My new Santa Monica RAIN2 Algae Scrubber

[reeftang]

I installed it on my 50gal cube, its running off its own 300GPH pump, the design of this scrubber is just genius it is compact and waterproof and safe, that means if fits right into the sump and that was perfect for me since i do have limited space, i can not imagine going with any of the other bulky ones as it wouldn't fit anywhere. And its also super silent.

I tested my water here is the results.

P04: 0.12
N03: 25

I do have a GHA issue in my tank right now, so im doing a blackout at the same time hoping to kill off the GHA in the DT and hopefully starting to grow in the scrubber. Im currently running 2 light 24 hours.

[reeftang]

DAY 2, I think i see something starting to happen at the corners.

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[reeftang]

DAY 5. I was told by Santa Monica not to run the light 24 hours, so now im running them only 18 on and 6 off. Im not sure whats growing on the screen it doent look like a green color but lets wait and see i guess.

I will test my water soon and update the water parameters.

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[SantaMonica]

Unplug 1 light, and use just the other 1 light for the next 10 days. Should fill in nicely.

[reeftang]

why is it that 1 light make more algae grow?

[SantaMonica]

The light is too strong on a white screen. After growth covers the white with darker colors, it can handle more light.

[reeftang]

DAY 6: Has increased a bit.

[reeftang]

DAY 9: Not sure whats going on here. Need some help. Im getting some gray and back and rust color at the corners. I did add some activated carbon to the tank think that has anything to do with it?

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[SantaMonica]

Looks normal, just let it fill in. Once most of the holes are filled in, plug in the second light.

[reeftang]

I still run both lights 18/6.

[reeftang]

What this brown rust color is normal?

[SantaMonica]

Ok then just let them both run another week.

[reeftang]

Ok thank you, i will update in a few days.

[reeftang]

DAY 11: I hope its all looking ok, im still running 2 light 18/6 what do you guys think??? Any input to make it grow faster would be greatly appreciated.

PO4:0.16 NO3:25

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[SantaMonica]

Seems fine, although a bit too much light.

[reeftang]

So should i cut back on the hours or the lights?

[reeftang]

Just found out that my MAG is at 1500, do you guys think that might be an issue because i read that people raise their MAG to stop algae growth.

[SantaMonica]

Use 1 light. Mag is not an issue and you do not need to think about it, unless you want to reduce it which is fine.

[reeftang]

Day 13: So im running only one light as instructed. Its a very dark brown color.i dont know why its taking that long for it to start growing some real algae.

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[reeftang]

So my GAH in my display tank is still very persistent and growing. Just wondering maybe it would be a goos idea to pull some of the GHA i have in my DT and put it on to the screen to speed up the process???

[reeftang]

DAY 16: So since im only running one light i have noticed that the other side where the light is not, filled up alot more. Besides for that nitrate and phosphate still the same. Im wondering if i should switch which side the light is running so that way the other side should fill in???

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[SantaMonica]

Just let it fill in. The first coating of growth of any screen takes the most time, from 2 weeks to a month, depending on chemistry. After all the holes in the screen are filled in, turn on the second light.

Nitrate and phosphate (N and P) are not going to be affected until growth is thick enough to harvest.

What is your Alk?

[reeftang]

Just let it fill in. The first coating of growth of any screen takes the most time, from 2 weeks to a month, depending on chemistry. After all the holes in the screen are filled in, turn on the second light.

Nitrate and phosphate (N and P) are not going to be affected until growth is thick enough to harvest.

What is your Alk?

My alk is at 8.5.

[reeftang]

also i have these small balls of algae growing the side that the light is on, should i maybe scrape it on to the bald areas to fill it in???

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[SantaMonica]

No just let it fill in until most of the holes are filled, probably another few days, then plug in the second light. The roots are still attaching to the screen for the first time.

[reeftang]

No just let it fill in until most of the holes are filled, probably another few days, then plug in the second light. The roots are still attaching to the screen for the first time.

So came home today the screen was pretty much covered on one side the other side had some spots so i scraped the some algae from the other spots and filled in the uncovered spots and turned on both lights now in the hopes to get more growth, my nutrients are still pretty high.

[reeftang]

So at this point its already beed 3 weeks my nutrient levels are up there and its not growing properly, not sure whats going on or whats taking so long???

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[reeftang]

Finally at the 4 week mark starting to see some growth, but no decrease in p04 or n03 or the GHA in the display.

Here are some pics.

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[SantaMonica]

Still too bright for 2 lights. I'd do one light.

[reeftang]

Still too bright for 2 lights. I'd do one light.

I just looked at the screen again and its filling in the bald spot nicely, i haveto say now in week 4 that it started growing the green stuff every day makes a huge difference it even looks different from the morning.

Honestly im a little afraid to turn off one light at this point because some algae might die on that side, what do you think?

[SantaMonica]

Turn off. It would have progressed much faster if you did that from the start.

[reeftang]

Turn off. It would have progressed much faster if you did that from the start.

one side has more algae then the other, which side should i turn off?

[SantaMonica]

Turn off the side with less algae. When the holes are full, turn it back on.

[reeftang]

Wow so it really started growing so much. Should i be doing my first harvest?

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[SantaMonica]

3 more days. Then brush most off, including tray and slot. Then run another week, still with 1 light.

[reeftang]

3 more days. Then brush most off, including tray and slot. Then run another week, still with 1 light.

Brush??? Not card???

[SantaMonica]

Yes brush because you want to get the stuff out of the holes.

[reeftang]

Yes brush because you want to get the stuff out of the holes.

why would i want to start from scratch???

[reeftang]

UPDATE: Some GHA in the DT is starting to die off detaching from the rock and floating around.

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[SantaMonica]

It's not starting from scratch. Cells are attached to the screen.

[reeftang]

Do i scrape yet??? Or still wait???

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[SantaMonica]

Yes take to the sink brush the tray/slot/screen. Then run with 1 light for another week.

[Reefkpr]

Can't beat the Santa Monica Rain 2. Algae production is awesome and keeps my nutrients in perfect shape.


https://i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg554/reefkpr/IMG_20190124_080345_853_zpsxznexovg.jpg (https://s1243.photobucket.com/user/reefkpr/media/IMG_20190124_080345_853_zpsxznexovg.jpg.html)
https://i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg554/reefkpr/Late%20Jan_zpsyozhqqni.jpg (https://s1243.photobucket.com/user/reefkpr/media/Late%20Jan_zpsyozhqqni.jpg.html)

[reeftang]

Can't beat the Santa Monica Rain 2. Algae production is awesome and keeps my nutrients in perfect shape.


https://i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg554/reefkpr/IMG_20190124_080345_853_zpsxznexovg.jpg (https://s1243.photobucket.com/user/reefkpr/media/IMG_20190124_080345_853_zpsxznexovg.jpg.html)
https://i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg554/reefkpr/Late%20Jan_zpsyozhqqni.jpg (https://s1243.photobucket.com/user/reefkpr/media/Late%20Jan_zpsyozhqqni.jpg.html)

WOW is all i can say. Do you have any other filtration and what is your maintenance do you do water changes?

[Reefkpr]

WOW is all i can say. Do you have any other filtration and what is your maintenance do you do water changes?


Thank you. I run the Rain 2, skimmer and that's it. I do 10 gallon water changes every 10 days. Turkey baste or stir sand bed before the water change and clean glass. That's about it. I was dosing AquaForest Component 1 2 3 for 1 year and 9 months and recently switched to a Calcium Reactor.

[reeftang]

Thank you. I run the Rain 2, skimmer and that's it. I do 10 gallon water changes every 10 days. Turkey baste or stir sand bed before the water change and clean glass. That's about it.

Did you bleach your rock?

[reeftang]

So i did my first scrape sorry i forgot to take pics. Its already growing nicely on the second round. However no decrease in nutrients, would love to hear your thoughts.

[SantaMonica]

Let grow and do pics

[reeftang]

Ok so this is the second round of growing after the first scrape, i dont know why it coming in this light color any idea? I did bring down the phosphate a bit with phosphate RX but not all the way my water still has phosphates for sure. im currently running both lights 21/3. Oh and im also doing water changes to help bring the nutrients down.

Nutrient levels:
Phosphates: 0.03
Nitrates: 30

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[SantaMonica]

Ok clean the screen, tray and pipe. That type of growth cannot hang on much longer. Probably will need to clean every 7 days while it grows like this.

[reeftang]

So while the scrubber is braking in and actually start having an impact at lowering my nutrients, i decided to take matters into my own hands, so po4 i was able to bring down no problem with some phosphate RX it is now at 0.03 and not rising yet, however my nitrates is what im having an issue with, even after doing a 40% water change followed by a few smaller ones and bringing it down to 10 within a week ill be back at 30 any ideas what can be the issue?

[SantaMonica]

Yes, not enough export compared to feeding.

[reeftang]

Yes, not enough export compared to feeding.

So when can i expect this scrubber to start haveing even the slightest effect on my nutrients because so far I have not seen any. Do you think my phosphates being this low and nitrates is high is a problem for the scrubber?

Can you please try to reply ASAP.

[SantaMonica]

Just keep filling the screen and harvesting it. Change the number of days of growth to get the most growth.

[reeftang]

Just keep filling the screen and harvesting it. Change the number of days of growth to get the most growth.

What do you mean by changing the number of growth. You mean more days?

[SantaMonica]

Yes, more or less days of growth, to get the largest harvest. That will remove the most nutrients.

[reeftang]

Yes, more or less days of growth, to get the largest harvest. That will remove the most nutrients.
Not following you why less???

[SantaMonica]

Because too much light will reduce growth.

[reeftang]

Because too much light will reduce growth.
im honestly very confused frustrated at this point, i have seen many vidoes like CJ for example where they have all 4 lights with the same nutrients and get crazy growth after just a few weeks. it seems like every time i ask something there is like another response just to push me another week or 10 days. can you please tell me specific instructions on what i need to do here to make this $300 scrubber actually start working and effecting my nutrients?

Thank You

[SantaMonica]

Each tank is different. Nutrients measured in the water is just one thing. Most other things you cannot measure. Some scrubbers jump into action, others stay almost pure white for months, and others like yours are in the middle, with some light growth of brownish color. Which is still filtering. Brown has more filtering that the same amount of green, as long as you harvest it before it lets go. Black has the most.

There is nothing more you can do, it will change on it's own. If you want to triple your feeding, you can make some quick growth changes though. Just let it grow and focus on other things.

[reeftang]

Each tank is different. Nutrients measured in the water is just one thing. Most other things you cannot measure. Some scrubbers jump into action, others stay almost pure white for months, and others like yours are in the middle, with some light growth of brownish color. Which is still filtering. Brown has more filtering that the same amount of green, as long as you harvest it before it lets go. Black has the most.

There is nothing more you can do, it will change on it's own. If you want to triple your feeding, you can make some quick growth changes though. Just let it grow and focus on other things.
How do i know when it lets go. How many days is max?

[SantaMonica]

Use this as a guide:

https://algaescrubber.net/WaterfallColors.jpg

[reeftang]

Use this as a gude:

https://algaescrubber.net/WaterfallColors.jpg

Ummmmmm ok.

[reeftang]

Because too much light will reduce growth.

so should i be doing less hours? also here is a video of my flow rate pls let me know what you think.


https://photos.app.goo.gl/dqTYocbPKAtsvFrs7

[SantaMonica]

Looks good. Brush clean and let grow another week.

[reeftang]

Looks good. Brush clean and let grow another week.

The brush doesnt do much i scraped it with a card is that good enough????

[SantaMonica]

Whichever you need to do, so you see the white screen again.

[reeftang]

Whichever you need to do, so you see the white screen again.

this is 10 days in this new schedule running opposite display. Still getting the hard green growth not hair. and what are these orange spots????

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[SantaMonica]

Ok you are finally at the your first filled-in stage. The round spots are pods eating. And the spray is typical of a waterfall that has full growth.

Pods are always eating, but when the growth is thinner like this you can see their pathway. Cleaning in freshwater will get rid of them.

Spraying is not a factor with the Rain, because the dome keeps all the water in, and the GEM5 lights are submersible. And it's an indicator of time to clean.

So now both lights should be plugged in, and the screen, pipe, and tray should all be brushed out in your sink. The next cleaning will probably be 7 to 10 days, and might be thicker.

[reeftang]

So this is after harvest, the bright orange spots have gotten bigger, what does this mean and how do inprevent it. I did brush that part out completely.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/fJ4VW8ZpVieMXmzDA

[reeftang]

Try pics again

pls see below, this is after i scraped it. i tried taking off most of the light orange spots. oh and i didnt really see any pods that are eating it. my phosphate is at 0.03 and my nitrate is at 3.

https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipP41uFL-hrXYfNcDEtz_XFJsRi4rBbJSIH6_Zdd
https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipPFss-jVgCvLaeMTlqJMjCtFJtsLx81ieIqbqIC
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[SantaMonica]

You won't see the copepods... too small. Anyway you can reduce your other filtering now so the screen can get thicker.

[reeftang]

You won't see the copepods... too small. Anyway you can reduce your other filtering now so the screen can get thicker.

Like what, i only have a skimmer, should i close that?

[SantaMonica]

That's one way. Will give more food particles to the corals too. But wait until you've had several full harvests, so you know how it works.

[reeftang]

That's one way. Will give more food particles to the corals too. But wait until you've had several full harvests, so you know how it works.

Im not following l, you said reduce other filtration so im asking you. Now ur telling me not to reduce it? So is it yes or no?

[SantaMonica]

Wait until you have harvested 5 full screens, then turn off skimmer.

[reeftang]

Its still getting lighter every round now any sugesttions??? And my nitrates are riseing.

Phosphates: 0.02. Nitrates: 15 - 20

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[reeftang]

Forgot to mention that i was raising my light intensity in my display tank the last few weeks think thats whats making it happen?

[SantaMonica]

No the display is not a factor here. But do a good brushing of the screen and tray, and check back in another week.

[reeftang]

No the display is not a factor here. But do a good brushing of the screen and tray, and check back in another week.

Thats what you keep on saying. What is causing this?