Suggest me an ATS (algae turf scrubber)

[Miami Reef]

I don’t want to add a refugium because I don’t want exposed light in my sump.

Can someone suggest me a decent algae turf scrubber for my 260 gallon tank? Ease of installation and harvest is a priority of mine.

 

[Snoopy 67]

The best would be Turbo's Aquatics. Bud's products work great.

Turbo's Aquatics – Top Quality Algae Scrubbers

www.turbosaquatics.com

 

[Miami Reef]

@Turbo's Aquatics I sent an email.

 

[Devaji]

@Turbo's Aquatics I sent an email.

Bud is taking it easy after some medical stuff. so I dont think he will be making any, any time soon. his has been on the top of my list for years.

I am in the market for one too. for a 200/275 w/ sump FOWLR
I am between the in sump icecaps unit.
and the Santa Monica surf 4X

I think both are way over priced. I have DIY them in the past. but looking for a cleaner build.
the surf kinda looks DIYed to my might try to make my own..IDK

I have a new water fall unit that would sit about the sump but kinda want something in the sump.
if you're interested shoot me a PM and we can talk about it.

 

[Miami Reef]

I ordered one from eBay. I found an inexpensive and well-made scrubber. He has outstanding reviews and is backed by eBay as a consistently great vendor.

I’m VERY happy with the scrubber I got.

Algae Clean Scrubber Hang on Sump ACS-10-S-G4 with NEW Algae Flex Screen. | eBay

Algae Clean Scrubber ACS-10-S-G4 (Hang on Sump). ALGAE CLEAN SCRUBBER. As both Nylon algae screen and NEW AFS-10 Algae Flex Screen More durable, strong, flexible, easy to harvest algae, Yet leaves enough algae to start again.

www.ebay.com

 

[Snoopy 67]

After running for a while, a review would be appreciated

 

[Miami Reef]

After running for a while, a review would be appreciated

Sure thing.

 

[Devaji]

nice man, I was looking at that one a while back. do let us know what you think of it.
I wanna see some install pics too.

 

[Miami Reef]

nice man, I was looking at that one a while back. do let us know what you think of it.
I wanna see some install pics too.

It’s a hang on back. All you need is to pump water into the unit. The water flows out the bottom, and it comes with a sock that slides in perfectly to silence it.

It’s a perfect unit. I love it so much.

 

[Devaji]

It’s a hang on back. All you need is to pump water into the unit. The water flows out the bottom, and it comes with a sock that slides in perfectly to silence it.

It’s a perfect unit. I love it so much.

There is no. Splashing from the water going back to the sump?

 

[Miami Reef]

There is no. Splashing from the water going back to the sump?

Nope. The sock prevents that.

 

[Ironfish]

I went with the IceCap Pro Large for my 260gal RS Reefer 1000.
Easy to harvest and the price wasn't crazy.

 

[Miami Reef]

Nope. The sock prevents that.

However, he also sells side flow units. I actually ordered both the side flow and the hang on back, but I saw that the HOB fit my setup better so I returned the side flow with no issues.

He’s a fantastic vendor.

 

[cdnco2004]

Bud is taking it easy after some medical stuff. so I dont think he will be making any, any time soon. his has been on the top of my list for years.

I am in the market for one too. for a 200/275 w/ sump FOWLR
I am between the in sump icecaps unit.
and the Santa Monica surf 4X

I think both are way over priced. I have DIY them in the past. but looking for a cleaner build.
the surf kinda looks DIYed to my might try to make my own..IDK

I have a new water fall unit that would sit about the sump but kinda want something in the sump.
if you're interested shoot me a PM and we can talk about it.

This is exactly where I am for same size systems. I was first looking at the Large IceCap Pro for $650 then after reading posts on here really looking at Santa Monica Surf4x. After talking to Santa Monica they recommended that I get first a HOG 3xx $445 and then down the road after the HOG is going strong add in a Surf4 $499 or 4x $559. I am really split now. I really don't like the idea of spending over $1k for ATS for 1 tank.

 

[Devaji]

This is exactly where I am for same size systems. I was first looking at the Large IceCap Pro for $650 then after reading posts on here really looking at Santa Monica Surf4x. After talking to Santa Monica they recommended that I get first a HOG 3xx $445 and then down the road after the HOG is going strong add in a Surf4 $499 or 4x $559. I am really split now. I really don't like the idea of spending over $1k for ATS for 1 tank.

you mush of be talking to vintageReefer. he loves his SM Surf 4...
I really looked into it it. I think it just way over priced for a DIY finish.
I did love the fact it could float in my fuge. but the air pump noise turned me off. also I have heard mixed reviews. like everything in the hobby.

that is odd he suggested HOG over the surf.
I made an upflow years ago there cheap and easy to make you could always DIY one then add a surf later?
I bet you could DIY a surf to, even if you did not want to do the lighting he offers it.

I like the in sump standing of the icecap pro. only reason I am not using my Ebay one.

 

[VintageReefer]

I did give feedback on the surf, which I do like, but he also talked to SM directly and he would need a surf8, but his sump section isn’t deep enough. They then recommended a dual setup - hog and surf 4 I believe.

I am at my cabinet now, doors open, and there is the faintest of noises coming from the surf / air pump combo. If my skimmer was plugged in, it would easily be 4x the noise of this.

The thing with the surf that I think drives the price is the entire unit is built to be water sealed and submersible and last forever. The leds and lid are designed to stay cool, theres lens diffuser to spread the light, and the unit is sealed to protect everything. You can tell I don’t keep mine pristine lol, I don’t clean it. My last lid lasted 9+ years and worked same as day 1, but the power supply died from a storm.

The thickness of the algae grown is also a bit deceiving. You can’t really tell from a photo. I put my hand in until my fingers touched the bottom of the chamber and took a pic. The air bubbles come up from holes below, and are forced to go through the algae in order to escape.

It’s a good functional design and it’s built like a tank. And it is quiet if you get a decent air pump. As long as nothing is touching the air pump (cords, other power plugs, walls of cabinet, my pump is a very quiet hum and you can’t hear it if the cabinet doors are closed. You wouldn’t hear it over a skimmer either

To harvest I lift the lid, scoop out a handful like this, close the lid and I’m done. I just toss this in the trash every 10-14 days. Takes 5 seconds don’t even need to turn anything off

 

[Devaji]

I did give feedback on the surf, which I do like, but he also talked to SM directly and he would need a surf8, but his sump section isn’t deep enough. They then recommended a dual setup - hog and surf 4 I believe.

I am at my cabinet now, doors open, and there is the faintest of noises coming from the surf / air pump combo. If my skimmer was plugged in, it would easily be 4x the noise of this.

The thing with the surf that I think drives the price is the entire unit is built to be water sealed and submersible and last forever. The leds and lid are designed to stay cool, theres lens diffuser to spread the light, and the unit is sealed to protect everything. You can tell I don’t keep mine pristine lol, I don’t clean it. My last lid lasted 9+ years and worked same as day 1, but the power supply died from a storm.

The thickness of the algae grown is also a bit deceiving. You can’t really tell from a photo. I put my hand in until my fingers touched the bottom of the chamber and took a pic. The air bubbles come up from holes below, and are forced to go through the algae in order to escape.

It’s a good functional design and it’s built like a tank. And it is quiet if you get a decent air pump. As long as nothing is touching the air pump (cords, other power plugs, walls of cabinet, my pump is a very quiet hum and you can’t hear it if the cabinet doors are closed. You wouldn’t hear it over a skimmer either

To harvest I lift the lid, scoop out a handful like this, close the lid and I’m done. I just toss this in the trash every 10-14 days. Takes 5 seconds don’t even need to turn anything off

Yeah I watch a vid on YT of him epoxy coating the lid . takes time and $$
so you think the are on the surf in the same as a waterfall scrubber?

 

[VintageReefer]

so you think the are on the surf in the same as a waterfall scrubber?

I don’t quite follow, can you rephrase?

 

[Devaji]

so you think the are on the surf in the same as a waterfall scrubber?

I don’t quite follow, can you rephrase?

sorry typo. yes I was wondering if you thought the growing area on the surf 4 would be the same as a waterfall scrubber of 4 cubes per day?

 

[VintageReefer]

What is the screen size for the waterfall unit and is it lit from one side or two?