Clams for nutrient redux???

[reefwars]

Originally Posted by doch

Denny - I've never heard of an ATS... care to elaborate?

an ats is a algae turf scrubber and its basically a place to grow hair algae and it will in turn feed on your nitrates, the hair algae is removed weekly and as are the nitrates it has.

i am currently using one and i have my nitrates down to just under 20 from off the chart, and its dropping weekly i have no doubt it will bring me down to zero.

theres only benefits to be had from using this as its all natural no chemicals needed. its also a great place for pods to repopulate.


you need to up your feedings as nutrients are a must to keep it growing but corals and clams benefit from small amounts of nutrients and once youve depleted your system you can simply shut off the ats and theres no harm in starting it and shutting it off as you please.........not sure if that can be said about pellets???:P


another benefit is its cheap to set up as you already have everything you need, the lines can be fed from your return and im just using a clip on desk lamp for my ats.

the screens are lit for 18hrs a day and rinsed off once a week thats the only maintanance these need, there are no reoccuring costs besides running the fuge light.

read up on it its an old method used for years but is seeing popularity again as we learn how to make them better


heres some links:


this ones from us here on canreef who are using them


http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/sho...algae+scrubber



this is a great link on building one:

http://www.livingreefs.com/build-alg...er-t32422.html



and this is the forumn ,lots of good info and ideas


http://algaescrubber.net/forums/