Secret behind ACI Aquaculture's explosive coral growth revealed!

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Күн бұрын

Recently I made the long drive to visit my friend Chris Meckley of ACI Aquaculture to see what he's been up to and was astounded to see the amount of corals that he was growing in his farm. Vivid in color, polyps fully open and extended while displaying clear visual signs of new growth, it was very obvious that Chris has found a sweet spot for his corals. When I asked him what he did since last time I spoke with him and his answer was so simple that it surprised me.
Algae scrubber.
Check out the video where we sit down with Chris and Josh Johnson from Clearwater scrubber where they discuss how it helped them and what you can/should expect and what you should avoid in doing.
Enjoy!

Пікірлер: 68

@williamgoodman2037 4 жыл бұрын

Chris I enjoy your videos so refreshing .thank you for breaking things coral keeping.i have 225 reef system .lps . Acro's

@andrewsdrmike 4 жыл бұрын

I have one of your algae scrubbers on my 190gal and love it. I clean the screens every 2 weeks and run no gfo.

@sunnygoold9449 4 жыл бұрын

I listened to the RNN podcast with Josh - they don't have one for small tanks yet (I understand it's in the works) so I'm getting mine going. Great thing about this was the discussion on Trace Elements. This is the thing that concerns me and I didn't know if the usage of trace was dramatically different from, say, chaeto. I'm just gonna get the Chaeto Grow from Brightwell after listening to this video. With my (forever) upcoming build I'll be getting a scrubber - hopefully an intank one. In this video I wanted to hear more about scrubber vs fuge. I think the scrubber is more work but also I got the impression (in the RNN interview) that it has advantages over a fuge with chaeto besides space. Be good for a future interview to really diver into that. Thanks so much Richard for the hard work that goes into these videos - to Chris for overcoming his 'pigheadedness' and giving us his insight and to Josh for doing these interviews so we have more knowledge.

@Reefscom 4 жыл бұрын

there is a cwt 50 model, however there are models that's in the works for smaller aio tanks. ;) I will be beta testing the unit in few months and I will let you know how that goes. Also you are very welcome and thank you for the feedback!

@sunnygoold9449 4 жыл бұрын

@@Reefscom yeah - I think the message was the same on RNN ;) I have a 15G at the moment but even on my build if I have a 120G display I'd probably prefer one for an AIO system so I can put just put 1 (and then maybe another) inside the sump. It just seems like much less hassle than having to plumb it (I'm useless) - plus I'm in EU so shipping. But I'd hope Josh will come on and explain them further and any differences between the AIO versions (when they are released;) Thanks so much again ;)

@multanemo 4 жыл бұрын

Algae scrubbers in fowlr tanks are great too in overstocked tanks.

@clearwaterscrubbers7589 4 жыл бұрын

Michael Lee yes they are and can almost cut water changes to zero on a FOWLR system.

@philwu271 2 жыл бұрын

Very informative. Question, with its ability to remove phosphate and trace elements, what do you do or suggest to replace the trace elements?

@Reefscom 2 жыл бұрын

Captiv8 aquaculture has easy to dose all in one traces and minerals that scrubbers remove. Isolate MT. I have been using it and have been experiencing great results.

@chadwhitmire6183 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing the video. I just installed the Clearwater scrubber on my 120 gallon system. It has only been on my tank for 4 days. Do I need to "seed" the mesh screen with anything? Thanks for your help and informative vids.

@Reefscom 3 жыл бұрын

Hi Chad! No problem at all and no, you don't have to seed anything. Sit back, relax and enjoy the reef! :)

@chadwhitmire6183 3 жыл бұрын

@@Reefscom , okay and thanks for the rapid response. I plumbed the overflow into one of my filter socks. Therefore, I use it as a small carbon reactor right after I do a water change. Helps clear up the water really quick and i dump the carbon after about 2 days and replace/wash out the filter sock.

@stefanmansukhani8797 3 жыл бұрын

My chaeto all dies off and my baffle became a scrubber by itself, before that I made a DIY scrubber which worked great. Though I have a large sump which makes DIY easier, the whole nutrient thing drives me bonkers one camp swears by low nutrients and another rocks higher nitrates and phosphates, I guess it's about finding the right balance for a specific tank..

@MereReef 4 жыл бұрын

Yesssssssssss more vids like this

@Reefscom 4 жыл бұрын

MereReef thank you and will do! :)

@ottobass4860 4 жыл бұрын

I have bare bottom tank with minimal rock and siporax used instead, use roller matt filter, skimmer 8h/day at night, gfo in reactor if I see PO4 rising and ATS 12h/day. My N03 stays at 1-2 ppm and PO4 0.1-0.5. I test regularly ICP and correct the trace elements to the recommended levels. The thing is I could never get decent grow from my ATS and it just looks like slime most of the time. I tried feeding more and to leave detritus inside the tank when I do water changes but nothing changes. No change in growth from ATS even after I removed the roller mat and switched off the skimmer. Any tips?

@clearwaterscrubbers7589 4 жыл бұрын

Tom 3366 get your iron levels checked. Most of the time with low growth it’s a flow issue of the lack of iron in the system.

@tsurro8086 4 жыл бұрын

I would luv to try one, and remove my skimmer, my levels are .04-.06 phosphate, and 10-25 ppm nitrates, even higher, on my icp tests, mostly sps, no problems but I do use vibrant for bubble algae, and carbon dose to help lower my nitrates, what size for 112 total volume,!,thx

@clearwaterscrubbers7589 4 жыл бұрын

T Surro if you are going to keep your skimmer, you could go with the CW-50. If you wanted to go skimmer less, we would recommend going to the CW-100

@Reefahholic 2 жыл бұрын

Is Chris still running the ATS?

@leo11877 4 жыл бұрын

Can they do a video on how they feed their corals?

@Reefscom 4 жыл бұрын

Leo I will see what I can do. :)

@simmo56able 4 жыл бұрын

Where can we get the Clear Water scrubbers in Australia?

@Reefscom 4 жыл бұрын

Good question. Let me ask around for you.

@Alex_Correa 3 жыл бұрын

The changes on the colors of algae are actually the growth of different species of algae, according to the P:N ratio

@miltonenglish1679 4 жыл бұрын

Are scrubbers better that a fuge with macro algae or are they equivalent in terms of removing nitrates?

@Reefscom 4 жыл бұрын

In my humble opinion, they are far more superior.

@miltonenglish1679 4 жыл бұрын

@@Reefscom so should i be thinking about replacing my fuge with macroalgae for a scrubber?

@Reefscom 4 жыл бұрын

@@miltonenglish1679 if the fuge is working for you as in helping you control your nutrient then no. If your fuge isn't enough to control the nutrients in your system, then sure.

@miltonenglish1679 4 жыл бұрын

@@Reefscom My algae is growing well. Can one use both scrubber and fuge?

@Reefscom 4 жыл бұрын

@@miltonenglish1679 you sure can. Although growth on your fuge will be halted by bug increments once turf scrubber takes off.

@nicholastootill906 4 жыл бұрын

Question for Josh. I have one of your scrubbers from a client's tank. The seams create a lot of salt creep. Is this a normal?

@clearwaterscrubbers7589 4 жыл бұрын

Nicholas Tootill do you you know how old the scrubber is?

@nicholastootill906 4 жыл бұрын

@@clearwaterscrubbers7589 Its around 1.5 years. Only running about 6 months.

@clearwaterscrubbers7589 4 жыл бұрын

The seams shouldn’t be having salt creep unless there is a pinhole leak. Have you seen any water leaking from the box?

@nicholastootill906 4 жыл бұрын

@@clearwaterscrubbers7589 No, not at all. I just removed the unit from the system and fully cleaned it with freshwater, then reinstalled it. After a few weeks it's got salt creep again. This is my 1st experience with the unit. That's why I wanted to reach out. I was wondering it the seams could be re-sealed. I had not known that the unit was so new until today, when I asked my client.

@Reefscom 4 жыл бұрын

@@clearwaterscrubbers7589 Josh what do you think about the splash from the screen? I had minor creep until I used your new clip.

@marcelrodriguez2067 3 жыл бұрын

Whats the difference between a scrubber and having a hood old fashion refugium?

@Reefscom 3 жыл бұрын

In my opinion, scrubber is fuge on steroids. In the formula made by Randy Holmes Farley, you remove so much more phosphates via scrubber because you get so much more mass of algae.

@ProducerReef 4 жыл бұрын

Please more vids like this Now I want one just because I got a real explanation of how the scrubbers work. Thanks What size do you have, Richard? I have an Elos 160 with a 30g sump. What size do you recommend?

@clearwaterscrubbers7589 4 жыл бұрын

Producer Reef you want to go with the CW-100 for your system

@Reefscom 4 жыл бұрын

Producer Reef ohhhh Elos tank! You got a dream tank! I have their 200 series scrubber. I have asked the owner of the scrubber company to come here to give you some suggestions on the size. :)

@multanemo 4 жыл бұрын

The Surf 4 from Santa Monica filtration will be more than enough. I have an elos 160 with 16 fish, including five tangs.

@multanemo 4 жыл бұрын

Best part is you just plop it in the sump and it floats there. No headaches with regard to install like Clearwater. I have a smaller Santa Monica HOG scrubber on my Reefer 250.

@clearwaterscrubbers7589 4 жыл бұрын

Michael Lee a waterfall scrubber is still more efficient at removal than floating bubblers. Plus you will have noise from the air pump and bubbles. The lamps he uses are not sealed and can short out on those surfs.

@scotttang6229 2 жыл бұрын

Why is no one copying Turbo Aquatics design? Or create something similar or better. The Clear water design is what we came up with in the early 2000s. It's time we have more options in the market.

@Reefscom 2 жыл бұрын

Waterfall scrubber design was first created by Walter Adeys in Smithtonian in the mid to late 70s. Countless companies have had their own version of it because it's effective and easy to replicate. If you like turbo's design, why not support the company and get their scrubber? Bud makes excellent product and I highly recommend him. 4squared is great company as well with a different twist on the scrubber game. There are good companies out there already. Why not any more? Because it has to make financial sense and balance to the consumers(good, acceptable price range) as well as the manufacturers, distributors and retailers (profit margins). Happy reefing!

@scotttang6229 2 жыл бұрын

I have the TA’s scrubber and it’s the best imo. Been using some version of the scrubber ever since Santa Monica introduced his many years ego. The water fall design isn’t new. And skimming isn’t new either, but why are we keep getting new skimmers in the market every year? Would be nice to have something similar if not better than the TA design. How about more color option? Also, I’m totally dependent on Bud for replacement parts. What if he decided to not manufacture his design anymore? What options do I have? Where can I find replacement parts? More options from some of the big names in the market would be nice. And ATS works. We don’t need skimmers. That’s a proven fact. We can run our tanks with just the ATS.

@kafkamatt 3 жыл бұрын

Wouldn't a refugium in your sump with macro algae do more or less the same thing?

@Reefscom 3 жыл бұрын

Similar but turf algae is much more aggressive form of algae that intakes in much more nutrients then any other macro algae that we utilize in the hobby. By having the scrubber not only saves the often necessary precious space in the sump area but also contains all the gunk in the reactor and not all over the sump. Both way works. This is just another way to do it for people who doesn't have extra space in the sump area and who needs aggressive nutrient control. :)

@kafkamatt 3 жыл бұрын

@@Reefscom that makes sense! Space can be an issue, will definitely be looking into it for the future. Thank you!

@Reefscom 3 жыл бұрын

@@kafkamatt you are very welcome! Please feel free to ask any questions if you run into any. Happy reefing!

@chinsangs 4 жыл бұрын

How is an algae scrubber different than a refugium?

@rudra7615 4 жыл бұрын

Refugium grows algae like chaeto to absorb excess nutrients and compete with algae like green hair. Cheato becomes dominant so green hair algae doesn't, and helps to absorb phosphates etc A scrubber concentrates the light in a scrubber spot, so algae grows there. I don't think you need to put things like chaeto, green hair algae would grow on the scrubber and you just scrap it off. This way, you don't need Cheato or a big refugium, it's just a small scrubber.

@clearwaterscrubbers7589 4 жыл бұрын

They both do nutrient removal. The difference is that the scrubber requires a much smaller area to remove the same amount as a fuge would do. The scrubber will also remove more than the fuge will... IE ammonia, heavy metals. A scrubber will also grow in a cooper system where any other macro will die off. It will still provide an area for your pods to reproduce and feed as they use the hair algae as a food source.