Algal turf scrubber: any experience with this?
 

Just wondering who is running one of these. I have a refugium and macro growth seems to be slow.

Re: Algal turf scrubber: any experience with this?
 

Me too but grows OK i add Lugols , Tech-1 and Iodide, T5 2 feetx2 lighting
3 inch sugar size sand bed.
I think it works fine , but I dont see any significant difference with or without it
Next time will do the same but with less sand bed

If your macro algae growth is slow and you measure nitrates and get a reading of about zip, take that to mean you've found a good balance between feeding and water changes. If you have nitrates show up on your test you may want to find something to increase macro growth, more light etc or another type of macro algae.

Doug

I have been running a large turf scrubber for years now. Have a look in my gallery for pics. I will post more later.

Boy it sure would be nice to have that direct link to Doug's gallery now Titus.. :mrgreen:
*hint* *hint*

Re: Algal turf scrubber: any experience with this?
 

turn your skimmer off for a few days and you will see your macros take off!

I understand that an algal turf scrubber is much more efficient at nutrient removal than a refugium with macroalgae. Cycles of wet/dry in the scrubber allow more CO2 supply to grow the algae better. That is why I am considering building an algal turf scrubber.

hmmm wouldn't run out and build one just yet. theres a reason they went the way of the dinos. apperently they try'd a test at some university with reef tanks and scrubbers. they could never get nitrates down to decent levels. skimmers also supply mucho o2 which is really needed for many many reasons. I'd like nothing better than NOT to have a skimmer but I think its very needed.

no it isnt. i run a stocked 90 with a large fuge and 0 nitrates.

Hi Johnny;
Where did you find that info? I have seen near every turf scrubber thread in recent years and never seen that stated. There are at least 3 lonh threads on RC, with lost of pics and the such.

If anything, I would say they are very efficient in the removal of nitrates, plus ammonia, nitrite, phosphate and some heavy metals.

However IMO, the scrubber screen size is under rated, I suppose somewhat like skimmers. :lol: Mine was the large unit, once made by Inland Aquatics. It retailed at near $800 Canadian, but it was a beautiful looking unit, to sit at top of your tank.

In the 4yrs. of my use, I have found it to be very helpful with the filtration, but on my larger tanks, with my heavy feeding, I have not had success without a skimmer also.