Clearwater Algae Scrubber

Ecotech Marine
Nutramar Foods

MERKEY

Cronies
Review score
+0 /0 /-0
View Badges
Joined
Oct 5, 2019
Messages
9,537
Reaction score
46,124
Review score
+0 /0 /-0
Location
Washington
Rating - 100%
1   0   0
They both will remove nutrients so they have that in common.

A refugium will grow macro algeas and you can add sand, miracle mud, and some even have fish in theirs.

An algea scrubber strictly grows algea.

There are 3 big brands of scrubbers that we see now.

Clear water

Ice cap

Santa Monica

Clear water and ice cap take the same approach and use leds in a box with a drop down style curtain for the algea to grow. Clear water claims theirs are much better than other brands. It's all about the light and configuration inside the case I guess that's superior.

They also cost twice as much.

Santa Monica has multiple variations of scrubbers which all seem to work very well.
 

vetteguy53081

Well known Member and monster tank lover
Review score
+12 /0 /-0
View Badges
Joined
Aug 11, 2013
Messages
79,320
Reaction score
171,014
Review score
+12 /0 /-0
Location
Wisconsin - Florida delayed due 2 hurricane damage
Rating - 100%
6   0   0
I am new at the hobby. The lfs said a refugium would be helpful soon. I saw the Clearwater today in a YouTube video. Does this do what a refugium does.

thanks
Ive used scrubber several years and it IMO is more effective than refugium and reduces Nitrates very well and very easy to service.
This is one of my harvests:

1679242032676.png
1679242043015.png
 
Top Shelf Aquatics

thatmanMIKEson

Reefing ain't easy$
Review score
+0 /0 /-0
View Badges
Joined
Jan 10, 2021
Messages
4,260
Reaction score
4,049
Review score
+0 /0 /-0
Location
florida
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Ive used scrubber several years and it IMO is more effective than refugium and reduces Nitrates very well and very easy to service.
This is one of my harvests:

View attachment 3070777View attachment 3070778
I agree they work better than a refugium depending on size and what your trying to do with either.

This reminds me of your recent thread on crazy product prices! I think cw scrubbers made the list lol.
 

vetteguy53081

Well known Member and monster tank lover
Review score
+12 /0 /-0
View Badges
Joined
Aug 11, 2013
Messages
79,320
Reaction score
171,014
Review score
+12 /0 /-0
Location
Wisconsin - Florida delayed due 2 hurricane damage
Rating - 100%
6   0   0
I agree they work better than a refugium depending on size and what your trying to do with either.

This reminds me of your recent thread on crazy product prices! I think cw scrubbers made the list lol.
Yes- 2 years ago a CW-50 (smallest) was $289 and now with purple color added is almost $600 !!
 
Top Shelf Aquatics

vetteguy53081

Well known Member and monster tank lover
Review score
+12 /0 /-0
View Badges
Joined
Aug 11, 2013
Messages
79,320
Reaction score
171,014
Review score
+12 /0 /-0
Location
Wisconsin - Florida delayed due 2 hurricane damage
Rating - 100%
6   0   0

thatmanMIKEson

Reefing ain't easy$
Review score
+0 /0 /-0
View Badges
Joined
Jan 10, 2021
Messages
4,260
Reaction score
4,049
Review score
+0 /0 /-0
Location
florida
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I too had a home built unit a few years back and your expense of $80 solidifies the question. . . Where does $600-$800 pricing get justified?
You know where....no where lol
 
Top Shelf Aquatics
AI Hydra

Polyp polynomial: How many heads do you start with when buying zoas?

  • One head is enough to get started.

    Votes: 27 10.6%
  • 2 to 4 heads.

    Votes: 145 57.1%
  • 5 heads or more.

    Votes: 65 25.6%
  • Full colony.

    Votes: 10 3.9%
  • Other.

    Votes: 7 2.8%
Pirates Reef Corals
Back
Top