my homemade ATS acrylic box [Archive]

dota

10-21-2010, 07:14 AM

this is the 2nd week of scrubbing. it's been 2 weeks but my green algae seems so little.. most of it Red and brown ... there are also some dark green algae..
Well, my nitrate is about 50mg/L, is it the cause?

http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu2/ridwanlay/IMG00580-20101021-1759-1.jpg

SantaMonica

10-21-2010, 11:38 AM

Yes. More light power, or more time.

dota

10-22-2010, 07:42 AM

i got 14W x 4 TL bulb.. (each side)should take 1 off..?

SantaMonica

10-22-2010, 08:53 AM

Use them for now.

dota

11-18-2010, 11:13 AM

ive been running my ATS for more than 1 month... but the result... nothing untill now.. nitrate still very high 50mg /l, i dunno bout PO4. :( :( i dunno wats wrong to the water...

well, i didnt really clean the screen every 7 days..
ATS is my only filteration system.. im not even using the sponge filter anymore.

i thought in 1 month my nitrate will be down to at least 10 - 15 mg/ l...but not even close.. :( :( :(

Im hopeless now

SantaMonica

11-18-2010, 12:09 PM

How many full screens have you cleaned off?

dota

11-19-2010, 05:50 AM

About 3- 4 times so far

SantaMonica

11-19-2010, 07:00 AM

Let's see a pic before and after cleaning.

dota

11-19-2010, 11:09 PM

Let's see a pic before and after cleaning.

ok i will post few pics tomorrow.
as my NO3 very high( 50mg/l), do i need to do the water change first ? or just leave it to the ATS to eat all the no3 ?

SantaMonica

11-19-2010, 11:12 PM

Any way of lowering NO3 will help.

dota

11-24-2010, 02:36 AM

first of all let me introduce my ATS

PH = 3600 lph (i think im going to upgrade it to 4500 lph) should i ?
i use 2 screen (32.5 cm x 20 cm)
light was on 13 hours, but i just changed 2 days ago to (18 hours on)
14W x 4 FL bulb (each side)
and my aquarium is 150 x 60 x 60 Cm

It's look like this...
http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu2/ridwanlay/IMG00529-20101010-1237.jpg

The first few weeks..
http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu2/ridwanlay/IMG00562-20101017-1329.jpg

2 months later (NOW) BEFORE Cleaning
http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu2/ridwanlay/IMG00015-20101122-1743.jpg

AFTER cleaning
http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu2/ridwanlay/IMG00645-20101122-1744.jpg

i didnt clean it every 7 days, sometimes maybe 10 days ( if im lazy). i always clean one screen each time.
but the thing is, in that 7 days the algae wont grow that thick.. dats why sometimes i leave it to 10 days..
On the bottom of the ats box there are some dark green hair algae, should i clean it?

my No3 was high.. about 40 - 50 mg/L :oops: , and now... still about the same (i just tested it couple days ago)
why..?

this is the cover of my overflow box, does this algae do any good for reducing the no3?
http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu2/ridwanlay/IMG00551-20101014-1804.jpg

btw, i feed my fishes quite alot 3 -5 times a day (small portion) with pellet (most of times) , sometimes Nori.
is that too much ..?
how many % of algae should i leave it ?
Please help me out boss :)

SantaMonica

11-24-2010, 06:56 AM

PH = 3600 lph (i think im going to upgrade it to 4500 lph) should i ?
i use 2 screen (32.5 cm x 20 cm)

If your two screens are end-to-end, they are about 32 X 2 = 64cm wide (25 inches). Flow should be 25 X 35 = 875 gph = 3325 lph. So if the screens are single layer, you should have enough. More flow can be better, if your screen is rough so that the algae can hold on.

i didnt clean it every 7 days, sometimes maybe 10 days ( if im lazy). i always clean one screen each time. but the thing is, in that 7 days the algae wont grow that thick.

Dark growth won't get thick.

dats why sometimes i leave it to 10 days. my No3 was high.. about 40 - 50 mg/L, and now... still about the same (i just tested it couple days ago) why..?

Because you are not cleaning it enough. High nitrate means dark growth. Dark growth needs to be cleaned ever 3 or 4 days, until nitrates come come down. Then it will be more green and you can go more days.

this is the cover of my overflow box, does this algae do any good for reducing the no3?

If you clean it at the same time as the screens, yes.

i feed my fishes quite alot 3 -5 times a day (small portion) with pellet (most of times) , sometimes Nori. is that too much ..?

14W x 4 FL bulb (each side)

112 total watts. You should be able to feed about 10 cubes a day. Not yet though, until it starts growing green.

how many % of algae should i leave

Clean all of the dark stuff off. Don't leave any dark stuff on the screen. Later, when it's green, you can leave some green on, but not much.

dota

11-25-2010, 01:20 AM

is my algae still consider as a dark growth ...?

on the pic " AFTER cleaning" should i clean the screen more..? i mean should i get rid that bit of dark stuff off or is it clean enough ?

Oke, i will clean in every 3days for the moment

And thank You a lot !

SantaMonica

11-25-2010, 07:46 AM

It is still dark.

Your cleaning looks good.

dota

11-29-2010, 09:45 PM

hey bos, i just curious how long do u think my " dark growth " will be turn greener..?

last week i've been cleaned the screen twice ( every 3 days both screen at a time), which is usually i cleaned one screen only at a time.

today, i saw the screen still hv dark growth, i will be cleaning the screen again on thrusday. i know my nitrate is still high, dats y it grew dark.

so, im just curious how long does it take ? coz at the moment i dont hv time to do the water change at all.

SantaMonica

11-29-2010, 11:26 PM

A few weeks, or a few months, depending on how strong the light is, and how much you feed. Stronger light, and less feeding, will speed it up.

dota

11-30-2010, 03:15 AM

i think my light is strong enough. well, i guess i need to diet my fishes then

dota

12-14-2010, 10:24 PM

i've been using ATS bout 2 month n no3 still very high...
the last 2 weeks ive been cleanning it twice a week due to high no3..
n now, i just realize my LR getting brown..

when i used to use PS + little (screen)ATS, the LR was good ( no brown), but the no3 about the same.

... dont know what happen, but it is true, my LR is not white n purple, but its brown n lil purple :( :cry: :cry: :cry:

SantaMonica

12-15-2010, 09:11 AM

dota

12-15-2010, 09:58 PM

Your scrubber is just not strong enough to get the nutrients down quickly. It is working... they are not getting higher.

It's probably the lights. Remember they have to be replaced every 3 months. What K are they? Get 2700 or 3000K and replace them.

i think the light is strong enough, which is 14W x4 FL buld ( each side) n it just been use bout 2month.
My Screen : 27 " x 8"
do u think my spec not strong enough?
(let say, not the whole screen is doing well.. let just say 25 " x 7 ")

i know its working, but i doesnt show it best as its told...
if in 3 months there is no even 1 - 5mg NO3 coming down, why would i spend more moeny to buy light..? :(

SantaMonica

12-15-2010, 10:19 PM

Because once the green starts, it filters much more than the brown does, then you can remove the extra lights.

You are using the minimum light, which is 0.5 watts per square inch.

1.0 watts per square inch is for high filtering.

dota

12-15-2010, 11:47 PM

1.0 square inches of screen per gallon, with bulbs on BOTH sides (10 x 10 = 100 square inches = 100 gal)
[1.64 square cm per liter]

my aquarium = 125 gallon
my ATS Light 14Wx 4 (each side), so total = 112 W

if i calculate correctly, its about 0.89 watts per square inch.
almost 1.0 watts per square inch. (HIGH filtering)

is it right..?

i think there is nothing wrong with my ATS, i really made 1 look like SM100, but it just a bit bigger.

if i leave the screen till 1 week, it will grow dark green, as u said, because of high nitrate. then i cleaned it every 3 days (which is all still brown).
if my tank Have 0 nitrate, will it grow green in 3 days time..?

n also, im thinking to put back on my PS on sunday. to help filtering...

SantaMonica

12-16-2010, 06:06 PM

Your number were right.

If it gets green in 7 days, leave it for 7 days.

dota

12-16-2010, 11:57 PM

ok, again.. so i'll leave it for 7 days, see if my nitrate could go down..
Thx bos

dota

01-02-2011, 09:10 AM

i've been start running my skimmer again since 17 Dec 2010 ( 2 weeks ago), .... at last, my ATS now greener (i will post a photo), n also all the dust that stay on the bottom of my sump is now almost all gone...
i will test my no3 2 weeks later, see how it goes.

its amazing for those of u that can only run an ATS to take care of the filtration system..(i wish i can do that too).. but it failed me :(

SantaMonica

01-02-2011, 09:33 AM

Actually, looking again at your screen:

My Screen : 27 " x 8"

= 216 square inches.

So I was right... you are only running about 0.5 watts per inch.... not enough for a high bioload tank.

Double the lights, and you will be able to use a scrubber as your only filter.

dota

01-03-2011, 10:17 AM

i dont think i can be able to upgrade the light, coz there is no space..well, actually i can ! just need to buy the T5 HO, which is hv more watts.

but instead of upgrading the light.. wat bout if just cut the screen to a smaller size.

let just say i cut the screen to 20" x 6.5" ( 130 square inches) with my current light ( 112 W) it will make to 0.86 W / square inches right..?
(consider as high filtering)

anyway my screen ( 27" x 8") it too large. i dont need it. so i shall just cut to a smaller piece .

Will it be better in 20" x 6.5" with 112 W Right Mr.green ...?

SantaMonica

01-03-2011, 03:36 PM

You have 142 gal of high bioload. This needs 142 square inches, and 142 total watts for high filtering.

Reducing the screen size does not increase filtering; it just reduces flow.

Your scrubber is a good design and will probably be able to keep up once it gets going, but you might have to reducing feeding for a few months, if you can't add more light.

dota

01-03-2011, 09:42 PM

sorry, i still dont get it, why u said i got "142 gal of high bioload"...? cause my tank only 125 Gal

SantaMonica

01-03-2011, 11:03 PM

i think the light is strong enough, which is 14W x4 FL buld ( each side) n it just been use bout 2month. My Screen : 27 " x 8"

How do you fit fit four 14 watt bulbs on each side?

Let's see the bulbs.

dota

01-04-2011, 01:32 AM

??? how do i fit..? it just the same pattern like SM100.. ( see the pic on page 2) it just like dat. nothing special. just an ordinary way.
well, if u really curious bout the light.. i will post a photo then.

SantaMonica

01-04-2011, 06:14 AM

Yes, pics of lights.

dota

01-04-2011, 07:40 AM

here's the light 4 x 14W each side
http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu2/ridwanlay/lampuats.jpg

i think the photo size is too large.. please see the link

http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu2/ ... mpuats.jpg (http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu2/ridwanlay/lampuats.jpg)

dota

01-04-2011, 08:24 AM

hhmm... suddenly, i just realize that i think u just right, there s'thing not right with my ATS.

firstly, my screen was too wide (27" x 8 ") the left n the right side is not growing so much algae, coz lack of light...
then, there is no point that i zig zag the light just to get wider, dont u think so..?

sencondly, the slot hole was too narrow. this evening i just bigger the slot hole.., so more flow to the screen. So when algae grown all over the slot.. u know what happen..

anyway, as i bigger the slot hole, the water pressure cannot reach the end of the pipe. so defenitely tomorrow i gotta shorten the screen to (22.5" x 5.5") = 123,75" with 112W light both side. it will be better than my old screen right righttt...?
is the same isnt it?

You have 142 gal of high bioload. This needs 142 square inches, and 142 total watts for high filtering.

why u saying i hv " 142 G " ...? i dont understand, whereas i only hv 'bout 125 G

SantaMonica

01-04-2011, 12:47 PM

125 gal.

The end of a CFL bulb has no power. You lose 2 inches at each end. So a 24 inch long bulb only has power for 20 inches. An 18 inch bulb only has power for 14 inches, etc.

So, only the middle of your screen is getting light-power. The ends are not. This is your problem.

Also, you should use High Output bulbs, which are 24 watts each.

You should never stagger T5 bulb placements. All bulbs should be lined up, and the screen should not even go to the ends, since the ends don't do anything.

I would:

1: Switch to High-Output T5 bulbs.

2: Re-mount the bulbs in-line.

3: Reduce the width of the screen to be 4 inches shorter that the bulb length (if the bulbs are 24 inches, make the screen 20 inches.)

4: Use a single layer of scren, in a 1/8 inch (3mm) slot.

dota

01-05-2011, 01:38 AM

I would:

1: Switch to High-Output T5 bulbs.

2: Re-mount the bulbs in-line.

3: Reduce the width of the screen to be 4 inches shorter that the bulb length (if the bulbs are 24 inches, make the screen 20 inches.)

4: Use a single layer of scren, in a 1/8 inch (3mm) slot.

Thanks alot SANTA !!!
i was just about to do that too. but my slot now about 4 -5 mm, when it was 3mm, the algae always block the water flow..
i think, i stay with my light, and see how it goes... coz the T5HO bit expensive to me :(

dota

01-05-2011, 09:34 AM

mmm actually there is 1 more thing.

Why should i use the T5HO (24W)...?

coz my screen are now 20 " x 6" only = 120square "
n my light total is 112 W
so, its 0.93 W / Square "

is good right ? i know, my screen is just not large enough to cover the gallon size.. but i mean for that size of screen, using only 112W is good right..?

SantaMonica

01-05-2011, 10:34 AM

Because more light is stronger filtering. And you are trying to get stronger filtering. But go ahead and use what you have for a while and see if it works.

dota

01-12-2011, 10:45 AM

After i reduced the witdh of my screen to a 4" shorter than the bulb length n also i hv re- mounted the light in line.

and here's the result...

http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu2/ridwanlay/ats12-jan2010.jpg

here's the link
http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu2/ ... an2010.jpg (http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu2/ridwanlay/ats12-jan2010.jpg)

how is it..?

SantaMonica

01-12-2011, 12:00 PM

Very good.

dota

01-20-2011, 06:25 AM

2nd week after...
http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu2/ridwanlay/IMG00768-20110119-1753.jpg

http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu2/ ... 9-1753.jpg (http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu2/ridwanlay/IMG00768-20110119-1753.jpg)
There is not much different with the 1rst week..still couldnt get that hairy algae :(

this is after cleaning.. ( not so clear..)
http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu2/ridwanlay/IMG00769-20110119-1759.jpg

http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu2/ ... 9-1759.jpg (http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu2/ridwanlay/IMG00769-20110119-1759.jpg)

SantaMonica

01-20-2011, 09:03 AM

Well it looks a bit green, so nutrients should be low.

Hair requires higher flow.

dota

01-20-2011, 07:05 PM

Well it looks a bit green, so nutrients should be low.

Hair requires higher flow.

yup. since i cut the screen shorter n also re-arranged the light. the screen abit greener, but.... since then my tank getting lots of cyano (red algae) so much, all over my LR.. :( :(

lower nurtrient mean lower po4 right..?

SantaMonica

01-20-2011, 08:54 PM

Yes.

Cyano will be the last to go.

dota

02-01-2011, 07:12 PM

hhmmmppphh... unluckyly, my... maybe only MY screen that cannot get a thick green hair algae.. everyweek always stay the same.. im using 3600 LPH.. if its not strong enough, maybe i should change to 5000 LPH.. which is waste lots of electricity..
my nitrate actually drop, from about 50mg to 40 mg/l, but dat after i changed 80 Ltr of NSW. my MT 'bout 500Ltr.

i dunno, the decrease of no3 becoz of the water change... or maybe the ATS..

but i think its becoz the water change.. ( sori no hard feeling..)

SantaMonica

02-02-2011, 08:37 AM

When N get to about 20 or 10, growth will start getting green.

dota

02-03-2011, 09:30 AM

When N get to about 20 or 10, growth will start getting green.

yup ! dats right.
but the thing is, the N wont come down to 20 or 10... i'll be happy if my N can go down to 20.
i dont see my ATS reducing the N (maybe a little), but dunno why since im using ATS, my fish stop dying...
be4 my fish always die in bout 2 months. but now i can have an Angel fish..

honestly, is there is anything to do with my ATS? , so my fish stay alive..?

SantaMonica

02-03-2011, 09:46 AM

Not sure... maybe just lower nitrate, which is better for fish.

Now you need to make your scrubber stronger so it can get nitrate to zero.

dota

02-06-2011, 10:08 AM

Not sure... maybe just lower nitrate, which is better for fish.

Now you need to make your scrubber stronger so it can get nitrate to zero.

ok then, i might need to but a new light

dota

02-08-2011, 07:02 AM

i think my ATS worked well. now its getting greener. i leave it for 2 weeks, n its getting thicker. n my N now about 25mg/l. it was bout 50 mg/l
but i also often do water change though.

Anyway, why only on the bottom of the ATS box its growing green hair..? well, i think it should grow on the screen too, but i cant tell.

and also, i think i got Lots of pods in my sump :D :D :D copepods looks like a tiny ants right.?? dark brown color? n moving around n around..?

SantaMonica

02-08-2011, 08:39 AM

Pods, yes. Green, need pics.

dota

02-08-2011, 09:15 AM

ok. i will post a pic tomorrow.
is copepods there is any good for fishes?

SantaMonica

02-08-2011, 09:30 AM

Fish love copepods

dota

02-09-2011, 11:04 AM

http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu2/ridwanlay/IMG00820-20110209-0817.jpg

here is the bottom of the box, n dat is GHA , right..?
, n it is also grwing on my screen. so, now i hv a bit of GHA, how should i clean?

should i clean it off like be4?
or just 1 side at the time..?
or clean both side but leave bit algae on?

SantaMonica

02-09-2011, 01:06 PM

It is all hair algae.

Clean all at once, leave a little on.

dota

02-09-2011, 08:07 PM

ok. i just wondering what happen if i clean it once every two weeks? the nitrate will be back to the tank?

SantaMonica

02-09-2011, 11:03 PM

Possibly.

dota

02-28-2011, 03:27 AM

just updating..

now its like this every week.. cant get greener, well my light its been over 3 mnths...is it the reason..?
but it looks better right..? ( this is 1 week growth)
http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu2/ridwanlay/ats27feb2011.jpg

SantaMonica

02-28-2011, 05:06 AM

Take a lot of pics of the whole box and screen before and after cleaning.

What types of bulbs. How many hours on and off.

Pics of the tank.

N and P tests.

dota

02-28-2011, 06:22 AM

Take a lot of pics of the whole box and screen before and after cleaning.

What types of bulbs. How many hours on and off.

Pics of the tank.

N and P tests.

4 x 14w T5.
before its was on as u suggest it, since the growth not so thick in 1 week. n i also think the light already over 3 months, so mabye the power is not as good the new, so now start from last week 20 hours on

i took it about 2 weeks ago.. (150 x 60 x60Cm)
http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu2/ridwanlay/IMG_0404.jpg
http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu2/ridwanlay/IMG_0418.jpg

N = +-25mg/L
P = dont hv the tester...(FOWLR)

Total i hv 20 fishes

SantaMonica

02-28-2011, 02:50 PM

Those bulbs are just not producing enough light, for a tank with 20 fish. Do the bulbs have reflectors?

Yes replace the bulbs with new ones.

dota

03-06-2011, 09:48 AM

Those bulbs are just not producing enough light, for a tank with 20 fish. Do the bulbs have reflectors?

Yes replace the bulbs with new ones.

Yes..! i hv reflector for each bulb, and its reflect very well..

u mean, its oke replace with the new 14W again..?, or the T5HO... ?cause i cannt afford to buy the T5HO for every 3 mnths... :cry:

At the moment, ive been using this bulb for 6 months.. :oops:

SantaMonica

03-06-2011, 11:04 AM

Yes, T5HO every 3 months. They are low cost.

dota

03-08-2011, 08:50 AM

ok. i'll try to buy.

1. there are lots of GHA on the bottom of the box of my ATS, should i clean it or just let it be (just clean the screen) ?

second things, i would to dose a " MICROBACTER7 - brightwell aquatic brand " / " PRODIBIO BIO DIGEST "
i dont know if u familiar with those stuff ( i hope u do ;) )

is there is any BAD side Effect for the ATS...? (if i dose those stuff to my tank)

Once again, Thank you for ur Helpful advise

SantaMonica

03-08-2011, 09:51 AM

dota

03-10-2011, 07:08 AM

Yes clean the bottom of the box as best you can, in order to get the highest filtering.

Don't add any bacteria or anything else until you get your filtering fixed. Besides, your scrubber makes lots of DOC which feeds lots of bacteria (just like the ocean)... you don't need any more.

damn... i just bought the BIO DIGEST . n i just added it :?

but u said, if there are lot of GHA at the bottom it does 3D filtering...

SantaMonica

03-10-2011, 11:46 AM

but u said, if there are lot of GHA at the bottom it does 3D filtering

Only if you remove the GHA each week.

dota

04-25-2011, 11:50 PM

Hi santa how r ya?
yesterday i just checked my NO3 is almost 0. by the way, does the GHA also eat the phospate...?

coz im thinking of buying some coral, but first thing first i want to get rid of the po4

SantaMonica

04-26-2011, 01:21 PM

Yes it does.

dota

05-01-2011, 09:45 AM

I just wondering, since my ATS working.. n lots pods in the box. This things start growing on my pump

What is that..?
http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu2/ridwanlay/IMG00020-20110419-1800.jpg

dota

05-01-2011, 09:52 AM

In the past 2 weeks, so many RED ALGAE growing all over my LR... what happen..? is it because too high po4 ..?

(look at the left side liverock, all covered by the red algae.. )
http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu2/ridwanlay/2011-04-24.jpg
sorry, the pic not so clear...

do u know what kind of algae that i mean? is it red algae..? (is a bit hairy, n i cant get it off with a tooth brush)
if it is... how do u get rid of it..

Thank You Santa

SantaMonica

05-01-2011, 12:44 PM

The growths on the pump are normal, but I don't know their name. You'll need to run the pump in vinegar for an hour to clean it... do this every 6 months.

The purple stuff sounds like part of some Periphyton... which is natural and occurs in natural systems in the lower areas where the light is not too strong.... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Periphyton . Mine is like a dark purple coralline, and does not scrub off.

dota

05-02-2011, 01:14 AM

its not purple at all. its red n hairy n ugly

i will take a closer photo.

dota

11-21-2011, 09:20 PM

hi, just want to update my scrubber.

last week i changed my bulb, actually i just change the BALLAST NOT the BULB. im still using 14W bulb with 24W Ballast.
it is much brighter than be4.
n my pump was a bit too big for my screen, so i changed it to a smaller pump.

and the result, great!
i got more algae

heres the pic
still dark growth..maybe bcoz i hvnt change the bulb for more than 6 months.. ( i will change it next week)
http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu2/ridwanlay/IMG00527-20111120-1145.jpg

7 days harvest ( next time i will measure the weight)
if i got that much of (dark growth) algae in 7 days, should i leave it to grow for 7 days.. or clean in every 3 days to get greener ?

http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu2/ridwanlay/IMG00529-20111120-1154.jpg

SantaMonica

11-22-2011, 09:01 AM

Do at least 7 days.

dota

12-01-2011, 11:24 PM

hey santa, why does my algae is not hairy... its kindly look like jelly algae as the pic above.. any idea?

Screen : 20" x 6.1" (light on both side) 84 W eachside
i use 4 bulb of 14w, BUT i changed the ballast with the 21w (it much brighter)
18 on - 6 off
PH: 2000 LPH
My tank is bout 130G

kerry

12-02-2011, 07:31 AM

I have very close to the same stuff but, its a little more brown and wonder the same thing???

SantaMonica

12-02-2011, 10:45 AM

Screen is too big for the number of watts. You want at least 1 watt for every 1 square inch (6.25 square cm).

You could try making the screen smaller.

dota

12-08-2011, 07:26 AM

Screen is too big for the number of watts. You want at least 1 watt for every 1 square inch (6.25 square cm).

You could try making the screen smaller.

i hv 84w (each side). so totatl 168W for screen 20" x 6,1" isnt it more than 1 watt for every 1 square inch..?

SantaMonica

12-08-2011, 12:28 PM

If it's 80 watts each side, it's good.

dota

12-09-2011, 09:19 AM

yup u're right. actually, i dont if its really 80W

because i only changed the ballast from 14w to 28W, but the bulb still 14W.

do u think it will produce 28W? any idea..?

Doompie

12-09-2011, 09:24 AM

Nope, real bulb watts count..

dota

12-10-2011, 09:56 AM

.. dont know much bout light.
but since i changed, its much much brighter n also grow thicker algae..

the store person that i bought said, it follow the ballast capacity

:roll: :roll: :roll:

dota

01-02-2012, 12:05 AM

Hi santa,
now my water quality is awesome.

do u know why my green hair algae only grow on the bottom of the box, not on the screen..?

SantaMonica

01-02-2012, 05:09 AM

If you are cleaning the box too, it sounds like the light is too strong.

dota

01-04-2012, 09:50 AM

usually i clean the box every 7 days too, but last week i didnt clean the box (only the screen)..

so it grew lots of GHA, BUT on the otherside, my screen growth not very thick (like the other week)

do u think bcoz there's lot of GHA were growing on the bottom of the box, so the growth on the screen become less..?