Anybody here used a turf scrubber before?

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Reminder Of The Day:

Feeding: Here are the two building block articles by Eric Borneman that cover what happens when you feed your tank. This information is what you need to know to understand what scrubbers do:

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-01/eb/index.php
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-03/eb/index.php

Here is an excerpt from the second one:

"Detritus [waste] ... is the principal food source for the many bacterial species that work in various nitrification and denitrification activities. Before reaching the microbial community, however, [waste] acts as a food source for the smaller consumers such as amphipods, copepods, errant polychaetes, protozoans, flagellates, ciliates and other animals whose activities contribute to the stability and productivity of a coral reef and a coral reef aquarium."

and

"Of the many food sources available to corals and already discussed in this series of articles, particulate organic material [waste], dissolved organic material [DOC/DOM], and bacteria are the most universally accepted food sources"

and

"The use of detrital material, or particulate organic material, as food source is a cornerstone of coral reef ecology and forms what is well accepted to be the base of the entire food chain"
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Here's one reason I really like using scrubber without a skimmer. My purple gorg and red feather star stay open and extended all day and night, even though they naturally do so only during the night. But since there is no skimmer removing organics (food), and since the scrubber adds pods to the water all day, not only do they eat well, but they do so 24/7. Note: You cannot keep filter feeders likes these if you have a skimmer...

http://www.radio-media.com/fish/My90...dGorgSmall.jpg

Hi-Res: http://www.radio-media.com/fish/My90starAndGorg.jpg
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http://www.radio-media.com/fish/Nutrients3.jpg
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Text Version:

Nutrients, part 3

The amount of Inorganic Nitrate and Inorganic Phosphate that a scrubber removes is directly controlled by how much light-power hits the scrubber:

1" - The light-power is full strength.
4" - At 4" distance, the same bulb power has to cover four times the area, so the power per square inch is only 25 percent of what is was (reduced 75%).
6" - At 6" distance, the same bulb power has to cover nine times the area, so the power per square inch is only 11 percent of what is was (reduced 89%).

This is why placing the bulb very close to the scrubber is extremely important.
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OK - Let's keep it simple.

SantaMonica:
What is the extent of your experience with algae turf scrubbers?
How long have you had those filter feeders that you just posted about?
And please post a pic of your first 5 gal scrubber with your tank in the same pic - thanks.

Reminder of the Day: Proper Flow


While not as important as how strong and near the bulb is, proper flow has shown to help a lot. Before Mrobo770131 on the UR site got things tuned properly, his flow looked like this:

http://www.radio-media.com/fish/User...131onUR-28.jpg


Zennzzo on the MFK site, however, got it perfect from the start:

http://www.radio-media.com/fish/UserZennzzoOnMFK-5.jpg



The trick is to have 35 gph (adjustable) for every inch width of the screen. And this is assuming your waterfall pipe has a slot. If your pipe uses drilled holes (not recommended) then you will use less.
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Quote:

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Originally Posted by SantaMonica

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Here's one reason I really like using scrubber without a skimmer. My purple But since there is no skimmer removing organics (food), and since the scrubber adds pods to the water all day, not only do they eat well, but they do so 24/7. Note: You cannot keep filter feeders likes these if you have a skimmer...


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This is untrue. Many people keep non photosynthetic filterfeeders in skimmed tanks. In heavily skimmed high flow tanks target feeding may be needed but most of these kept in captivity in the world are kept in skimmed tanks.

Also extension is not always a good sign. experimental data has shown certain chemicals can induce extension. I am not saying this is whats happening in your tank but it is a possibility when you see extension that it is not a sign of health

I agree with jenglish. You most certainly can keep filter feeders and use a skimmer.

SantaMonica, I believe that everyone will agree that forums are for "discussion". While I applaud your efforts in posting "in great detail" the possible uses of an algae scrubber in an aquarium setup, I believe I am not the only one that would like to know the extent of your "personal" experience with algae scrubbers. Please answer the question.

also could you provide a full tank shot. I would like to see your tank. thank you

Graphix there is a full tank on page 1, although it uses my 5 y/o 2meg sony. I'm going to be doing a pic/vid shoot with the guy who had the giant scrubber, and I'll post those. He has a pro cam.