|
03/19/2017, 01:14 PM | #1 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 42
|
Cure Algae Scrubber on Vacation?
I've had trouble with nitrates for quite a long time so I put in an algae scrubber a couple weeks ago. I know it has a curing period but it has been slow going, it just turned green a few days ago. Thing is, in a week I have to leave for a few days to a week and I'm concerned that leaving the scrubber at this point could harm my tank? Currently the screen is green, but no strands or anything, with a few spots of dark brown (diatoms maybe?). My LFS said to leave the lights on 24 hrs while I was gone to prevent pH fluctuation. Is this right?
|
03/19/2017, 05:49 PM | #2 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Miller Place, NY
Posts: 7,206
|
To be honest -- anything not finished before vacations should be postponed --
No check on what's happening can be done and you know Murphy's Law. A few days I might chance -- but not a week. JMHO
__________________
250 gallon mixed reef, 2 Reefbreeder's Photon V 2, Deepwater BLDC 12, DAS EX-3 Skimmer, MTC mini cal, 2-3/4" Sea Swirls, Aquacontroller & 6 Tunze pumps. |
03/19/2017, 08:23 PM | #3 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Jackson Hole Wy
Posts: 3,430
|
how about post a pic so we can see.
I am in the option to just leave it be let nature take it course. yes ATS do need a break in period. I am sure you rough up the screen yes? what lights are you using? how long? on my upflow after the 1st cleaning I just let it be. check in around the 10 day mark i have nice turf growing. that said I do see vinnys point about Murphy's law. |
03/20/2017, 05:02 PM | #4 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 42
|
Unfortunately, I have never been able to get the photos to work on this sight . Right now its mostly green in color but no mossy or slimy texture. Its started to get really dark brown spots. Is this cause for concern? Should I scrub them off? Also it seems to be taking quite a long time to mature but I never really had hair algae in the tank.
I sanded my screen with some sandpaper I had around but it was pretty fine git. By the time I realized that I might need some more aggressive scratching it had already been going for a couple days. Given that many people have reported having faster breakin periods after replacing an ats I decided to let it finish then try and scratch it up a bit more later. I did sand the hell out of it but it seemed to only take the shine off the plastic. I have a 23W daylight bulb that I run for 14hrs a day. If this is a bad idea, what do I do? Clean it off and start over in a week? |
03/21/2017, 06:54 AM | #5 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 20,050
|
What? I don't get it.. The day before you leave just clean it off and put it right back into service..
Its not going to magically grow like a beanstalk and just engulf your tank or something in a few days to a week.. Just leave it running and enjoy your vacation.. Its totally fine..
__________________
Who me? |
03/21/2017, 06:59 AM | #6 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Fairfield, CT
Posts: 1,516
|
If you're that concerned about it going rogue with growth while you're gone, you could always cut back on the ATS's lighting cycle or intensity (if dimmable) to slow down any growth concerns you may have. I wouldn't take it offline though as it does take time for an ATS to mature.
__________________
- Leon (aka - Water Dog) Deep Blue 57 Edge ATI Acro Garden Build Thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?p=25573384#post25573384 Current Tank Info: DeepBlue 57 Edge |
03/31/2017, 12:15 PM | #7 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: CTX
Posts: 2,904
|
You will be fine, just let it do it's thing. At this stage of maturation of the screen, it will take a while to grow too much to do any harm.
This is what I get weekly, but my ATS is 3 years old. If you were at this stage, then yes, you would need to take action, such as lowering the light interval from 24 hours to 12, or something like that.
__________________
Beware of recommendations by those who don't actually use their recommendation!! The search function actually works quite well!! Tanks:Planet Aquarium 150g LPS, Planet Aquarium 90g Softie |
04/01/2017, 09:43 PM | #8 |
Registered Member
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Grosse Pointe, MI
Posts: 422
|
If no leaks, let it go
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
04/21/2017, 06:42 PM | #9 | |
Registered Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 77
|
Quote:
|
|
Tags |
algae scrubber, ats |
|
|