around tube to hold in place. Other way to do it would be to put a layer of plastic wrap or even a cut out section of a sheet protector, then tape that to the tube.

Kent

[reeftanknewbie]

thanks guys for the recommendations but I didn't want to have to wait as this has taken way too long already due to my ever growing HONEY DO LIST. Ok so I cut a new piece of pipe today and made a new screen considerably smaller (12" inches). It looks ridiculously small now but I will trust the process. I drilled the drain hole and now I am going to paint the body so to keep as much light inside as possible. Hope to have this online in the next few days. Very slow process I know.


http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt245/jk73sb/Picture173.jpg
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt245/jk73sb/Picture172.jpg
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt245/jk73sb/Picture174.jpg

[kerry]

That looks good!! The paint is a good idea to.

[warriorcookie]

You're going to rough that screen up too, right?

[reeftanknewbie]

That looks good!! The paint is a good idea to.

Thanks. Yeah and the paint is krylon so it's durable.

[reeftanknewbie]

You're going to rough that screen up too, right?

Oh yeah. Think I took the picture before I rough it up. left about 1/8" at the top and bottom not roughed for water flow. I'm not the best at documenting my progress; tend to forget sometimes.

[reeftanknewbie]

Ok so this setup was too big for the back of my tank so I made a new acrylic box (12" long x 8" high) and kept the screen the same. I am now using 2700k CF bulbs in small shop lights as the t5 were even too big (piss poor planning on my part). I didn't take pics yet but I had it up and running as of last night. This morning I already am seeing some brown stringy algae starting to grow on the screen in a few spots. the screen is lite from both sides so I am going to run the lights opposite of my tank lights (9hrs/day). I also bought 3500k bulbs in case the 2700k don't do well for growth but I think they will since I use them on my refugium. PICS COMING SOON.

[Doc_Polit]

Any updates newbie? How is version 2 working out?

[reeftanknewbie]

Any updates newbie? How is version 2 working out?

I have to work on getting pics posted for you all. As far as updates goes. it's been running 2 weeks now and I am getting some thick brown algae on the screen; nothing green yet. The lights are running for about 18 hrs a day as they are only 13watt spiral bulbs. I am running a 3500k bulb on one side and a 5000k on the other to see what spectrum works better for good green growth.

[reeftanknewbie]

just started to get some green HA finally. I switched to a higher wattage 5k bulb too to see if it will start growing for me......

[kotlec]

I am running a 3500k bulb on one side and a 5000k on the other to see what spectrum works better for good green growth.

It is already clear long time ago what is best :)