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Well, lost a total of 4 fish... 2 clowns, flasher wrasse and a yellow eye kole tang. The clowns really surprised me, they've been bullet proof for like 3 years. So it goes...

So, been doing a lot...

No other changes.... Just the bulbs in the ATS. No changes for some time.
Since the change, I've pulled the powerhead and cleaned it to make sure it's working and it's working fine. Also pulled the...

I have an SM100 that's been working properly for a long while now on my current tank (over a year, probably closer to 2). Just changed the bulbs about 2-3 weeks ago (as I do every 3 months) and I'm...

I think it's very insightful.

p.s. Ace25 built the LED array for my display already. He does good work.... If he ever offers to help you with something, TAKE HIM UP ON IT. :)

Hey Jeremy (Ace),
I'm actually living in Westlake Village now. I got a job in the Santa Monica area (ironic saying that on this board, huh?)
I'm still up in Santa Barbara at least once a week,...

Thanks everyone.

Actually ended up going with the Carbon Reactor Pump and the Carbon Return both in the center chamber of the sump with the main return pump. Seemed like the best place to keep...

Let me know if you find a cheap conversion.... I'll do the same!
Until then.... 4 more T5's every 3 months :)

Thanks guys.
I've used media bags in the past and I've had mixed results.
I'm going to give a reactor a try and see how I like it.
I'm also using the Rox .08 carbon and a BRS reactor. I'm going...

Ok, I'm deciding the best configuration for my sump. I currently have it set up but I'm adding a carbon reactor. Would like to get opinions on the best way to arrange it.
I've got 2 pictures below....

Am I missing something or are all of ACE25 's comments gone? I read this thread last night and now I don't see any of his posts. I wanted to go back through today and read everything with a clear...

I think it would be amazing if, come May 1st, none of this stuff was needed. SantaMonica's just messing with us. Next he's going to let us know we need 15 feet of chicken wire and 5 bottles of...

+1 on the Tapatalk. That's the way I access the forum the majority of the time.
Thanks!

Seriously? Very curious to see how an effective scrubber could be built for this cost.... Even a super basic DIY scrubber of the current design costs more than this (reflectors, CFL's, screen...

Lol, agreed. I'm always tempted to chime in but I just don't feel like dealing with the aggressive responses. Thank goodness for people like SM, ACE and others who endure the ridicule of others in...

Maybe I missed it, but what's the eta on rolling out this idea? I'm intrigued to say the least! :)

Ya ace, I think that's the plan. I'll check parameters again on Monday and see where it's at.

Tanks been running for 6 days now. Scrubbers been running for 3 days. Ammonia - 0
Nitrites - 0
Nitrates - 3ppm

Think it's safe to start adding livestock?

Ummm, What? lol

So, I've started up a new 60 gallon cube with a SM100. I've never cycled a tank with an ATS from the very beginning so I'm not sure what to expect. The only filtration at this point is the ATS. I...

Got my SM100 in the mail. Thanks again Bryan... All of the bulbs made it in one piece as well.
In case anyone else is thinking about buying from him, he's reliable... :)

Wow, that's a crazy deal... Great price for the tank and for the sm100. Someone should really jump on this...
If you don't have luck here, I'm sure you could sell quickly on RC.

Hey Jeremy (ace)... Do you have any other PAR readings to compare this to? For example... I'd be interested in what a 42 watt spiral CFL bulb is putting out (also a 23 watt).
Curious how the...

I have thought about going topless ;) and then just adding a clip on fan or something and I may actually go that way.
I was just thinking that it would be nice to have it as a self contained unit...

Glad your scrubber isn't adding any heat, that's pretty good considering how many lights you're using (probably because they're so low voltage).
I don't think my scrubber is causing my heat, I have...

Perfect, thanks.... Now I need to start researching what fans to get (since I know nothing about these things) :)

Here's my basic idea, what do you guys think?

http://i994.photobucket.com/albums/af70/johnarky/100-example1.jpg

Thanks for the responses guys.

I currently have an "open" scrubber that hangs above my sump and it works just fine. The problem is just the mess, salt creep, clutter, clip on lights rusting, wires...

Alright, so I have a machninist friend that works at a place with acrylic. I showed him the design of an SM100 and he said he could build me one easily enough. The only stipulation is that they only...

Good stuff. Hey SM, what size pipe are you using in those? It looks like maybe 3/4" or 1"?

Ok, so I want to make a new pipe that my ATS will sit in. The one I have now, the slot is a little too wide and kind of uneven (more flow from certain areas, less flow from others).

Anyone have...

Well, I picked up an amazing feather star from my LFS yesterday. An awesome red color with yellow markings. I slowly acclimated him over the period of 2 1/2 hours and he was doing fine for about 3 or...

Hahaha.... OH is that all? :lol:

Thanks for the support!
The LFS about 5 minutes from me has been getting these on a semi-regular basis. So far, they've been having good luck with them. They are somewhat hit and miss (what isn't?)...

Anyone have any advice or experience with Feather Stars and ATS's?
It seems like a natural fit. They're suppose to like a lot of food in the water of all sorts of shapes and sizes. I don't know that...

2700k. It says on the box. Must have gotten cut off in the pic.

For any of you out there setting up an Algae Turf Scrubber (or replacing old bulbs). Costco has 42 watt CFL bulbs on sale. There's a SCE discount on them and they come out to $.49 for 3 bulbs
...

So, I've been using the 2 screens sandwiched together for my ATS and everything has been working great for the last 4 months or so. But it's been a constant battle trying to get the flow even, and to...

Good news, thanks SM. They seem to find pods every 5 seconds or so. I'll just keep an eye on them as things progress.
Does it do any good to "shake" the screen off in the tank before cleaning it...

My question is about the pod population that an ATS supports. I recently acquired a leopard wrasse and 2 mandarins (psychedelics, a red one and a green one). The wrasse and the mandarins pick at the...

Interesting. So the bigger the reflector the better? I know I've seen a few different reflectors with different diameters.
I imagine "bigger is better" only up to a certain extent though? e.g. if...

Thanks for the reply SM.
Why exactly is that? It seems like they would accomplish the same thing. The reason I like the floodlight is because it protects the bulb and the reflector from all the salt...

I've been using these GE outdoor CFL floodlights for a little while now and I like them.
They're 26 watts and have their own reflector built in. Just curious what you guys thought about them.
I...

Perfect. Thanks SM. I'll try bypassing the screen and see if that's the issue with the micro-bubbles.
I'll also build a "light block" for the top of the screen... Seems easy enough.

Here's the basic info on my scrubber before my questions.
- 90gal tank
- Diy scrubber fed by the overflow in to the sump
- Double Layer Screen (sandwiched together)
- 13.5" long and 11" tall
-...

This may be a silly question but.... How do you power computer fans WITHOUT a computer?
Is there some sort of power adapter or supply you use?

I can't seem to find any pics of an ATS using a fan. I'm sure they exist but I guess I just couldn't find it.
If anyone out there has any pics of an ATS using a fan, I'd really like to see it....

How do you integrate a fan into an ATS in order to cool the water?
Are there any pictures of this? Or any advice on how to integrate this?
Also, how effective is this in bringing down temps?
Is...

Here's some specs on my tank:

90gal tank w/ about 20 gal in the sump
4 Bulb T5 Fixture with ATI bulbs
2 Koralia 1050 gph power heads in tank
Return pump is rated 1100gph, probably putting out...

Thanks SM.
I guess my main worry was if decaying food would produce any sort of pathogens or lead to any sort of bacterial problems in horses. Thanks for answering.
There doesn't really seem to be...