First ATS - Help with sizing and config

[Mazza]

Hi folks,

Greetings from Brazil.

I´m about to build my first ATS. Today I run my saltwater tank with biopellet, GFO and Skimmer. I´m very sure that I will retire all of then after start using ATS

Above the info that I collect to start develop. Can you help me with the size and the missing info?


*******
Tank size:
185 liters (display:125 liters, sump 60 liters) - (Medium-High bioload - mostly SPS)


Type: Waterfall
Screen Size: 12cm x 12cm

Illumination: LED
Leds position: BOTH sides
Number of LEDs: ???
Led Color: ???
LEd Power: ???

Flow: 720 lph

*******

Any toughts about it?

Thanks !!!

[SantaMonica]

Welcome from Brazil.

The scrubber size is probably too small.

But first question is: Do the rocks have nuisance algae, or do they come from a problem aquarium?

[Mazza]

Hi Santa...

I have small amount of rocks and I don´t have a great algae outbreak. The main issue that I have right now is that all corals are "pale" - not in a beautiful color. I believe that is happening due GFO+biopellet combination.

So I´d like to start a more natural filtration system before all SPS gone. Looks to me that ATS is more safe than this combo.

[]´s

[SantaMonica]

Ok then the next question is how much you feed each day.

[Mazza]

Thanks for the help, SantaMonica....

I found the "new" guideline yesterday. Looks that I´m using just one cube a day - sometimes less some times more.

Thanks

[SantaMonica]

Ok, waterfalls are hard to build in a small size, so make is 15 cm wide, and tall enough for the bottom of the screen to go into the water below.

Put the LEDs just at the top part; they do not need to go all the way down the screen into the water.

That size screen would need at least 36 total real CFL watts, or 18 LED watts. More if the phosphate in the water is above 0.2 ppm

I would start with 2 LEDs wide (7 cm apart) by 6 LEDs tall (6 cm apart). This will be 24 total LED watts.

Start the screen with only one side of LEDs, until the screen is covered in growth. Then turn on the other side of LEDs.

Be sure to rough up the screen so that it is prickly like a cactus.

[Mazza]

Thanks, SM

I Just realized that we have few offers of screens at Brazilian market (well, at least ones easy to buy). There are only 2 dimensions available: 35x25cm and 15x15cm. And the same applies to heatsinks.

So what you think about build a large one and start "small"? Let´s say:



I can start using just one side or with less LEDS.

Thanks

[SantaMonica]

Just cut the large screen down to the size I said. A wide screen needs to much flow. A narrow screen is much easier. And your sump does not have much room for a waterfall.

Use a 15 x 15 heat sink on each side. Spread the LEDs out on it.

You want the screen to go into the water below.

[Mazza]

Just like this ?



If so how many 3 watts leds per heatsink ?

[SantaMonica]

Do 3 rows of 2 LEDs on each heatsink:

X X
X X
X X