My new Santa Monica RAIN2 Algae Scrubber

[reeftang]

DAY 16: So since im only running one light i have noticed that the other side where the light is not, filled up alot more. Besides for that nitrate and phosphate still the same. Im wondering if i should switch which side the light is running so that way the other side should fill in???

[SantaMonica]

Just let it fill in. The first coating of growth of any screen takes the most time, from 2 weeks to a month, depending on chemistry. After all the holes in the screen are filled in, turn on the second light.

Nitrate and phosphate (N and P) are not going to be affected until growth is thick enough to harvest.

What is your Alk?

[reeftang]

Just let it fill in. The first coating of growth of any screen takes the most time, from 2 weeks to a month, depending on chemistry. After all the holes in the screen are filled in, turn on the second light.

Nitrate and phosphate (N and P) are not going to be affected until growth is thick enough to harvest.

What is your Alk?

My alk is at 8.5.

[reeftang]

also i have these small balls of algae growing the side that the light is on, should i maybe scrape it on to the bald areas to fill it in???

[SantaMonica]

No just let it fill in until most of the holes are filled, probably another few days, then plug in the second light. The roots are still attaching to the screen for the first time.

[reeftang]

No just let it fill in until most of the holes are filled, probably another few days, then plug in the second light. The roots are still attaching to the screen for the first time.

So came home today the screen was pretty much covered on one side the other side had some spots so i scraped the some algae from the other spots and filled in the uncovered spots and turned on both lights now in the hopes to get more growth, my nutrients are still pretty high.

[reeftang]

So at this point its already beed 3 weeks my nutrient levels are up there and its not growing properly, not sure whats going on or whats taking so long???

[reeftang]

Finally at the 4 week mark starting to see some growth, but no decrease in p04 or n03 or the GHA in the display.

Here are some pics.

[SantaMonica]

Still too bright for 2 lights. I'd do one light.

[reeftang]

Still too bright for 2 lights. I'd do one light.

I just looked at the screen again and its filling in the bald spot nicely, i haveto say now in week 4 that it started growing the green stuff every day makes a huge difference it even looks different from the morning.

Honestly im a little afraid to turn off one light at this point because some algae might die on that side, what do you think?