Algae Scrubber

[trip]

Recently purchased a Scrubber from Coralvue:: works fine(algae within 3 weeks)- however, didn't make a dent in my PO4 reduction- disappointing/sad

 

[SantaMonica]

Post pics of the growth and I might be able to tell you why.

 

[trip]

I will send pic in morning, but if pic will give any information-- you must be a aquarian magician!!- much appreciated for help, totally disappointed in lack of PO4 reduction

 

[trip]

 

[SantaMonica]

Well the light is weak, so run it 24 hours; it's causing dark growth which need cleaning more often. Also the cleaning should remove everything on the screen and the pipe slot. Screen should be ready for a complete brushing clean in 5 days.

 

[trip]

Thx for input, I've been running light 24/7 since got. I have 100% red refugium light- maybe I'll give that try. Will clean screen better- hopefully helps

 

[jackson6745]

Thx for input, I've been running light 24/7 since got. I have 100% red refugium light- maybe I'll give that try. Will clean screen better- hopefully helps

FWIW I have a medium Ice cap pro that I added on a 300g system. It pulled my nitrates down from 15-20 to 3-5, and has phosphate running much lower ranging from .03-.1. I run lights 16 hours per day. I scrape it every 3 weeks. Here’s my last harvest

 

[trip]

My PO4 has been dropping & steady ever since I changed the Scrubber lighting to red, Tyvm for your input

 

[Superfish]

It’s good that the scrubber is growing algae, but if your phosphate (PO₄) levels aren’t dropping, it likely means the algae growth isn't aggressive enough to outcompete what's already in the system. You might need to increase light intensity, adjust flow, or supplement with other methods like GFO or water changes to see better PO₄ reduction.