I need help with my ATS

[vsutarov]

I can't grow decent long algae on my ATS for almost 2 months.It is only brown/red slimy on the scrubber surface.This is my info:
-pump 2000L/h
-scrubber 27cm(10.5inch) long
-light T5 normal 5x8W 6500K.I also tried 23W CFL warm white,but no difference.
-distance from light about 6cm/2.5inch.I tried also more distance,but also no luck.
-photoperiod 17 hours per day.Also tried less,but almost the same result.
-cleaning.Tried different time intervals for cleaning,from few days to 10 days
Measurings:
NO3=5ppm Salifert and D-D
PO4=0.02-0.06ppm Hanna. I also use PO4 remover from time to time when PO4 goes up.
I am almost certain that I have enough flow and light,but I am missing something
Here are some pictures from 8 days of growing:

http://s24.postimg.org/7f8egeiu9/IMG_20130929_141316.jpg (http://postimg.org/image/7f8egeiu9/)

http://s24.postimg.org/4zb6gaq5d/IMG_20130929_141512.jpg (http://postimg.org/image/4zb6gaq5d/)

http://s24.postimg.org/xxr1p4hk1/IMG_20130929_141542.jpg (http://postimg.org/image/xxr1p4hk1/)

http://s24.postimg.org/bkjb2bgm9/IMG_20130929_185842.jpg (http://postimg.org/image/bkjb2bgm9/)

http://s24.postimg.org/etxq8s4pt/IMG_20130929_185858.jpg (http://postimg.org/image/etxq8s4pt/)

[SantaMonica]

Without pics, I'd say the light is too low.

Try your pics a different way.

[vsutarov]

I suppose you ment lights are too high from the pictures.Maybe they should go 1 inch lower but it is not posible from this setup.First lamp from up is now facing a little lower where canvas gets out from pipe.I thought this shoild not affect so much for algae growth.I will try more pics tomorrow.

[SantaMonica]

There are no pics.

[vsutarov]

Now I see what you mean,sorry.I don't know why can't you see them.I will try another way,with copying the links.
http://postimg.org/image/7f8egeiu9/
http://postimg.org/image/4zb6gaq5d/
http://postimg.org/image/xxr1p4hk1/
http://postimg.org/image/bkjb2bgm9/
http://postimg.org/image/etxq8s4pt/

[SantaMonica]

Still can't see them. Try uploading to the forum from your computer.

[vsutarov]

48364837483848394840

[kotlec]

I see pics 3 diff ways.

[vsutarov]

I don't know what is going on with my atachment.I see all pics with no problem.I will try from another computer later.

[Floyd R Turbo]

I can see all the attachments you posted.

From your pictures, your flow looks OK. 528 GPH / 10.5" = 50 GPH/in but that's before head losses from the pump, I'm guessing even if it's 1/2 of that, you should be getting growth.

Your screen looks about as tall as it is wide. I'm going to assume it is 10" tall, so 10x10 = 100 sq in

I think your problem is your lighting. You are using T5 8W x 5 but the top one is at the level of the pipe and is doing nothing. So 8W x 4 = 32W. This is severely underlit. Also, your lights have not reflectors, so you automatically lose about 75% of the light. That means that you really only have about 8-10W of light actually hitting the screen. The minimum guideline is essentially 10 times this. Additionally, your screen is one-sided, which is inherently weaker, but I understand your space issues. Also, 6500K is the wrong spectrum. You need 2700K-3000K. It may not have worked for you before but there are all kinds of other reasons why it might not have worked, lighting is only one part of the picture.

I also think your screen is too big. Why is your screen so large? Are you feeding 8 cubes of food per day? The new guideline is feeding based - a 10x10 screen is good for 8 cubes/day (12 sq in of screen for every cube of food fed per day, so 100 sq in/12 = 8.3 cubes/day). Consider reducing the screen to a more manageable size, then finding a way to light it on both sides.

Consider this example, which would be good for 3 cubes of food per day of feeding, or thereabouts:

Reduce screen to 6" x 6". You can trim the width down and leave the length at 10" so that the water will have a quiet path to the sump, but the effective growth area will be only 6" x 6"
Place a 2700K CFL on each side, with a dome-style reflector. Try to find a 23 to 32W CFL. 23W is a pretty common size (actual wattage, not equivalent).
You can also use a floodlight CFL, this is a CFL lamp that is within a floodlight housing, since it has a built in reflector, it will not take up as much space and you can light both sides. a 6"x6" screen is about the maximum size you would want for a floodlight CFL.
Continue to use the same pump - you may have to dial back the flow a little bit

[vsutarov]

Thank you very much.Improving The light and screen size will be my next step.

[vsutarov]

I decided to buy LED grow light.In the meantime I changed the light with CFL 25W 2700K and put in something that looks like a reflector.Next step will be cutting the screen.
Here are some pics:

[rleahaines]

I decided to buy LED grow light.In the meantime I changed the light with CFL 25W 2700K and put in something that looks like a reflector.Next step will be cutting the screen.
Here are some pics:

Your new setup should work.

You mentioned that you ordered an LED growlight. When you get it and set it up post here.

The CFL light you now have should work. You will need to let the screen grow for some time before you will get heavy growth.

Be patient.

Remember you are not raising algae but using the scrubber to reduce nitrates and phosphates.

[vsutarov]

No,I didn't buy LED light,just decided to buy because I think is the best for this purpose and for my small space.When I install it I will post here.