Review: DIY ATS (HOB Filter + Canvas sheet + 10W ATS lighting)

[asg]

Review: DIY ATS

The idea of ATS is pretty simple: provide an ideal place for all the algae to grow so that they won’t be growing in the DT.

As usual, before I DIY my own ATS in my HOD filter, I read up quite a fair bit on ATS. To summary things up, for a successful ATS:

1) Flow has to be quick and random

2) Strong lighting, suggested at 1W per inch square of canvas sheet

3) Rough and uneven surface in the canvas sheet

4) Regular trimming/ cleaning of the ATS (once a week is idea)

So with all the requirements in mind, I purchased a canvas sheet (with 2mm holes) and a 10W ATS (450nm and 650nm) lights during my last business trip in china.

The plan is simple, use three canvas sheets for my ATS so that I can rotate them and wash one each week (to minimise the overall disruption to the ATS ability to absorb nutrients). The lighting is set to 18 hours ON and 6 hours OFF daily.

The result:

The photo was taken three weeks after running the ATS. No doubt there is some algae growth in the ATS but I was not extremely impressed by volume of it. Not sure whether it is because my NO3 and PO4 are undetectable when I started my ATS or it is because the flow rate is not fast enough (the HOB is rated at 700l/hr).

Anyway, I have subsequently removed one of the sheet and left with two sheets and will continue to assess the progress. Hopefully with more space in between the two sheets, the growth will be faster.

Lastly, I guess ATS would be most effective to set up in the first few months of new tank where nutrients, NO3, PO4 are plentiful.

Algae in three sheets (after three weeks)

[pcw]

I second the use of an ATS. Its so efficient that it nearly killed off my chaeto. Both were on the same lighting schedule, 18 hours a day, using two separate PAR 38 bulbs, each with 450nm and 650nm LEDs. Now the bulb lighting my ATS is turned on for half of the original duration. Nitrates and phosphates are undetectable by salifert, API and Red Sea test kits haha gotta be certain. But my Xenias have suffered. Not sure if its because of the nutrients since everything else is doing fine.

[asg]

I second the use of an ATS. Its so efficient that it nearly killed off my chaeto. Both were on the same lighting schedule, 18 hours a day, using two separate PAR 38 bulbs, each with 450nm and 650nm LEDs. Now the bulb lighting my ATS is turned on for half of the original duration. Nitrates and phosphates are undetectable by salifert, API and Red Sea test kits haha gotta be certain. But my Xenias have suffered. Not sure if its because of the nutrients since everything else is doing fine.

My xenia same fate, melted when my NO3 become undectable. Some ATS websites even spelled out that xenia is the coral that suffered when employ a successful ATS...

[xiggie]

Let's add some UAS upflow algae scrubber here if u don't mind TS.

I had success with the UAS. Here's some details of my DIY estimate price included .

Led light $15

Air stone $2

2x daiso basket $4

Air pump $8

Algae screen $2

3 pin plug and wire $4

[xiggie]

Just to add , tangs loves the algae , slurp them

Up like noodles ..!!

[mechgobi]

wow, the UAS design is really nice, want to try it in my freshwater tank..!! miniature set up of this.. can u pls post a video on this working .. thank ..

[Land2013]

UAS is good but then after sometime, the glass also built up with algae. So need to remove both screen n glass algae. When remove algae on glass, it will send back to DT if you dont suck it out with pump off. At the end, i change mine to waterfall. Just need to remove screen algae.

[asg]

Let's add some UAS upflow algae scrubber here if u don't mind TS.

I had success with the UAS. Here's some details of my DIY estimate price included .

Led light $15

Air stone $2

2x daiso basket $4

Air pump $8

Algae screen $2

3 pin plug and wire $4

no problem bro, welcome to share.

one thing i dont understand from your picture is that the basket with algae screen and air stone, is it suppose to be totally submerse in the sump?

[xiggie]

Yes UAS is upflow scrubber used underwater the air bubble make water flow upwards and also provides the gas(co2) for the algae.

I figured it would be a better choice due to low watts of air pump vs the extra water pump for a waterfall ATS.

[xiggie]

UAS is good but then after sometime, the glass also built up with algae. So need to remove both screen n glass algae. When remove algae on glass, it will send back to DT if you dont suck it out with pump off. At the end, i change mine to waterfall. Just need to remove screen algae.

Yes very true . Both scrubber has it's pros and cons . I build the waterfall ATS before this one .. And got sick of the salt spray..

Maybe next I'll try the floating scrubber ..

[Land2013]

Yes very true . Both scrubber has it's pros and cons . I build the waterfall ATS before this one .. And got sick of the salt spray..

Maybe next I'll try the floating scrubber ..

Yeah. Salt spray n i built cover to prevent it. Try floating n update us.

[mechgobi]

waiting for floating scrubber updates..

[xiggie]

waiting for floating scrubber updates..

[pcw]

Wow the algae from your UAS is amazing haha how long did it take to grow though?

[xiggie]

That's 1 week worth of algae , it depends on the tank feeding , more food = more algae per week

[SSC]

Your UAS is really fascinating. How do we make the flow go upwards in the sump? Also, where can we get the airstone and canvas? Thanks so much for sharing.

[xiggie]

Airstone can get from any LFS freshwater shop also have. The screen is from Artfriend clementi , that's where I bought mine , I'm sure they sell them in other branch

And The air bubbles makes the water flow upwards

[SSC]

So the basket is placed vertical in the water? Light source is vertical too?

[xiggie]

Basket doesn't have to be rectangle , it can be a square , so aslong as the air stone is at the bottom any direction is ok , it's all about the algae screen , the air bubbles have to atleast touch the screen, the more bubbles the better..

[SSC]

Thank you bro xiggie. Artfriend outlets are quite out of my way. Does any bro know of other shops selling the canvas? Thanks in advance.

[asg]

Thank you bro xiggie. Artfriend outlets are quite out of my way. Does any bro know of other shops selling the canvas? Thanks in advance.

Bro where do you stay? I am at pg and have extra canvas to let go at $5?