Algae Scrubber vs Algae Reactor - Page 4

Devaji108 · 06/11/2016, 01:23 PM

OK so I have not checked the ATS in a few days.
Here are some fresh pics looks like I am getting some growth in high flow areas on the air tube and the top of the unit.

Found this lil guy there too

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Tapatalk

Devaji108 · 06/11/2016, 01:33 PM

so I am thinking it's a air flow problem I am having...
nor 100% the air is flowing up the surface area or a lil in front of it?

well there is my update. if you guys have any thoughts let me know.

OhMatic · 06/12/2016, 06:45 PM

I would give it some more time. And get a cheap automatic timer which makes things a lot esier..
I think the hardest part is getting the first algae to start.....

OhMatic · 06/28/2016, 01:38 AM

I took my algae reactor off line. My Algae Scrubber is doing such a better job and the ClearTides Algae Reactor was such a pain to clean.
Maybe when I complete my DIY reactor I will try algae reactors again...

OhMatic · 06/28/2016, 02:35 AM

algae scrubber win

maxxII · 06/30/2016, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OhMatic

algae scrubber win

In your system.

Not in mine.

Every system is different.

ksed · 06/30/2016, 07:19 PM

Maxx, Just wondering if you would be able is your feedback on your experience with the ATS. How does it compare pros and cons with both systems .

Thanks

Quote:

Originally Posted by maxxII

In your system.

Not in mine.

Every system is different.

maxxII · 06/30/2016, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ksed

Maxx, Just wondering if you would be able is your feedback on your experience with the ATS. How does it compare pros and cons with both systems .

Thanks

Not sure if you're being snarky or not as I posted this waaaaaay back on page one of this four page thread:

Quote:

Originally Posted by maxxII

I've never used an algae scrubber.
But my ARID E18 reduced my PO4 levels from 0.08 to 0.00 in 11 days.
ARID E18 Phosphate Control.

I'm not disparaging algae scrubbers at all. I've just never used one.

I think a better question is which method is easier to use and maintain over the long haul.

Whichever one of those methods works best for you is the one you should use.

My set up is space limited and I dont have room for an ATS system. Hence my post that an ATS might win in his system, but not in mine and that every system is different.

ksed · 07/01/2016, 12:13 PM

Please don't take this the wrong way. Perhaps I expressed myself incorrectly. The reason I asked is because I am considering a ARID.
I don't have room in my sump as well therefore well suited for an ARID but at the same time they do have ATS that run external. This is why I had asked.

Quote:

Originally Posted by maxxII

Not sure if you're being snarky or not as I posted this waaaaaay back on page one of this four page thread:

My set up is space limited and I dont have room for an ATS system. Hence my post that an ATS might win in his system, but not in mine and that every system is different.

maxxII · 07/01/2016, 01:13 PM

My apologies for misunderstanding.

I'm happy with the ARID, but it cost significantly more than a ATS at the outset. Depending on how you configure the ATS,(lighting choice/feed pump choice), the ARID can make back the money in terms of chaeto resold to stores, and less energy used....but I dont have anything against the ATS.

The ARID is built around chaeto as a nutrient export medium. It will absolutely suck PO4 and NO3 from your system,(in my case, it worked too well and I had to dial it back). It does NOT act as a refugium or a growing medium for pods. ATS is much better in this regard than the ARID. The ARID has a smaller footprint than most external ATS I've seen, so if space is a concern, I would suggest going that route.

There really are advantages to both/either the ATS or the ARID. I went the ARID route,(along with JBNY and Joe Yaiullo of the Long Island Aquarium)...and I'm very happy with my purchase.

ksed · 07/01/2016, 09:51 PM

Thanks for your reply. I am still up in the air about the two but leaning towards the ARID. My concern with the ATS is I was told they tend to discolour your water more so than a Chaeto based system. Having said that you can run carbon to off set that problem. Then again that would be higher costs in carbon. Lol
You can see how it goes back and forth.

wildman926 · 07/02/2016, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ksed

My concern with the ATS is I was told they tend to discolour your water more so than a Chaeto based system.

In the two years running mine, on two different tanks, I have never encountered that. I can see that happening, if they are not maintained properly. What I mean by that, is don't let the HA get too thick, where the bottom layer starts dying off, leaching back into the water column. I clean mine as needed, whether weekly, or bi-weekly.

ksed · 07/02/2016, 08:41 PM

Thanks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by wildman926

In the two years running mine, on two different tanks, I have never encountered that. I can see that happening, if they are not maintained properly. What I mean by that, is don't let the HA get too thick, where the bottom layer starts dying off, leaching back into the water column. I clean mine as needed, whether weekly, or bi-weekly.

maxxII · 07/03/2016, 12:36 PM

The ATS is less expensive to start up, but takes up more space,(non in sump models). If you have the space, trying an ATS first seems like a better option. If it doesnt work or you feel it's making the water yellow, you could always try the ARID later.

OhMatic · 10/17/2016, 05:20 AM

The problem with the Algae Reactor I had was at first it had good growth but after a month it would have issues.

biecacka · 10/17/2016, 10:58 AM

My ATS took up an area abou 8/3 inches and mine was large. No granted I had the space so it wasn't a big deal. I also built mine to try it out, I would consider buying one or building a smaller more compact version of them for future use. I think both will work, it's a preference I believe. But I never had "yellow" water in my tank

Corey

Buzz1329 · 10/18/2016, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by outy

Remember

The size of your ATS is determined by how much you feed not the size of the tank.

I know the people who sell the ATSs say this, but I've always wondered what it's based on? Is there any way to objectively prove/measure this?

Mike

homerclease · 10/18/2016, 08:57 PM

I don't think there is a winner..only losers!!! The losers are those who are not trying to solve the issue!!!!

sepulvd · 10/18/2016, 11:57 PM

i have a BRS dual reactor. i have been debating turning the gfo side into a cheato reactor and then have carbon on the other reactor. do you guys think that would work.

homerclease · 10/19/2016, 05:07 AM

I think it should work no problem. I have a two little fishes reactor I am making a cheato reactor.. just have to watch how big the cheato gets I would guess..

OhMatic · 11/02/2016, 03:54 AM

How have your DIY reactors been performing?

OhMatic · 12/09/2016, 02:51 AM

I did another month of testing: ATS vs. Algae Reactor with more flow through the Algae Reactor and more LEDs.
But ATS is still hands down winner.
The only other thing I can think of is trying a bigger reactor...

OhMatic · 12/25/2016, 06:45 AM

Made a bigger DIY algae reactor. Not happy with the results. Just changed lights more watts....

OhMatic · 12/31/2016, 08:40 PM

See attached...

jason2459 · 12/31/2016, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buzz1329

I know the people who sell the ATSs say this, but I've always wondered what it's based on? Is there any way to objectively prove/measure this?

Mike

Its been revised over the years based on lots of feed back and experimenting. It's also spelled out mainly for those wanting to build their own and not for those selling the products.

06/28/2016, 02:35 AM	#80
OhMatic Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: USA Posts: 261	. algae scrubber win

07/01/2016, 01:13 PM	#85
maxxII Super Housemonkey! Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: St Louis Mo Posts: 4,442	My apologies for misunderstanding. I'm happy with the ARID, but it cost significantly more than a ATS at the outset. Depending on how you configure the ATS,(lighting choice/feed pump choice), the ARID can make back the money in terms of chaeto resold to stores, and less energy used....but I dont have anything against the ATS. The ARID is built around chaeto as a nutrient export medium. It will absolutely suck PO4 and NO3 from your system,(in my case, it worked too well and I had to dial it back). It does NOT act as a refugium or a growing medium for pods. ATS is much better in this regard than the ARID. The ARID has a smaller footprint than most external ATS I've seen, so if space is a concern, I would suggest going that route. There really are advantages to both/either the ATS or the ARID. I went the ARID route,(along with JBNY and Joe Yaiullo of the Long Island Aquarium)...and I'm very happy with my purchase. __________________ A good friend will come and bail you out of jail...but, a true friend will be sitting next to you saying, "Damn, that was fun!"

07/03/2016, 12:36 PM	#89
maxxII Super Housemonkey! Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: St Louis Mo Posts: 4,442	The ATS is less expensive to start up, but takes up more space,(non in sump models). If you have the space, trying an ATS first seems like a better option. If it doesnt work or you feel it's making the water yellow, you could always try the ARID later. __________________ A good friend will come and bail you out of jail...but, a true friend will be sitting next to you saying, "Damn, that was fun!"

06/11/2016, 01:23 PM	#76
Devaji108 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Jackson Hole Wy Posts: 3,430	OK so I have not checked the ATS in a few days. Here are some fresh pics looks like I am getting some growth in high flow areas on the air tube and the top of the unit. Found this lil guy there too Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Tapatalk

06/11/2016, 01:33 PM	#77
Devaji108 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Jackson Hole Wy Posts: 3,430	so I am thinking it's a air flow problem I am having... nor 100% the air is flowing up the surface area or a lil in front of it? well there is my update. if you guys have any thoughts let me know.

06/12/2016, 06:45 PM	#78
OhMatic Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: USA Posts: 261	I would give it some more time. And get a cheap automatic timer which makes things a lot esier.. I think the hardest part is getting the first algae to start.....

06/28/2016, 01:38 AM	#79
OhMatic Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: USA Posts: 261	I took my algae reactor off line. My Algae Scrubber is doing such a better job and the ClearTides Algae Reactor was such a pain to clean. Maybe when I complete my DIY reactor I will try algae reactors again...

07/01/2016, 09:51 PM	#86
ksed Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 1,867	Thanks for your reply. I am still up in the air about the two but leaning towards the ARID. My concern with the ATS is I was told they tend to discolour your water more so than a Chaeto based system. Having said that you can run carbon to off set that problem. Then again that would be higher costs in carbon. Lol You can see how it goes back and forth.

10/17/2016, 05:20 AM	#90
OhMatic Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: USA Posts: 261	The problem with the Algae Reactor I had was at first it had good growth but after a month it would have issues.

10/17/2016, 10:58 AM	#91
biecacka Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Columbus Ohio Posts: 6,361	My ATS took up an area abou 8/3 inches and mine was large. No granted I had the space so it wasn't a big deal. I also built mine to try it out, I would consider buying one or building a smaller more compact version of them for future use. I think both will work, it's a preference I believe. But I never had "yellow" water in my tank Corey

10/18/2016, 08:57 PM	#93
homerclease Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 53	I don't think there is a winner..only losers!!! The losers are those who are not trying to solve the issue!!!!

10/18/2016, 11:57 PM	#94
sepulvd Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: oak harbor, wa Posts: 190	i have a BRS dual reactor. i have been debating turning the gfo side into a cheato reactor and then have carbon on the other reactor. do you guys think that would work.

10/19/2016, 05:07 AM	#95
homerclease Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 53	I think it should work no problem. I have a two little fishes reactor I am making a cheato reactor.. just have to watch how big the cheato gets I would guess..

11/02/2016, 03:54 AM	#96
OhMatic Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: USA Posts: 261	How have your DIY reactors been performing?

12/09/2016, 02:51 AM	#97
OhMatic Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: USA Posts: 261	I did another month of testing: ATS vs. Algae Reactor with more flow through the Algae Reactor and more LEDs. But ATS is still hands down winner. The only other thing I can think of is trying a bigger reactor...

12/25/2016, 06:45 AM	#98
OhMatic Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: USA Posts: 261	Made a bigger DIY algae reactor. Not happy with the results. Just changed lights more watts....