The very first
issue of Aquarium Frontiers (Fall, 1993) began with
a feature article by Julian Sprung entitled A Review Of
Algal Filtration: History & Future. That was over
10-years ago - 1991 to be exact. It was a time when most reef
aquarists opposed Dr. Adey's ATStm (algal turf
scrubber) filtration system. Much of Adey's material on this
topic is elucidated in his book Dynamic Aquaria - Building
Living Ecosystems. The advocates of the so-called Berlin
system (bare bottomed tanks, protein skimming, and activated
carbon) were, to say the least, scornful of the ATStm
system. That was then.
During the last
10-years the Berlin system underwent a gradual evolution,
an evolution that brought it more in line with the ATStm
system than many realized. The introduction of sand beds -
many quite deep --, along with refugiums and miracle mud sought
to accomplish what ATStm systems were particularly
well suited for. That is, a way to consume excess nutrients
produced by the larger and larger fish biomass that reef keepers
where housing in their reef tanks. It is now realized that
in a real sense protein skimmers are algal scrubbers - they
export significant quantities of phytoplankton. The bottom
line is still the same, to balance the production of waste
by the producers (primarily fish) and the consumption of said
waste by consumers. It is here that the ATStm system
really shines. This is a truth that was brought home to me,
as I pointed out in last month's editorial, by my visit to
Morgan Lidster's Inland Aquatics -- http://www.inlandaquatics.com/.
Proud
sponsor of this column
Here are some
notes by Morgan from a talk he gave in the past:
"I would like
to point out that I represent Aquatic Technologies, Inc.,
better known as Inland Aquatics. 'Though these companies
have yet to prove profitable, they are For Profit enterprises.
Make no mistake about it…. I am biased! Truth be told,
it is arguably more accurate to describe Inland Aquatics
as a representative of me. Inland is a public window into
the last five years of my life. Presenting myself as anything
but intimately connected to it would be dishonest. Nevertheless,
as you learn more about Inland Aquatics, I am confident
you will agree that I'm actually "pitching" a sustainable
future for OUR hobby.
It's important
to note that, except when I state otherwise, I am speaking
of true Algal Turf Scrubbers (ATSä), as developed by
Dr. Walter Adey of the Smithsonian's Marine Systems Laboratory.
True ATS scrubbersä are specifically designed to maximize
the sustainable growth of algal turfs, the most efficient
algal community known, while minimizing maintenance. ATS
scrubbersäshould not be confused with other types of
algal filters, many of which are confusingly marketed as
"Algae Scrubbers." The patented dump bucket makes it possible
to maintain the turfs.....the turfs do the "scrubbing".
Undoubtedly,
many of you are familiar with the controversy that arose
in FAMA magazine in 1994, just after the release of Dr.
Adey's book, Dynamic Aquaria While I don't
want to rehash that here, it should be obvious by the end
of the evening that many of the endlessly repeated criticisms
of ATSäsystems have proven to be unfounded. (By the
way Dynamic Aquaria volume 2 was released at MACNA X last
week. It features many of the systems from our facility.
Check it out.)
Inland Aquatics
has designed, built and operated ATScrubbers on commercial
mariculture systems, retail showroom systems, and residential
(40 to 400 gallon aquaria) systems for approximately five
years. Based on our experience with commercial mariculture
systems, we designed ATStm scrubbers for hobby
scale usage. Though they have yet to be mass marketed, we
have been selling residential size systems to aquarium hobbyists
since mid 1997.
Total gallons
of ATScrubber-driven systems maintained, by Inland Aquatics,
under this paradigm is approximately 45,000 gallons. Some
of our original systems have been combined into larger systems,
but our showroom houses systems over 4 years old. ATStm
scrubbers are the only filters on all our systems, unless
you count the sediment trapping refugia. While we recommend
at a 5% -10% annual water changes, the water in these display
systems has yet to be changed. Nevertheless, we are pleased
to compare it to any conventional, high maintenance system,
regarding appearance, biodiversity, and overall success!
The following
is a brief summary of the benefits I have witnessed with
ATS filtration:
The benefits
of true Algal Turf Scrubbing include the effective regulation
of oxygen, pH, and nutrient cycling, as well as surge simulation.
Other benefits include the following:
Stabilization
of pH and oxygen (at super-saturation) levels, leading
to:
Elimination
of typical "dark tank" pH swings
Increased
fish health and minimization of stress
Minimization
of circulation requisite to facilitate coral respiration
and metabolic exchange
Freedom to
FEED a captive reef system without increasing the need
for water changes/maintenance
Our systems
are fed HEAVILY, 3-6 times daily; allowing planktivores
such as Anthias, Chrimis and Sleeper Gobies
to flourish.
Reefs with
large fish populations are awesome, especially when the
fish are healthy, robust, and spawning as they would in
their natural environment.
Simulation
of natural wave motion via the dump bucket
This is very
aesthetically appealing
We feel this
may be a contributing factor to overall coral health and
our success with Goniopora sp.
ATS scrubbed
systems serve as hospital systems for most LPS corals
We've seen
examples of Fungia, Turbinaria, Goniopora, Lobophyllia,
Wellsophyllia,and Favia, which were exceptionally
damaged when introduced to the system and recovered fully;
quickly in many cases.
Traditional
cycling isn't necessary. ATStm scrubber screens
make it possible to establish healthy, heavily loaded
and fed, reefs in a day or two!!
ATS filters
are inexpensive and much easier to maintain, especially
on larger systems
Minimization
of water changes (10%/year) provides substantial long
term savings.
ATS scrubbers
eliminate the need for multiple filtering and maintenance
systems.
The ATStm
scrubber readily handles nutrient spikes caused by dead
fish, overfeeding, etc. Moreover, unlike any other filter,
it can actually been run "overtime".
Supersaturation
of oxygen allows for maximum system downtime (power outages,
for example)
ATStm
scrubbers will remove nitrates, phosphates, heavy metals,
silicate and even hydrocarbons on closed systems
Increased
biodiversity due to the ability to feed heavily and the
absence of skimmers, mechanical and chemical filters or
multiple power heads.
The majority
of our ATS systems are designed to turn the system volume
over a mere 1.5-4 times per hour. Oxygen at super saturation
seem to make a big difference.
There is
no loss of plankton or microfauna due to the operation
of the ATS filter
Though we
discourage it, amphipods and other microcrustaceans proliferate
in the ATS itself and are occasionally dumped into the
system, providing Anthias, Convict Blennies, Seahorses,
and other finicky feeders with live food
Many fish
that require live foods flourish in these systems, including
parasite eaters
Proud
sponsor of this column
Talk's cheap!
I'm sure you're wondering, "why", if ATS scrubbers
are so great, "have I read so many negative opinions about
Algal Turf Scrubbing".... I'm going to touch on the three
main reasons, as I'm sure I'll get asked about this later.
1) All "scrubbers"
are not created equally! Although there are benefits
to any photosynthetic filtration process, only true ATStm
scrubbers are designed to utilize the incredible power of
algal turfs. Turfs are 10 to 100 times as effective as macroalgaes.
Only filters with true algal turfs are truly scrubbers.
2) These
systems are different! Many have failed simply due to
miscommunication of the Dynamic Aquaria paradigm.
ATS microcosms work incredibly well, but only if one allows
them to! The success of Dr. Adey's personal systems, hundreds
of ATStm scrubber owners, and Inland's 40,000
+ gallons of thriving captive reef illustrate the incredible
potential of this difference. Accounts of frustrated professional
aquarists, on the other hand, illustrate the gravity of
that difference.
3) Misinformation!!!
Ninety percent of the articles/books published, and online
services about "scrubbers" have been written by authors
with little or no experience with these systems. One of
the most striking illustrations of this is a FAMA article
describing algae scrubbers as "mechanical filters that remove
algae from the water or magnets used to scrape the glass".
Another favorite, entitled "The Difference Between Algae
Filters and Algae Scrubbers" concluded with the author mentioning
that he had no idea what an algae filter is..... Even venerable
authors appear content to echo hackneyed critiques, without
investigation
Like we always
say……
DON'T TAKE OUR
WORD FOR IT….COME AND SEE FOR YOURSELF!"
These are some
photos I recently took at Inland Aquatics. Note the photo
of an a Atlantic Blue surgeonfish. This surgeonfish is especially
difficult to keep in captivity - I was especially impressed
by the health of this specimen in one of Inland Aquatic's
ATStm tanks.
