DIY Led ATS

[mocika]

This is my first DYS ATS. I red a lot for ATS and i decide to build my own.
- screen dimension: 7.7 inch X 8.7 inch.
- flow is 317 g/h
- light is LED 22x2 red and 3x2 blue

This is my video on the 2nd day:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEZiJiqRHtk
and this is sixth day:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4z-hYCp9rO0
AS you can see algae in the middle is not present. Is that because of the strong lighting or because light is too near to the screen? I ran the light for 12 hours. Now i adjust it for just 7 hours per day.

Tnx in advance.

[SantaMonica]

Welcome,

Yes too much light, and too little nutrients. Increase flow, add iron. Or, back the light away, or reduce hours.

[mocika]

TNX SantaMonica,

First i will try to reduce hours and see what happening. Next step will be back the light away.

What is the best time to start cleaning the screen? And after first cleaning should i clean every 7 days or it will depend of the algae grow?

[Floyd R Turbo]

I would also consider putting a diffuser in front of the light.

What are the spec on that fixture? Link?

[Floyd R Turbo]

Just checked the vid. definitely photosaturation. Light is way too intense in the middle. Need to knock down the intensity significantly. Reducing the photoperiod will likely not help in this instance as light is just too intense.

[mocika]

http://dx.com/p/50w-25-led-red-blue-...-90-240v-94014
This is the item that i use for light.
TNX

[Floyd R Turbo]

Put 1cm squares (or circles, but squares are easier) of blue painters tape over the blue LEDs. They are clustered in the middle, rather than spread out. This is a problem because blues have several times the intensity of reds at the same current and will cause photosaturation.

Start with a double-layer of the blue tape positioned directly over each blue. This will eliminate the intensity right in the middle, but still allow a blue component to be present. If you still have issues after a few weeks, add a layer of black electrical tape.

I recommend blue tape first because the black tape adhesive can goo up the acrylic lens/shield.

[mocika]

TNX a lot Turbo,

BTW can you tell me when to star with cleaning my algae screen and should i do every 7 days or it depends of algae grow?

[Floyd R Turbo]

I would say it depends on a lot of factors. I have screens that I let grow for 14-16 days and they are thick, long, and bright green and the base is still strongly attached. I have others that grow thin and dense and if I let them go longer than 10 days the base dies and the screen is bare when I clean it. So it's really hard to give a one-size-fits-all guideline. 7-10 days is a good general recommendation, and let it grow longer as long as the base isn't dying.

[mocika]

TNX again.
Should i dose pure iron (what product is the best) or mix of some elements like
Tropic Marin® PRO-CORAL K+ ELEMENTS
Tropic Marin® PRO-CORAL K+ ELEMENTS
or some other mixed coral elements. I have SPS tank wtih less LPS.