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Cole
10-07-2012, 06:54 AM
3348334933503351335233533354 So last weekend I finally got my ats started up and its doing pretty good this is the first week of growth and im pretty excited about it. on each side i have on large and small reflector both with 23watt cfl in them the screen is 12 by 8"... When should i scrape the screen off for the first time. Also anything you guys would suggest for better growth or just to improve the scrubber would be appreciated . Some of the pics are upside down im not sure why but you guys get the point the algae is greener in person also
Thanks
kerry
10-07-2012, 06:58 AM
Hello,
You need a way smaller screen if you are not feeding more then a few cubes a day. Also the smaller screen allows the algae to grow more dense and makes the filtering capacity MUCH greater. See this link for sizing the screen. http://algaescrubber.net/forums/showthread.php?1419-New-sizing-guidelines
Its looking good for the first week!! Knock down the screen to the proper size and you will be green in no time.
Cole
10-07-2012, 07:03 AM
im actually feeding 3 cubes a day and 2 strips of algae. would you still say go smaller I know its slightly to big for that amount of food but didn't think that was a big deal
Thanks.
kerry
10-07-2012, 07:04 AM
What is the size of your screen?
Cole
10-07-2012, 07:07 AM
12 by 8
kerry
10-07-2012, 07:15 AM
You should decrease by about 50%. A screen sized to the food load out performs an over sized screen exponentially in most cases. You will need at least 24 watts per side with a 6x8 screen. This will get you filtering in no time.
Garf
10-07-2012, 07:21 AM
Try to get the lights closer to the centre of the screen also.
Cole
10-07-2012, 07:36 AM
ok i will put those on my list for things to do
Thanks for the help. still open for more suggestions
Cole
10-07-2012, 07:40 AM
how often should i scrape off the screen
kerry
10-07-2012, 07:57 AM
1-2 weeks, it needs it now be cause it looks like its falling away from the screen.
Cole
10-07-2012, 08:54 AM
the part that looks like its falling off is just where i smeared algae on at the beginning of the week
kerry
10-07-2012, 11:06 AM
I gotcha, I would still clean it. Once you get the down sizing done it will be a real nice green and filter better for you. Be sure the screen is SUPER rough too as this helps with the growth.
Floyd R Turbo
10-08-2012, 12:09 PM
rough like this


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mrCWALt9Qs

as noted, reduce your screen size. Also from the pics it looks like your flow is rather low, because you can see that the water is gathering together at the bottom of the screen and dropping off in lines. It should be enough that it should sheet off in a continuous manner off the bottom edge of the screen like in this picture:

http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt191/FloydRTurbo/2011%20Aquarium%20Pics/Miscellaneous/ATS%20Designs/RC_BSOD.jpg