Side Loading ATS

[CHOMPERS]

This build was inspired by a design posted on YouTube by SM. I'll try to find the original later and post a link. For now, here is a short clip of my ATS in action (pump shut off).

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/w94osKXtwow" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

http://youtu.be/w94osKXtwow

The ATS resides in my tanks stand above the sump. The side loading feature allows it to fit and function in the limited space available. In designing it, I first chose the lights and then built the scrubber around them.

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/z362/MorkOrk/Algae%20Turf%20Scrubber/06181845.jpg

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/z362/MorkOrk/Algae%20Turf%20Scrubber/06252201.jpg

[CHOMPERS]

I started the build with the tank off of the stand so I could customize it for the best fit. The open top also provided the best access to the stand.

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/z362/MorkOrk/Algae%20Turf%20Scrubber/DSCN1201.jpg

[CHOMPERS]

The access to the scrubber soon showed to be a problem. I didn't like the divider between the doors, so I modified the stand.

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/z362/MorkOrk/Algae%20Turf%20Scrubber/DSCN1286.jpg

...before
http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/z362/MorkOrk/Algae%20Turf%20Scrubber/DSCN1292.jpg

...after
http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/z362/MorkOrk/Algae%20Turf%20Scrubber/DSCN1293.jpg

[CHOMPERS]

The fun started with the support beam and the ATS frame built into it.

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/z362/MorkOrk/Algae%20Turf%20Scrubber/DSCN1187.jpg

The center support is removable to make it easier for bulb changes and cleaning the light shield.

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/z362/MorkOrk/Algae%20Turf%20Scrubber/DSCN1186.jpg

[CHOMPERS]

The two light fixtures were built as separate components and then later attached to the frame. The back was just glued to the frame but the front was hinged.

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/z362/MorkOrk/Algae%20Turf%20Scrubber/DSCN1204.jpg

[CHOMPERS]

The hinges are also made from acrylic so that rust/oxidation will never be a problem. The hinge pins are 3/8" pipe.

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/z362/MorkOrk/Algae%20Turf%20Scrubber/DSCN1192.jpg

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/z362/MorkOrk/Algae%20Turf%20Scrubber/DSCN1194.jpg

Because I’m lazy and like things simple, I decided to make the latch as simple as possible. It opens with a simple press on the latch and self engages when the light is pushed closed.

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/z362/MorkOrk/Algae%20Turf%20Scrubber/DSCN1296.jpg

[CHOMPERS]

The reflectors in the lights are just pieces of acrylic mirror that I cut to fit. They lay between the bulbs and the fixtures (they also serve as a layer of protection between the saltwater and the electricity).

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/z362/MorkOrk/Algae%20Turf%20Scrubber/DSCN1202.jpg

…between the bulbs and this stuff

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/z362/MorkOrk/Algae%20Turf%20Scrubber/DSCN1196.jpg

[CHOMPERS]

By the way, to make the ATS possible, I had to shorten my sump. It was a 75g tank. I disassembled it, cut down the front panel and then rebuilt it in a frameless style.

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/z362/MorkOrk/Algae%20Turf%20Scrubber/DSCN1295.jpg

[CHOMPERS]

And on to the screens…

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/z362/MorkOrk/Algae%20Turf%20Scrubber/DSCN1207.jpg

The screen supports are made from 1 ½” pipe that was halved and then quartered.

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/z362/MorkOrk/Algae%20Turf%20Scrubber/DSCN1175.jpg

The ends are made from two circles of acrylic (made with a hole saw) that had then been cut in half. The end supports (crescent shaped pieces) were cut from a 1 ½” PVC coupling.

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/z362/MorkOrk/Algae%20Turf%20Scrubber/06181844.jpg

The screen supports were then glued together using Weldon 16. The end supports (crescent shaped pieces) were taped on temporarily to help keep the shape.

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/z362/MorkOrk/Algae%20Turf%20Scrubber/06202306.jpg

[CHOMPERS]

And here’s a final picture of the scrubber when I was testing the lights.

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/z362/MorkOrk/Algae%20Turf%20Scrubber/07041917a.jpg

The scrubber has been in operation since August 2011 and has kept the tank totally free of algae. The scrubber is actually larger than what my bio-load really needs, but the tank has lots of growing to do. : )

[CHOMPERS]

By the way, this ATS was built with smoke/clear acrylic because it was free. I had considered buying some opaque black acrylic but decided that the extra light in the sump area wouldn't be a problem.

[SantaMonica]

That's some serious building :)

[kotlec]

Like the build !
Can you show how water is fed to the screen ? It is gravity fed ? And how screen is supported in pipe.

[Floyd R Turbo]

Looks very complicated, you spent a lot of time thinking this one out!

What size tank is this for and how much do you feed?

[Ace25]

Super super nice build... but I would hate to see your bulb replacement cost each year. Assuming those are T5HOs not just regular T5s (Ballast just says T5 though, so maybe they are standard T5s), and using the cost of $8 per bulb, replacing 12 every 3 months your looking at $384/yr just in bulbs. I think building an LED light for that size scrubber would cost about 1/2 of just the bulb replacement costs for 1 year, and you would get the added benefit of using less electricity and not have to worry about replacing bulbs/LEDs for probably 5 years.