santamonica
Member
ALGAE SCRUBBER FAQ 3.0
(2/8/09)
Because there are no links to other sites, I'll just post the new scrubber FAQ here, so it does not disrupt the scrubber thread. If you want to reply, don't do it here... do so on the scrubber thread instead:
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/330606/mega-powerful-nitrate-and-phosphate-remover-replaces-skimmer-refugium-everything
Part 1 of 11:
Topics:
Scrubber Basics
Scrubber Configurations
Scrubber Lighting
Scrubber Flow
Scrubber Materials
Scrubber Results
Scrubber Comparisons
Scrubber Applications
Scrubber Advanced Topics
Miscellaneous
Scrubber Basics:
Q: What are algae scrubbers?
A: Scrubbers are devices which use light and flowing water to remove the "bad" things from your aquarium water, while leaving the "good" things (food) in.
Q: What are these scrubbers called?
A: They are called Scrubbers, Algae Turf Scrubbers (ATS), Algae Scrubbers, Algae Filters, Turf Scrubbers, and Turf Algae Filters. They are all the same thing.
Q: Do I need one?
A: If you have nuisance algae growing in your tank, then an algae scrubber will remove it.
Q: Will a scrubber cause more algae to start growing in my display?
A: No. A scrubber will only remove algae from your display.
Q: How long does it take to get results?
A: Typically, the nitrate, phosphate and nuisance algae will start reducing after you have cleaned off a full screen of algae two or three times. However, even you still clean it weekly, it may take a few weeks for the screen to be completely full for the first time. On average, most people solve their nitrate, phosphate and nuisance algae problems within eight weeks, and some people who have very strong lights (within 4" (10cm) of the screen) do so within four weeks. Strong lights and weekly cleaning are the keys.
Q: How big of a scrubber do I need?
A: Start with one square inch (6.25 square cm) of screen, with a light on both sides, for every U.S. gallon (3.8 liters) of water in your display tank. Thus a 100 gallon display tank would need a screen 10 inches by 10 inches (100 square inches), with a light on both sides. If you can only put a light on one side, then you need to double the screen area, and also double the lighting on that one side. You don't need to include the volume of the sump, unless it also has livestock in it that you feed.
Q: Will a scrubber harm my corals?
A: No. As a matter of fact, corals like a lot of food in the water, and they also like low levels of nitrate and phosphate. That's exactly what scrubbers provide. This applies especially to SPS corals.
Q: Will a scrubber work in freshwater?
A: Absolutely. Same benefits, similar to plants, but in a more compact space. You just have to keep your CO2 levels up.
Q: I've heard that scrubbers will cause your water to turn yellow.
A: Not if cleaned weekly in your sink. Yellowing is caused by cleaning the screen while it's still in your system (the broken algae then drains into your water), or by not cleaning weekly (in which case the underlying algae gets covered and shaded by newer algae, and dies).
(2/8/09)
Because there are no links to other sites, I'll just post the new scrubber FAQ here, so it does not disrupt the scrubber thread. If you want to reply, don't do it here... do so on the scrubber thread instead:
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/330606/mega-powerful-nitrate-and-phosphate-remover-replaces-skimmer-refugium-everything
Part 1 of 11:
Topics:
Scrubber Basics
Scrubber Configurations
Scrubber Lighting
Scrubber Flow
Scrubber Materials
Scrubber Results
Scrubber Comparisons
Scrubber Applications
Scrubber Advanced Topics
Miscellaneous
Scrubber Basics:
Q: What are algae scrubbers?
A: Scrubbers are devices which use light and flowing water to remove the "bad" things from your aquarium water, while leaving the "good" things (food) in.
Q: What are these scrubbers called?
A: They are called Scrubbers, Algae Turf Scrubbers (ATS), Algae Scrubbers, Algae Filters, Turf Scrubbers, and Turf Algae Filters. They are all the same thing.
Q: Do I need one?
A: If you have nuisance algae growing in your tank, then an algae scrubber will remove it.
Q: Will a scrubber cause more algae to start growing in my display?
A: No. A scrubber will only remove algae from your display.
Q: How long does it take to get results?
A: Typically, the nitrate, phosphate and nuisance algae will start reducing after you have cleaned off a full screen of algae two or three times. However, even you still clean it weekly, it may take a few weeks for the screen to be completely full for the first time. On average, most people solve their nitrate, phosphate and nuisance algae problems within eight weeks, and some people who have very strong lights (within 4" (10cm) of the screen) do so within four weeks. Strong lights and weekly cleaning are the keys.
Q: How big of a scrubber do I need?
A: Start with one square inch (6.25 square cm) of screen, with a light on both sides, for every U.S. gallon (3.8 liters) of water in your display tank. Thus a 100 gallon display tank would need a screen 10 inches by 10 inches (100 square inches), with a light on both sides. If you can only put a light on one side, then you need to double the screen area, and also double the lighting on that one side. You don't need to include the volume of the sump, unless it also has livestock in it that you feed.
Q: Will a scrubber harm my corals?
A: No. As a matter of fact, corals like a lot of food in the water, and they also like low levels of nitrate and phosphate. That's exactly what scrubbers provide. This applies especially to SPS corals.
Q: Will a scrubber work in freshwater?
A: Absolutely. Same benefits, similar to plants, but in a more compact space. You just have to keep your CO2 levels up.
Q: I've heard that scrubbers will cause your water to turn yellow.
A: Not if cleaned weekly in your sink. Yellowing is caused by cleaning the screen while it's still in your system (the broken algae then drains into your water), or by not cleaning weekly (in which case the underlying algae gets covered and shaded by newer algae, and dies).