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Thread: SURF2 - My Progress

  1. #1

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    SURF2 - My Progress

    Posting this so as to get some help getting this going. My SURF2 was installed on 2 March and has been running for a full month now. The box is still pretty white but I am starting to see a little growth. From what I've read in other posts it does take some time for this unit to get going. My tank runs with no skimmer and only a small bag of carbon. Nitrates have risen considerably and phosphates haven't been tested for in a while. I've added some iron in the form of Kent's similar to what I used in a previously installed refugium (not running one now). I have some cyano in my main display but no significant hair algae growth there.

    I've thought about adding some white or clear plastic canvas to shield the lights in an effort to spur growth (right now on 18hr cycle). I tried cloth but found the lid popped off and thus removed it. I do run the whisper 300 with this unit as I found the fusion pump way too noisy for my liking. Do you think I should go with the white or clear canvas if I decide to go this route?

    Here's my progress so far....In the last picture you will see some yellow/green growth. I did notice some trace darker green algae in the outlet holes (hard to see in last photo).

    Day 1 (3 Mar)
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    10 Mar
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    17 Mar
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    24 Mar
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    31 Mar
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    5 Apr
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  2. #2
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    If darker green is in the holes, then yes the light needs shading. Not sure why just putting a cloth would pop off, but do put something over it until the white surfaces are covered; after that the light reflections will be gone and you can go full power.

  3. #3

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    I couldn't find cloth thin enough that wouldn't plug the SURF2 at the light/foam interface....it needs to vent there. If it doesn't vent then the top is pushed off. Today, I put white sewing canvas and two layers of 300 mesh nylon (from a filter sock). I'll let you know if I see any changes to growth based upon this change.

    With white sewing canvas
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    With sewing canvas and 2 layers of nylon mesh
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  4. #4
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    I don't thing you can plug up the lid. Just try a cloth.

  5. #5

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    Any tips to on reducing the "sputtering" this thing puts out? Seems to cause a lot of salt spray/creep within my sump. Thanks!

  6. #6
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    If you mean bubbles coming up the sides, that is caused by strong water flow underneath it. Just reduce the water flow under it and it will stop.

  7. #7

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    Ok...used an old white pillowcase. Was thin enough to allow the lid to stay in place and reduce the lighting intensity. Also, keeps the sputtering down from the Whisper 300 I'm using (I have no way to reduce the flow). Will give it a few days and see what happens.

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  8. #8
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    Not reduce the air flow; reduce the water flow from powerheads beneath it... they blow the bubbles sideways.

    The SURF2 does not have the air-bubble rings that the SURF4 has; these rings block the sideways water flow from powerheads.

  9. #9

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    7 days covered, 45 days total. Starting to notice some changes.

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  10. #10

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    2 weeks covered. Growth has been very slow. Appears a bit more brown in color. Let it go covered for another week or should I give it some light now?

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