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04/09/2019, 07:52 AM | #1 |
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Algae reactor effectiveness
I’ve been battling a bit of nuisance algae (hair and cyano) for a few months now and although it is slowly getting better with aggressive use of GFO and a large clean up crew, I am still a bit confused as to the source of the nutrients.
I am running a 30 gallon system with a large sump, detector skimmer, GFO reactor and a carbon reactor. The system has been running for almost a year now. I feed minimally, do 25% water changes weekly, Hanna tests show 0 phosphate and 0 nitrate (due to the presence of the algae, I’m guessing). All I can think of is that this phosphate is leaching from the rock I have. During all my research about causes and cures of this algae I stumbled across an article about algae reactors. I’d love to have a long term filtration system that is more stable than using GFO and was wondering if anyone has any reports about the long term effectiveness of using an algae reactor. I was looking at buying a Pax Bellum N18 which is a big outlay but will be cheaper than running GFO in the long term, I just would like to hear opinions from people that have run an algae reactor before I drop $900 on one. As a side thought I’d love to get a mandarin and was wondering how effective the reactors were at sustaining a copepod population. I’d appreciate any input 😀
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Current tank - 220 gallon mixed reef..Many thanks to Waterbox, Ecotech Marine, Neptune Systems, Pax Bellum, Nyos, Eheim and Hailea for creating my system..and making me poor!! Current Tank Info: 220 Gallon mixed reef |
04/09/2019, 08:51 PM | #2 |
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Go with an algae turf scrubber, not reactor, and never look back. Here is my mixed SPS/LPS 150g. All I run is an ATS and a good Protien Skimmer. I don't dose, have fancy equipment, just good lighting, and good removal of excess nutrients, lots of live rock. I grow hair algae where I want to, to remove excess nutrients. I recently had to start removing corals to make room for others to grow.
I purchased my ATS from Turbo's Aquatics, which is run by a fellow RC member, Floyd R Turbo. It is the best and worth every penny.
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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 Last edited by wildman926; 05/21/2020 at 07:22 PM. |
04/10/2019, 07:06 PM | #3 | |
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04/10/2019, 08:50 PM | #4 |
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The sump is a 30g, very small for a 150g. I run the same one on a 90g.
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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 |
04/11/2019, 05:46 AM | #5 |
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I too have had great success with various types of scrubbers on several tanks, 13.5G to 80G. All DIY and all maintained low levels of NO3 and PO4. The beauty of scrubbers is that thy will automatically react to increased levels of pollutants without additional additions/changes.
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Jimbo 13.5G EVO |
04/11/2019, 06:19 AM | #6 |
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Hey wildman what model ats do you have
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04/11/2019, 07:27 AM | #7 | ||
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Actually, I am wrong. They are 24g, that are repurposed wet/dry sumps. Quote:
I have the L2 Rev3 from Turbos Aquatics. I have had it on approximately 5-7 years. It is the best made IMHO.
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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 |
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04/11/2019, 11:18 AM | #8 |
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I have a 180 gallon with lifreef LF1-300S sump with lifreef svs24 skimmer and turbo aquatics l2 r4 scrubber ...would in your opinion be enough for a slightly heavy stocked spa tank
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04/11/2019, 12:24 PM | #9 |
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i think an L4 would be more appropriate. you would be harvesting constantly with an L2 on a tank that size.
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I told you not to be stupid you moron!(Stern) Current Tank Info: 60 gal cube/20g tideline sump-mixed reef, Aquamaxx c-tech Ca Rx, Akula 160 skimmer, paxbellum N18, mitras LX7 lighting with T-5s, apex controller |
04/11/2019, 03:09 PM | #10 | ||
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Quote:
Quote:
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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 |
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04/11/2019, 06:23 PM | #11 |
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to answer your question, yes an Arid can host pods. It’s not as efficient as using a fuge, neutrons it works.
I’ve run both an Arid and an ATS, and I will say, my preference was the arid. I had better performance overall, was able to harvest chaeto like crazy, and my nutrient levels came under control very quickly. My ATS did work, don’t get me wrong, but it didn’t live up to the hype or performance. Regardless, you’ll find success using either option.
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Tank: Reefer XL 525 Reef Tank Equipment: 2x Radion XR15 Pro, Radion XR30 Pro, Vectra M1 Return, 2x MP40 Powerhead |
04/12/2019, 08:57 AM | #12 |
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What is the best scrubber you can buy
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04/12/2019, 12:37 PM | #13 |
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Turbo’s Aquatics... the model (L2, L4, L8 or L16) will depend upon the size of your tank and your bioload.
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- 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 |
04/12/2019, 05:43 PM | #14 | |
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I have 2 Cheato reactors for sale if interested. All you need is a pump.
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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 Last edited by wildman926; 05/21/2020 at 07:22 PM. |
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04/13/2019, 07:16 PM | #15 |
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Thanks everyone for your replies. Growing algae for nutrient export is new to me but I'm looking forward to seeing how it works out.
I bought and installed an Pax Bellum ARID N18 yesterday, what an awesome piece of kit! The system I was running before looked like this: 20190413_054040821_iOS by kenpau01, on Flickr I was running a Phosban reactor, carbon dosing Aquaforest products, running zeolite stones and manually removing the hair algae during weekly water changes. However I couldn't get the system looking any cleaner than this: 20190413_055343833_iOS by kenpau01, on Flickr 20190413_055355325_iOS by kenpau01, on Flickr 20190413_055414618_iOS by kenpau01, on Flickr So, carbon dosing is gone, GFO is gone, zeolite is gone and this has taken it's place: 20190413_072940820_iOS by kenpau01, on Flickr 20190413_073634194_iOS by kenpau01, on Flickr I'm looking forward to algae growth, but hopefully in the reactor rather than the display!
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Current tank - 220 gallon mixed reef..Many thanks to Waterbox, Ecotech Marine, Neptune Systems, Pax Bellum, Nyos, Eheim and Hailea for creating my system..and making me poor!! Current Tank Info: 220 Gallon mixed reef |
04/14/2019, 06:21 AM | #16 |
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Keep us posted!
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Just getting back in, but trying to do it right! Current Tank Info: 40 gallon tank. SPS, LPS, few softies |
04/14/2019, 01:35 PM | #17 |
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While Coral Zoox like wavelenght in the Blue (435nm) and in the Red (657nm)...........Cyano and Algae like wavelenght in the yellow and green spectrum...........
Too much White in the Illumination can cause bloom.......cuz White have much yellow and green in the spectrum..... Adequate PAR values and PAR distribution can help......you give the Corals the exact amount of light they require...........the excess can cause Algae and Cyano bloom...... try to measure the PAR.......... |
04/17/2019, 02:39 PM | #18 |
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I have an L2 and love it. Clean it twice a month and it rocks. I need to start feeding more actually.
Corey |
04/17/2019, 02:54 PM | #19 | |
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Quote:
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- 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 |
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04/17/2019, 03:29 PM | #20 |
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Its on a 240 gallon cube. But it will only deplete what's in the tank which is based on the amount you feed. The size of the screen dictates how much you feed daily. I could feed more honestly.
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