TxReefer21
Well-Known Member
Pros and cons between these obviously there’s differences between the two which ones more effective? What advantages do they have I’m trying to decide whether I do a filter roller or a algae scrubber
Reef filter roller or algae scrubber ?
- Thread starter TxReefer21
- Start date
- Tagged users None
TL1
Active Member
Caveat - I have never owned an algae scrubber.
Filter roller reduces maintenance, and you could argue that an algae scrubber will increase it.
Both will reduce nutrients. Filter roller will help stability of nutrients if you have poor habits surrounding filter sock cleaning.
Roller will add minimal cost to your monthly expenses to replace rolls.
Algae scrubber takes up a sizable footprint, whereas the roller does not.
Just a few thoughts off top.
Filter roller reduces maintenance, and you could argue that an algae scrubber will increase it.
Both will reduce nutrients. Filter roller will help stability of nutrients if you have poor habits surrounding filter sock cleaning.
Roller will add minimal cost to your monthly expenses to replace rolls.
Algae scrubber takes up a sizable footprint, whereas the roller does not.
Just a few thoughts off top.
OP
OP
TxReefer21
Well-Known Member
Do run filter roller with no socks? Obviously I would like to cut down on rinsing my filter socks but also keep my reef system happy and clear
Screwgunner
Valuable Member
Roller filter does not produce pods. Scrubber does ! Roller filter does not take out poison from your corals scubber does . You have to replace Roller filter . You clean algea off turf scubber. Once a week or every 2 weeks.
OP
OP
TxReefer21
Well-Known Member
Ultimately somewhere for my algae to grow elsewhere lol instead of my over flow chamber I don’t have any algae issues on my sand or on my rock. I think everything for the most parts is happy and healthy and growing. I don’t test or chase numbers but if there’s a way to eliminate that growth I will and keep my water pristine. I plan on redoing this sump The skimmer that im currently using is not great. So it’s not in use right now
Attachments
Screwgunner
Valuable Member
You don't need a skimmer with algea scubber. But I run mine any way.
OP
OP
TxReefer21
Well-Known Member
Yeah I did hear about that and watched a video too.
OP
OP
TxReefer21
Well-Known Member
this is what I’m looking into getting
Screwgunner
Valuable Member
Opps
Screwgunner
Valuable Member
I just seen a roller mat algea turf scubber they are 500 plus
. Very cool
. Very cool
Screwgunner
Valuable Member
Introducing our 2 in 1 Filter Roller / Algae Scrubber
Official Site YouTube Video Please note that this product is made-to-order currently. We plan to order bulk production later in 2022. Each device is machined and hand-assembled in Florida. Allow 4 weeks for production. This is our patent pending 2 in 1 algae scrubber / auto filter...
www.reef2reef.com
Screwgunner
Valuable Member
I have black plastic over my overflows so light can not get in. Not that it matters . I am r uning algea turf scrubber. 1 year and 3 months.
Screwgunner
Valuable Member
I will never run a reef tank with out a ats (.)
CoralB
5000 Club Member
They have separate purposes !! , the roller Matt is mechanical filtration and the algae scrubber is nutrient exportation . I’ve never felt the need for a roller Matt , to me it’s another invention to sell you replacements . Socks and or filter fiber works well and with the socks can be cleaned . The scrubber looks like too mech work to maintain but I here are effective at removing nitrates , phosphates to some degree but a refugium to me is more manageable if you have the room .
OP
OP
TxReefer21
Well-Known Member
It’s not difficult for me to pressure wash my filter socks. Takes me about 10 minutes to do multiple socks. However i like my water to be crystal clear as much as possible. I dose phytoplankton and pods I have a huge population in my tank my fish are constantly pecking at the walls and rock work I do have a cover placed over my over flow but what’s in there is now dead and I need to get around to cleaning it all out. I’m going to try an algae scrubber and continue to run this skimmer and see how things look. I can do more then just run filter socks and fritz max out lol
homegrowncichlid
Active Member
With a algae scrubber, it's possible to maintain zero nutrients. My algae just sucks it up as soon as it's produced and aside from trace elements, I don't really have to do any water changes. The algae scrubber also outcompetes algae in the display, since I have periotic "black outs", I do this every 2 or 3 months, when I notice some pest algae take hold in some tiny crack or crevices. The roller mat (or any other mechanical filtration) has no method of nutrient export, once it's in its elemental form, dissolved in water, and is therefore dependent on water changes. Yes mechanical filtration will physically "remove and discard" debris and waste, but while it's in there, the waste is constantly in a state of decomposition, and in theory, be impossible to prevent leaching into the water column. The roller does try to solve this by "rolling" the waste out continuously, though there is still "leach" time.
The algae scrubber's "leach" time would be.. I guess if I didn't harvest it and it starts to die out, but again, that's simply resolved by the next harvest.
The scrubber also has "down time" if all the algae was harvested at once, however I get around that by harvesting only half of the mass, and alternating between halves, twice as often, which for me is rather than once a week, but every 4 days.
Another bonus, I can feed as much food, as often as I want. I simply get a more luscious, thick algae growth of ulva, which I feed a portion back into the tank. I use an upflow algae scrubber, incorporated into my overflow.
The algae scrubber's "leach" time would be.. I guess if I didn't harvest it and it starts to die out, but again, that's simply resolved by the next harvest.
The scrubber also has "down time" if all the algae was harvested at once, however I get around that by harvesting only half of the mass, and alternating between halves, twice as often, which for me is rather than once a week, but every 4 days.
Another bonus, I can feed as much food, as often as I want. I simply get a more luscious, thick algae growth of ulva, which I feed a portion back into the tank. I use an upflow algae scrubber, incorporated into my overflow.
Last edited:
CoralB
5000 Club Member
High grade Carbon !
Similar threads
-
- Poll
