Second Attempt

[mikepao13]

[attachment=0:3bcp8kp8]DSC00011.jpg[/attachment:3bcp8kp8]

[mikepao13]

[attachment=0:1uc9tkb9]DSC00012.jpg[/attachment:1uc9tkb9]

[mikepao13]

[attachment=0:p7asii2k]DSC00015.jpg[/attachment:p7asii2k]

[mikepao13]

Hi

this is my second attenpt, the first one is also posted byt its half the size for my tank and not so much succesful.

my tank is 900 litres and above screen is 19 x 13, think is good enough...
have the option to add 8 cfl bulbs 23 watts and 30 watts
screen material is my main concern

i dond know if its better to leave this material or use the plastic one

please advise and any comments are wellcomed

[SantaMonica]

Material is ok, but you can't mount it around the pipe. Algae will fill in and block all flow. Use a slot. Is possible with that material, although canvas is stiffer.

Also add circular reflectors to the bulbs... very easy to do.

And for 235 gal, you'll want at least 115 total watts, with reflectors, 200 watts without reflectors. At least.

[mikepao13]

Thanks for your reply SM
i used that material around the pipe to block any splashing around and on bulbs
under that mesh thing theres also a plastic screen same as yours incerted IN the pipe
shal i remove the mash piece thats on top and just leave a norrow strip on the top just for the slpashing blocking?

await your advise

as for the watts, ill use 8 x 33watts cfls
is that ok?

[SantaMonica]

Yes all sound ok.

[mikepao13]

Great,

I now have to do the wating for the results
we'll see soon

[mikepao13]

My tank is very dirty and by 'very' i mean all liverock and the back glass is covered in brown / green algae.

The above ATS is running since Sunday, does it make any difference in the ATS screen growth?

I will start cleaning the back glass (a little piece every so i dont affect much the water quality).

Is that right?

[SantaMonica]

Don't clean the tank. That just puts more nutrients in the water, which make the scrubber grow darker. Let the algae in the tank melt away by itself.

[mikepao13]

Thanks for your advice... i was a bit confused on this .....

i think parts of the tank have becomed ATS screens, for example the back glass its full of algae and liverock as well

if i leave the tank as it is that means that the ATS screen will compete with the ATS screen and maybe the screen wont work so well

[SantaMonica]

If you pull the nuisance algae out of the display, then it's ok because the nutrients come out with it. But if you just let critters eat it, or if you just scrape it into the water, the extra nutrients will make the scrubber grow darker, which is not better. If your scrubber is already bright green, then you can experiment with the nuisance algae if you want. But it will go away on it's own.

[inkidu]

The idea behind an algae scrubber is to provide an area that is optimal for algae growth ( the right amount of light and flow)

Then you make is so you can easily export/remove the algae via cleaning the screen.

If you setup the scrubber well you will get to the point where the nutrients will be "consumed" by the algae where

the algae grows best i.e. in your scrubber. Then it can be removed/exported easily. Some times it takes time for things to become balanced.

Everything that produces waste can be considered a "bioload". This includes fish waste, rotting food, and algae/plant debris that rots etc...

The whole idea is to remove the waste produced by the "bioload" from the very small, in comparison to naturally occurring large bodies of water, closed systems.

Hope this helps.

[mikepao13]

Inkidu,

Thanks A LOT for your comments / advice.

[mikepao13]

A weeks progress below.
6 x 23watts 2700k cfl
2 x 26watts 6500k cfl

[attachment=1:v3nn8gmv]DSC00025.jpg[/attachment:v3nn8gmv]

[attachment=0:v3nn8gmv]DSC00026.jpg[/attachment:v3nn8gmv]

[mikepao13]

Please advise and comment for the first week progress.

Screen is dark brow and maybe i need to clean twice a week?

[SantaMonica]

Looks about perfect, considering CFL bulbs. It's not real dark stuff. Wait 3 more days and then start your 7 day cleaning cycle. If you decide to divide the screen into two halves, then you will clean one half every 5 days, then the other half in another 5 days. This will give 10 days for each screen to go.

[mikepao13]

Hi all,

its the day no. 20 today for the above scrubber. Today i cleaned it for 3rd time. Pictures from both cleanings later :)
my concern is that the screen is still quite brown - yellow - dark in most places as picture above...not green turf algae and when cleaning with a toothbrush, water becomes yellow
is this normal?
but the good think is that the display tank has shown very good sings of algae and diatoms clearing...still a lot to go....

Any comments?...is that "normal"?

[SantaMonica]

I hope you are removing it for cleaning.

Stronger lights will get green quicker. Weaker lights will get green slower.

Need to see pics of the yellow.

[mikepao13]

Ok,

thanks for your reply,

Lights are good i believe 6 x 23watts 2700k cfl and 2 x 26watts 6500k cfl for 19 x 13 screen
Flow is:
19 x 35g/hr = 665g/hr. My pump is 740 g/hr and is more than enought



i will post some pics soon so you get a better view

[mikepao13]

[attachment=1:34m8u6i7]DSC00039.jpg[/attachment:34m8u6i7]


[attachment=0:34m8u6i7]DSC00042.jpg[/attachment:34m8u6i7]

[mikepao13]

[attachment=1:6mz2f2zp]DSC00046.jpg[/attachment:6mz2f2zp]


[attachment=0:6mz2f2zp]DSC00049.jpg[/attachment:6mz2f2zp]

[SantaMonica]

Just keep cleaning more often, until starts turning green. Every 5 days.

[mikepao13]

Ok, thanks

do u think its does go well?

im i on the right track??

[SantaMonica]

Seems ok. As long as nitrate and phosphate and algae are dropping in the dispay.

[mikepao13]

Another two cleanings after above pictures and still not green algae.
Good thing, as already said above is that i have a HUGE elimination of algae and diatoms in my tank. Glass becomes sligtly dirty and needs cleaning ones a week only.

Is this normal? Why my screen is still dark?
i will try to find some 30 watts cfl or more. Only ones i found is the ones i use (6 x 23watts 2700k cfl and 2 x 26watts 6500k cfl)

Any thoughts?

[attachment=2:1ka94417]DSC00060.jpg[/attachment:1ka94417]

[attachment=1:1ka94417]DSC00064.jpg[/attachment:1ka94417]

[attachment=0:1ka94417]DSC00065.jpg[/attachment:1ka94417]

[SantaMonica]

It's just not enough light for how much nutrients you have. You'll have to wait for the nutrients to slowly come down. Or get more light.

[mikepao13]

So you think that all is ok?

Either get more watts or be more patient?

[rahjelli]

The fact you said you have a HUGE elimination of diatoms and algae in the tank I wouldn't change anything yet. It's filtering but like SM said you have a ton of nutrients thats why it's an oil slick, when they come down it will turn green, so yes patience is the way right now. just keep cleaning every 5 days.

I would also remove the 2 6500k bulbs and go all 8 2700k

[mikepao13]

ok, thanks

i will try to find some (2700k) 30 watts or more bulbs and wait to see

[mikepao13]

Still got problems. Recent diatom spike. :(

[attachment=1:328w9i7e]DSC00090.jpg[/attachment:328w9i7e]

[attachment=0:328w9i7e]DSC00091.jpg[/attachment:328w9i7e]

[SantaMonica]

Let it run 4 more weeks.

[mikepao13]

Except diatoms, the below circled spots are covered in an ashy type of algae.

Whats that?

[attachment=0:2sghz01y]DSC00091.jpg[/attachment:2sghz01y]

[SantaMonica]

Too small to see.

[mikepao13]

Its a like ash / dead algae type of thing like dust.

[mikepao13]

Some more pictures of my ATS in operation.

I will clean later today. Last clean was Sunday.

[attachment=2:3idqrajm]DSC00109.jpg[/attachment:3idqrajm]

[attachment=1:3idqrajm]DSC00110.jpg[/attachment:3idqrajm]

[attachment=0:3idqrajm]DSC00111.jpg[/attachment:3idqrajm]

[mikepao13]

[attachment=1:2pda6r21]DSC00112.jpg[/attachment:2pda6r21]

[attachment=0:2pda6r21]DSC00113.jpg[/attachment:2pda6r21]

[mikepao13]

Do you guys think i should stop operating above cos my lighting isn't good enought?

On my other post, CFL prob, you guys mentioned that a spiral cfl is not the right light!!!

This means that the whole box design is a &^$£*&^ :oops: :evil: :o :shock:

[rahjelli]

ok I see, yeah that's not going to work to its fullest capacity unless you either:

change the bulbs to R40 flood
add reflectors
change the tub to a white tub with a white lid

[rygh]

Yes, it definitely needs some tweaking.
The simplest is to just to buy some standard 23W outdoor flood CFL bulbs.
They have them at OSH, Lowes, Home Depot, and more.
The problem is, they may be too long and not fit.

Spiral is not so much the problem. The problem is that all the light is going the wrong way.
If you note, only the end of the spiral bulb, a small percentage, is really pointed toward the screen.
The main spirals project light toward the sides of your box.
So a reflector would help a lot.

[SantaMonica]

Yes there is a bit too much light in the small spots. But it's growing so it's not too bad. For now, just turn the light off 2 extra hours a day (16 hours total) so they don't burn the algae. If there are still bald spots, go to 14 hours. Continue cleaning every 5 days until it starts turning green, then every 7 days.

[mikepao13]

What do you mean there is a bit too much light in the small spots???....

Isn't the 'rule' 1 watt per sq inch?

My lights are on as requested. 18 on 6 off...

what shall i do? i cannot fit the longer bulbs insight.... :(

[rygh]

The very ends of the lights seem to be burning the algae. The dead circles just in front of the lights.

Suggestion:
Go buy some large plastic white or light colored funnels.
Cut the thin part out, so it fits on the base of the socket.
Silicone them on.
Super cheap and simple reflectors.
Also, turn the lights down to 16 hours as SM suggested.

On thing I have definitely learned. Those are not "RULES" just guidelines. ;)

[sklywag]

Stated by RYGH.
Spiral is not so much the problem. The problem is that all the light is going the wrong way.
If you note, only the end of the spiral bulb, a small percentage, is really pointed toward the screen.
The main spirals project light toward the sides of your box.
So a reflector would help a lot.

There is more light is being broadcasted from the sides of the bulbs filling the box with light. Imagine it like a flashlight, or a torch as you may call it. You want to direct the light towards your screen. If the box was all white as someone else suggested and others have built. It wouldn't be such a problem. Black is a poor reflector. Simple fix with some type of directional reflector.

[mikepao13]

To eliminate loosing most of the light is it ok if i close the box on top; i've got the lit.

Problem maybe the head but i can drill 4 holes (1.5inch) on each side for some "vendilation" and maybe a fan later.

Later this week my chiller will arrive and i can sort this out.

What to you say? Can i close it?

[SantaMonica]

if the electrical connections are sealed with silicon, yes. The sealing is more important than the ventilation.

[mikepao13]

Does this show that the ATS is on the right track?
Does this type of grow mean that there is good nutrient elimination?

[attachment=1:2irykbz6]DSC00120.jpg[/attachment:2irykbz6]

[attachment=0:2irykbz6]DSC00123.jpg[/attachment:2irykbz6]

[SantaMonica]

Any algae that grows on the screen will reduce nutrients. When the nutrients are high, the growth is dark. When the nutrients get lower, the growth is green. However you can make green grow quicker (and remove nutrients quicker) by using more light.

So yes, it is working.

[rahjelli]

Are you cleaning it every 5 days? can see several "pod ring" areas, don't let it go long thinking it will help more, that dark stuff doesn't get any bigger

[mikepao13]

Silicates - Diatoms - RO/DI

still got some diatoms, didn't test for silicates but im suspecting the top off water

Is top off water the only imput way of silicates in my tank?

I added a DI unit on my RO the other day hoping that was the base of the problem.

Asked the RO guy to test the TDS and 0.

Tested again the RO water (without DI - drinking) and it was 0.8 or 0.08, not sure.

[rygh]

Regarding TDS: I have a decent tester, but it does not measure decimal places.
My RODI is 3 ppm.
Some old distilled water was 1 ppm.
My tap water is 315 ppm. Ouch.

[SantaMonica]

A TDS of 3 is horrible. All of that 3 is the stuff you don't want.

[mikepao13]

Ok,

Is that responsible for silicates / diatoms?

[rygh]

A TDS of 3 is horrible. All of that 3 is the stuff you don't want.
Are you using a different scale? Maybe mg/l ?
For ppm, 3 is quite good. Not perfect, but not horrible.
Not even time to change the membrane. Usually done when it hits 8 or so.

[SantaMonica]

Everytime I see someone where tds is not 0, there is usually phosphate problems. And all the rodi makers say that once tds is 1 or 2, it means it's time for repair.