where can i buy turf to seed my ats???
- Thread starter tlc
- Start date
Speaking of ATS's,
cwa, I think you've been running your ATS (Algae Turf Scrubber) for a while now......
Are you happy with it, and how often do you harvest the algae? And do you simply feed the edible stuff back to your herbivores?
....Hope you reply.... :wink:
and tlc....as you add more and more critters, spores or seeds or "whatevers" will be included in the water, so don't worry too much about "seeding" your system.
Mitch
cwa, I think you've been running your ATS (Algae Turf Scrubber) for a while now......
Are you happy with it, and how often do you harvest the algae? And do you simply feed the edible stuff back to your herbivores?
....Hope you reply.... :wink:
and tlc....as you add more and more critters, spores or seeds or "whatevers" will be included in the water, so don't worry too much about "seeding" your system.
Mitch
I have been running a DIY ATS for about two years. I also have a refugium and harvest macroalgae. I get about 6 ounces of material from the ATS every two weeks. I perfer the ATS if filtration is the only consideration at it seems much more efficient than macroalgae. I have both because I feed heavily.
Here is an example of how well they work. As most know, mine had a lot of shipping damage and thus it was modified to stop leaking. Anyways, after running for awile and developing a good screen, I gave it to a friend at the lfs where I deal. I was setting up the 180 and redoing the 170, so what the heck.
His show tank has lots of hair algae. After a couple weeks of operation its clearing up very nice. He is impressed. He made a new body and dump out of glass. Its mounted higher above the tank. Actually pretty neat. We are going to build one the same to put back on my 170. The dump will feed a lower compartment and into a 2 inch pipe directed into the tank. Its also going to be mounted on the wall above the tank. Remember, these are behind the wall tanks.
His show tank has lots of hair algae. After a couple weeks of operation its clearing up very nice. He is impressed. He made a new body and dump out of glass. Its mounted higher above the tank. Actually pretty neat. We are going to build one the same to put back on my 170. The dump will feed a lower compartment and into a 2 inch pipe directed into the tank. Its also going to be mounted on the wall above the tank. Remember, these are behind the wall tanks.
Did you basically use your standard ATS 250 to make the glass one or did you really simplify it?If your screen surface area are large enough, bryopsis on it should suck up all available nutrients in the tank leaving bryopsis in the tank starving. Afterall, bryopsis utilizes nutrients much more efficient than most macro algae we grow in the tank.
tlc, I will have to read before commenting on that. But I would think Hippo is correct.
Shane, My friend built the body from glass as mine was broken. He made a similar dump chute, but modified it to sit higher above the tank. Its actually a good foot above and completely to one side. Painted all the glass black to block the light.
The one were making for myself will be similar shape. The big difference will be the holding area for the dump water. It will feed a 2 inch dump pipe. This will allow the scrubber to be placed higher up on the wall and out of the way on my tanks top. Also hoping the surge from the pipe, will be more. I may use my old hood with its 55 watt compacts for light, or we may do a 4 ft style to hold standard 48 inch lights. Will take some pics for ya.
Shane, My friend built the body from glass as mine was broken. He made a similar dump chute, but modified it to sit higher above the tank. Its actually a good foot above and completely to one side. Painted all the glass black to block the light.
The one were making for myself will be similar shape. The big difference will be the holding area for the dump water. It will feed a 2 inch dump pipe. This will allow the scrubber to be placed higher up on the wall and out of the way on my tanks top. Also hoping the surge from the pipe, will be more. I may use my old hood with its 55 watt compacts for light, or we may do a 4 ft style to hold standard 48 inch lights. Will take some pics for ya.
I got the seed screen from IA. I don't think that is nessary though. The algae seems to take its course. I took the screen outside and smacked it on the clean cement to remove the excess algae. I was rinsing it with tap water from the hose but that killed off some of the algae. After a fedw months I had many different algae growing. Not just the kind that you might see in a tank but some strange ones too. IMO, do not sterilize your screen. Be patient. If you want to give IA your money then do so, but its not needed. Get a small piece of new uncured live rock and place it in your system for seed.
I have been redesigning my sea grass tank to utilize my ATS 250.
I had to create an extention to make it down to the water as this will be mounted on top of the 12" canopy. I have new lights and sockets coming soon from AHsupply. How do you all keep your sockets dry? The old ones shorted out and the bulb pins corroded in only 3 months last time!~(
Here is a picture of my ATS body with the extention added and ready for fitting.
HTH
Joe
I have been redesigning my sea grass tank to utilize my ATS 250.
I had to create an extention to make it down to the water as this will be mounted on top of the 12" canopy. I have new lights and sockets coming soon from AHsupply. How do you all keep your sockets dry? The old ones shorted out and the bulb pins corroded in only 3 months last time!~(
Here is a picture of my ATS body with the extention added and ready for fitting.
HTH
Joe
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