Introducing the new Turbo Algae Scrubber! (Rev 4)

Dumaurier7 · Mar 18, 2017

PJS said:
I see we have similar setups. Which RO skimmer is that and is that the 4" or 6" waste collector?

It's an SRO5000 INT with the 6. " collector , I'm thinking about upgrading the pump to a VARIOS 6 DC unit.

Dumaurier7 · Mar 18, 2017

Hey Bud! I'm running the ATS 18 hours per day at the 6 o' clock position, I'm getting a fair amount of growth , should I leave it where it is ?

Turbo's Aquatics · Mar 18, 2017

Dumaurier7 said:
Hey Bud! I'm running the ATS 18 hours per day at the 6 o' clock position, I'm getting a fair amount of growth , should I leave it where it is ?

As you get better/thicker growth, you can continue to increase hours and intensity as long as the growth doesn't start to "reverse". If you are running pretty lean on nutrients, feed conservatively, have a lot of other filtration in the mix, then you just want to make slow changes.

Usually the 6 0'clock position is good for the first 2-4 weeks, but as soon as you start to get nice even growth, you can kick up the intensity to 5 o'clock pretty safely, regardless of hours.

In some systems, your algae will grow fine regardless of intensity. But others might find that there is a sort of "maximum" intensity that, if you go much past that, the growth will start to revert, slow, weaken, change, etc. If you hit that point, that is what I call a "set point". That means that your system an only supply a certain amount of nutrients to the algae, and if you up the intensity, there's too much light energy for the algae to be able to adsorb, so you get weird effects. So if this happens, back down the intensity and try extending the duration

Duration seems to have less impact on the growth changes described above (related to too much intensity). What I mean by that is that if you DO have a "set point" on intensity, usually you can extend the duration to the max and you won't see those weird growth effects.

This all has to do with the rate of nutrient delivery and the rate of nutrient adsorption. If you think about it in terms of rates, your algae can only grow (in some cases) according to the nutrients available. You control this to a certain extent through factors like feeding, type of livestock, and flow rate to the scrubber. Next, the algae will be dependent on the light it is provided in order to adsorb these nutrients. So if you have too much light (think of the dimming as increasing/decreasing the "energy" level provided) then you have an imbalance of energy, and the excess can cause issues with growth. But if you have a "balance" of energy/light and nutrients delivery, then you can stay at that balanced state all day, at least over the short term.

Running the lights for a long daily photoperiod for an extended duration can eventually result in nutrient depletion to the point where you will start to see weird growth effects, but that generally takes a lot longer to happen. It's a lot easier to "hit a wall" with high intensity than it is with long duration at a lower intensity.

So that's a really long answer to your question lol....

Maacc · Mar 18, 2017

Any strides coming on your nano line?

Turbo's Aquatics · Mar 20, 2017

Maacc said:
Any strides coming on your nano line?

Nothing yet - getting slammed to the wall at work, I've been so busy that I actually didn't even read any threads on any forum that I'm on for over a week...let alone build anything

Maacc · Apr 5, 2017

Bud,
Quick question, I know it's by the amount fed, but in a new build I will have a +/- 180 gallon tank with cheato in the fuge with some rubble, deltec skimmer. Stocking will consist of foxface, purple tang, various wrasses, gobies and some anthias. Do you think the L2 is suffcient or do I need to bump up the L4? I want to avoid carbon dosing and gfo with a mixed reef but would like to get some nice sps going.

KJAG · Apr 12, 2017

Going on a trip for a few weeks out of the country but will need an L4 soon. Not a massive rush, just curious on the lead time. If it's a few weeks, then add me to the list.

jason2459 · Apr 12, 2017

Maacc said:
Bud,
Quick question, I know it's by the amount fed, but in a new build I will have a +/- 180 gallon tank with cheato in the fuge with some rubble, deltec skimmer. Stocking will consist of foxface, purple tang, various wrasses, gobies and some anthias. Do you think the L2 is suffcient or do I need to bump up the L4? I want to avoid carbon dosing and gfo with a mixed reef but would like to get some nice sps going.

I'd go with the L4

Salty1962 · Apr 13, 2017

jason2459 said:
I'd go with the L4

+1

805reef · Apr 14, 2017

My scrubber is the loudest thing in my tank. I've tried adjusting the screw but it is pretty dang hard to turn these days. Has anybody been successful at making their scrubber silent?

Dumaurier7 · Apr 17, 2017

Just cleaned my L4 , growth is amazing! I will be sure to post pics next ,Ive also noticed that my skimmer takes alot longer to produce the same amount of skimmate , I already have it running 18 hours now I plan to reduce it some more to 12hours!

Turbo's Aquatics · Apr 26, 2017

Sorry for my absence, work demands have resulted in me having to literally stop doing anything that isn't work or family related (including even reading forum threads, not kidding...) since the end of February. Literally, I've been clocking 70 hours/week on one project, and it's only just now spinning down to a manageable amount of time.

Maacc said:
Bud,
Quick question, I know it's by the amount fed, but in a new build I will have a +/- 180 gallon tank with cheato in the fuge with some rubble, deltec skimmer. Stocking will consist of foxface, purple tang, various wrasses, gobies and some anthias. Do you think the L2 is suffcient or do I need to bump up the L4? I want to avoid carbon dosing and gfo with a mixed reef but would like to get some nice sps going.

jason2459 said:
I'd go with the L4

L4 would be the safe bet, but check out this thread:
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/sizing.262896/

Shores805 said:
Going on a trip for a few weeks out of the country but will need an L4 soon. Not a massive rush, just curious on the lead time. If it's a few weeks, then add me to the list.

If you aren't already on the list, my best guess for wait time is 4 months.

805reef said:
My scrubber is the loudest thing in my tank. I've tried adjusting the screw but it is pretty dang hard to turn these days. Has anybody been successful at making their scrubber silent?

I have revised the screw-valve, because of what you are seeing - the nylon screw expands and seizes up and you can't turn it. I will try to get you a replacement valve ASAP (shoot me an email on the support ticket system to remind me please)

KJAG · Apr 27, 2017

Floyd R Turbo said:
Sorry for my absence, work demands have resulted in me having to literally stop doing anything that isn't work or family related (including even reading forum threads, not kidding...) since the end of February. Literally, I've been clocking 70 hours/week on one project, and it's only just now spinning down to a manageable amount of time.

L4 would be the safe bet, but check out this thread:
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/sizing.262896/

If you aren't already on the list, my best guess for wait time is 4 months.

I have revised the screw-valve, because of what you are seeing - the nylon screw expands and seizes up and you can't turn it. I will try to get you a replacement valve ASAP (shoot me an email on the support ticket system to remind me please)

4 months..I guess I should add myself to the list then. How would I go about doing so?
*Disregard: just saw the info on page 1

petemichelle · Apr 30, 2017

hey bud, I sent a ticket for a L4 and the support brackets as well. Just curious did you get it? I'm paranoid that i'm not getting through with the order. peter chan, richmond california. I haven't got any replies from you so I thought I'd ask. Just let me know if i'm on the list or if I have to resubmit the ticket/order.. thanks

Maacc · Apr 30, 2017

Bud, same as the guy above, I know that you are slammed, so no rush, got the auto response ticket 609. Just wanted to make sure I was on the list. John Hellrung, Hollywood Florida
Thanks

Jonty · Apr 30, 2017

I think production has stopped for the last few months.

Turbo's Aquatics · Apr 30, 2017

I get all emails, I have no junk filters, but I haven't had any time (again) this past week to go through and even get a quick reply out to all new tickets. I will be doing this today

jason2459 · Apr 30, 2017

Sorry Bud. I keep telling people how awesome your scrubbers are and that they are well worth the wait.

Should I start telling people that they are horrible and don't think of even trying to get one?