Chaeto Reactors compared to Algae Scrubbers

[SantaMonica]

With more people wanting to use natural filtration for their tanks, we are going to look at the two main types of units that you can put on your system: Chaeto reactors (or "algae reactors") and algae turf scrubbers (ATS), especially as they pertain to freshwater.

We won’t be looking at refugiums however (yes they are for FW also), since those have mostly a different purpose. This will be a multi-part post; the next post will start with the basics, so if you’d like anything in particular to be covered, let us know.

 

[Angelphish]

J jaws7777 kno4te tarheel96 Tomt37 markstrimaran
Assembling the nitrate freaks.

 

[SantaMonica]

Let the freaks come out at night

 

[Jhay3513]

With more people wanting to use natural filtration for their tanks, we are going to look at the two main types of units that you can put on your system: Chaeto reactors (or "algae reactors") and algae turf scrubbers (ATS), especially as they pertain to freshwater.

We won’t be looking at refugiums however (yes they are for FW also), since those have mostly a different purpose. This will be a multi-part post; the next post will start with the basics, so if you’d like anything in particular to be covered, let us know.

I was thinking about doing an algae reactor and putting java moss in it but couldn't find much details about how much of a nitrate sponge java moss really is

 

[SantaMonica]

That would be interesting. The sponge effect is simply how fast it grows. You could try it.

 

[Hendre]

I'd say actual algae is better, grows faster too

 

[Jhay3513]

I'd say actual algae is better, grows faster too

What type of algae could you grow in a reactor that would be comparable to chaeto

 

[kno4te]

Algae turf scrubbers seem to do better than chaeto or similar reactors. For both fresh and salt systems from people I've spoken with.

 

[Jhay3513]

Im thinking about setting up a refuge in my sump with a Tupperware tub with planted tank substrate in it.

 

[Hendre]

What type of algae could you grow in a reactor that would be comparable to chaeto

Well it grows a lot of green algae.

I don't know much about chaeto but I know that scrubbers can work very well