People with spare $$$ install everything, learn what doesn't work then remove it... people like me, run nothing but a pump heater/lights, discover what I actually need with patience. of course if you don't have patience, you better save up :-) I love all the information you have in your vids!
Been looking at getting an ATS for a while now. This video convinced me to jump on board. I did get the rain2 because of the design and the support structure for a small section I have in my sub. Thanks for the video; it pushed me over the edge. Will let you know how it works out! Thanks! 🐠
Great content, I was wondering if you would have an Australian link to either the white rectangle grow light fixtures or an appropriate light for a diy acrylic ATS Best regards Duzzy 🇦🇺
Its entirely dependant on how quick the algae grows, in my case that means I usually need to clear it every 10 days. Some people may be able to go much longer if their tank has lower nutrients and demand.
Looks like a small tank for that large of scrubber. How big is the tank? excellent gas exchange raises ORP extremely well but it is most important to occur at the top of the tank waterline.
Yea its a small tank, only about 80 gallons, but it is extremely densely packed with coral I feed heavily as a result. Sizing for algae scrubbers is best measured by how much you feed (coral and fish food) as opposed to water volume.
I have a waterfall algae scrubber and it has been in place for 3 years. It grows very little algae and I do not know why.. I run it with a filter sock and protein skimmer. I have added supplements to grow algae. Nothing seems to make it grow and there are plenty of nitrates 40ppm and phosphate s over 1 ppm. Please help! Tired of water changes! 120 gallon with sump. 1 8 inch hippo with live rock. Not much algae in tank but can not get nitrates down. Tank is about 10 years old. Thanks..woo
Whats the brand/model of algae scrubber you have? Given you have high nutrients and have not been able to grow much algae, I would look at the lights that are running on your ATS, they may not be powerful enough. If you do get it to start growing, it will likely grow thick slime that needs to be cleaned more regularly until your nutrient levels come down (the slime is super nutrient dense, just needs to be cleaned off every few days). Also check the flow rate over the screen, needs to be sufficient to cover the whole screen, but not so fast that it sprays everywhere or puts too much pressure on the algae.
@@ReefNerd it is a Clear Water 100 and it pumps 300 gah. This is the flow recommendation according to the manufacturer. The lights are rated for 5 years of life and I have had it for three year’s. I have tried 24. 12 and 18 hours of light a day. I have now unplugged the protein skimmer to see if it makes a difference. When I first got it...it grew more then than now. I have never seen my Nitrates lower than 20 and are usually 40 to 50 ppm..thanks
I purchased direct from Santa Monica Filtration in the US. They ship internationally. www.santa-monica.cc/RAIN2-Pole-Mountable-Waterfall-Algae-Scrubber-ATS-with-Green-Grabber-screen-and-GEM5-lights--2-cubes-a-day-feeding_p_87.html
hi , i just want to know if you change your mind regarding protein skimmer vs algae Scrubber? because i gather all my equipment for my dream tank. and I consider your opinion.
Well I just tested my phophate on Hahanna checker and I got 0.18 and for nitrate i have no clue and I am actually restarting the growth on the santamonica rain 2 algea scruber do to it dieing of do to use of gfo but I can probably be wrong and I have only done one harvest before the algea died
@@ReefNerd Well I just tested my phophate on Hahanna checker and I got 0.18 and for nitrate i have no clue and I am actually restarting the growth on the santamonica rain 2 algea scruber do to it dieing of do to use of gfo but I can probably be wrong and I have only done one harvest before the algea died
@@reefjunkies6197 I would not restart the growth on the rain 2 (I assume you mean letting the screen dry/clean completely) It will set you back and most likely just grown brown slime again. I am not sure the brown growth is related to your use of GFO, I believe its due to your phosphate (and likely nitrate) being too high. At levels that high the brown slime will out-compete the green hair algae. In some case people can lower their nutrients through growing brown slime in the scrubber, the difference is that you need to harvest it every 2-3 days. It may not work for you, or it may take a long time to lower your levels that way. If it were me I would use lanthanum chloride to lower my phosphates to the 0.04-0.05 range, at that point the algae scrubber should work much better, grow algae again, and keep the nutrients low.
I use an Olympus E-PL8 Camera with a pretty standard lens. I use the vivid color setting, its seems to help cut through the blue and do okay with tank lighting. I then do a bit more color correction in iMovie. None of that is perfect, definitely room for improvement! For still shots I sometimes use my iPhone XS which does okay, but then color correct in light-room afterwards.
I am not dosing it specifically, however its included in most trace element programs so if your dosing any trace program your probably also dosing Iron as part of that. With green hair algae I find dosing Iron is not strictly necessary, for some people they find it a requirement especially if growing Chaeto
Very comprehensive review of what an algae reactor/scrubber can do
Thanks for the nice comment, appreciate it!
Excellent presentation.
Great food for thought about the ATS vs skimmer point that you made.
You explained this better than anyone else I've seen. Subbed. I was going to build a reactor but I think I'm going to try this. Thanks.
Thanks for the sub!
Dan that tank looks nuts. great stuff.. Yeah i agree on the skimmer worries.. I run mine half the time as well.
People with spare $$$ install everything, learn what doesn't work then remove it...
people like me, run nothing but a pump heater/lights, discover what I actually need with patience.
of course if you don't have patience, you better save up :-)
I love all the information you have in your vids!
Very informative....I just learned so much today Marcus. Thank you
Glad you liked it, thanks so much!
Very scientific and thorough video - using this for my science class discussions. Keep up the great videos!!
That is awesome!
This video was actually mint! The in depth research and fluidity of your presentation was also amazing👌👌 a video well done sir.
Most excellent!
Been looking at getting an ATS for a while now. This video convinced me to jump on board. I did get the rain2 because of the design and the support structure for a small section I have in my sub. Thanks for the video; it pushed me over the edge. Will let you know how it works out! Thanks! 🐠
Glad I could help!
Good information. Thank u 👍
Nice video and a great overview of different options. I am looking at the rain 2 and this video really helps
Glad it was helpful!
Awesome video sir
Great content, I was wondering if you would have an Australian link to either the white rectangle grow light fixtures or an appropriate light for a diy acrylic ATS
Best regards Duzzy 🇦🇺
Very useful video and presentation of ATS. How about your water change schedule if you have it at all?
good video!
I’ve been running a Clearview ATS for a few years and have had no gha in my display!
Algae turf scrubbers are awesome!
Why you cleaning the scrubber so often? Good looking tank bro.
Its entirely dependant on how quick the algae grows, in my case that means I usually need to clear it every 10 days. Some people may be able to go much longer if their tank has lower nutrients and demand.
Looks like a small tank for that large of scrubber. How big is the tank? excellent gas exchange raises ORP extremely well but it is most important to occur at the top of the tank waterline.
Yea its a small tank, only about 80 gallons, but it is extremely densely packed with coral I feed heavily as a result. Sizing for algae scrubbers is best measured by how much you feed (coral and fish food) as opposed to water volume.
@@ReefNerd Thanks for the reply. It certainly works!
I have a waterfall algae scrubber and it has been in place for 3 years. It grows very little algae and I do not know why..
I run it with a filter sock and protein skimmer. I have added supplements to grow algae. Nothing seems to make it grow and there are plenty of nitrates 40ppm and phosphate s over 1 ppm. Please help! Tired of water changes!
120 gallon with sump. 1 8 inch hippo with live rock. Not much algae in tank but can not get nitrates down. Tank is about 10 years old.
Thanks..woo
Whats the brand/model of algae scrubber you have? Given you have high nutrients and have not been able to grow much algae, I would look at the lights that are running on your ATS, they may not be powerful enough. If you do get it to start growing, it will likely grow thick slime that needs to be cleaned more regularly until your nutrient levels come down (the slime is super nutrient dense, just needs to be cleaned off every few days). Also check the flow rate over the screen, needs to be sufficient to cover the whole screen, but not so fast that it sprays everywhere or puts too much pressure on the algae.
@@ReefNerd it is a Clear Water 100 and it pumps 300 gah. This is the flow recommendation according to the manufacturer. The lights are rated for 5 years of life and I have had it for three year’s. I have tried 24. 12 and 18 hours of light a day.
I have now unplugged the protein skimmer to see if it makes a difference.
When I first got it...it grew more then than now. I have never seen my Nitrates lower than 20 and are usually 40 to 50 ppm..thanks
Would you put the algae you remove in a mesh and let your tangs eat it?
Iv tried it and they kinda pick at it sometimes. But my tangs have an obvious preference for the nori I feed them
Where did you get your ATS from Marcus also in Australia been looking for it for sometime
I purchased direct from Santa Monica Filtration in the US. They ship internationally. www.santa-monica.cc/RAIN2-Pole-Mountable-Waterfall-Algae-Scrubber-ATS-with-Green-Grabber-screen-and-GEM5-lights--2-cubes-a-day-feeding_p_87.html
Marine Depot sells the RAIN2 as well.
hi , i just want to know if you change your mind regarding protein skimmer vs algae Scrubber? because i gather all my equipment for my dream tank. and I consider your opinion.
No, I still value an algae scrubber over a skimmer. Though I do run both.
Hey mate, do you think that 1 Rain would be adequate for a 600l tank? I'm debating between the rain or the clearwater.
Absolutely, just get the upgrade to 4 lights instead of 2.
Reef nerdhow is it that I'm running the ssmeset up as you and my algea turns brow when I run my gfo and it ends up dieing and suggestions
What are your phosphate and nitrate readings when you test them? Also how often are you harvesting your algae scrubber?
Well I just tested my phophate on Hahanna checker and I got 0.18 and for nitrate i have no clue and I am actually restarting the growth on the santamonica rain 2 algea scruber do to it dieing of do to use of gfo but I can probably be wrong and I have only done one harvest before the algea died
@@ReefNerd Well I just tested my phophate on Hahanna checker and I got 0.18 and for nitrate i have no clue and I am actually restarting the growth on the santamonica rain 2 algea scruber do to it dieing of do to use of gfo but I can probably be wrong and I have only done one harvest before the algea died
@@reefjunkies6197 I would not restart the growth on the rain 2 (I assume you mean letting the screen dry/clean completely) It will set you back and most likely just grown brown slime again.
I am not sure the brown growth is related to your use of GFO, I believe its due to your phosphate (and likely nitrate) being too high. At levels that high the brown slime will out-compete the green hair algae. In some case people can lower their nutrients through growing brown slime in the scrubber, the difference is that you need to harvest it every 2-3 days. It may not work for you, or it may take a long time to lower your levels that way. If it were me I would use lanthanum chloride to lower my phosphates to the 0.04-0.05 range, at that point the algae scrubber should work much better, grow algae again, and keep the nutrients low.
Have you kept Mandarin fish or ruby red dragonet
Yes, I have a pair of mandarins, both are super fat and live off the copepods in my tank. I have had them for coming up on 18 months now.
Hi Marcus. What filter are you using for your camera?
Are you dosing iron for growing the algae in your ATS?
I use an Olympus E-PL8 Camera with a pretty standard lens. I use the vivid color setting, its seems to help cut through the blue and do okay with tank lighting. I then do a bit more color correction in iMovie. None of that is perfect, definitely room for improvement! For still shots I sometimes use my iPhone XS which does okay, but then color correct in light-room afterwards.
I am not dosing it specifically, however its included in most trace element programs so if your dosing any trace program your probably also dosing Iron as part of that. With green hair algae I find dosing Iron is not strictly necessary, for some people they find it a requirement especially if growing Chaeto