algae scrubber questions

I have a 55 gal tall octagonal acrylic tank. The end goal is to run a small reef and gain enough knowlege to move into a much larger (200+) setup. I am enamored with biological filtering, i.e. algae scrubber/macroalgae sump/a combo of both/all three. I do have questions about the proper depth of sand and amount of live rock for this purpose, as well as any discussion about the best way to setup my 'au natual' filtration. I don't plan on using any sort of skimer/canister/wet dry hardware, and any input about this method is very welcome.

Right now the tank is empty so my options are limitless. I have specific questions about the algae filtration methods, mostly things like the most beneficial combinations of scrubber/macro fuge/sump setups and the benefits of above-tank methods (letting all the good bugs drain gently into the tank from above, and where they actually exist in a system like this) or below decks filtration resulting in having to pump the filtered water and bugs all the way back up to the the tank.

Right now my main question is this, is it feasible to try to encorporate a turf scrubber above my tank with only about 6 inches of head room. This would mean having to run the turf scrubber at a very shallow angle, maybe a foot and a half wide, 6 to 12 inches long, and a decline angle of less than 20 degrees . My hope is that this above tank scrubber will ultimately result in a lot of 'pods flowing out of the algal filtration and through the water column for the corals and the like to feed on. Or does the water flowing out of a macroalgae refugion setup contain more of these critters...get where I'm coming from? The whole idea is to get the most bugs into the water column as possiblem isn't it?
Please let me know what you all think is best.

Thanks

 

Well, I've never run an ATS so I have no idea, but i know that despite being pumped from the sump into the tank, my pod population is REALLY high. I've always been a fan of a refugium and am kind of skeptical of the ATS as it used to be quite a fad and people moved on... why I have no idea, I wasn't there, but if you use the search engine on the site there was a HUGE thread about a DIY ATS and some of the pros and cons.

 

I might be invisioning this wrong but wouldn't a ats on top of tank block light out from rest of tank. Correct me if I am wrong

 

No, youre not wrong 10acre, I would have had to make concessions for that. Already decided to go undertank with it though, just not enough room.

I'm glad to hear that pumping the critters doesn't totally wipe them out, was concerned about that.

Read that thread and much much more. Thanks for the heads up though. Upon learning more about the whole process it looks like I'm gonna add some sort of carbon type filtering as well. I'm a complete dork about trying to figure out natural ways of maintaining water quality so I'll be shaking this tree for a long time to come. I'll probably end up building a frickin mini rain forest in my back yard and some sort of artificial moon device for realistic tides!

 

to bad gravity generaters don't exist.

 

The only thing I would question is your choice not to use a skimmer. A skimmer is essential IMO especially once you get over 100gal+.

 

You could try VERY big magnets

 

No the whole point is to grow algae to reduce nutrients that could adversely affect your system. If you just want bugs you can make a pod pile.

 

Thanks all for your inputs. I haven't completely ruled out a skimmer, just wanted to experiment with mother nature first. If things aren't looking good down the line I will have to re-evaluate my techniques. It would seem that I am going to have to run some sort of carbon filtration already...planning to start "as needed" and see how it goes from there.

As far as the pods go, I was just hoping to take advantage of a possible resource.

I'm very new to this hobby, and I do appreciate a good logical debate, so keep it coming even if you don't agree with this method (and I know there are many of you out there who do not). There is usually more to learn from differing opinions than just from like minded people.

On a lighter note, should be filling my tank this week and getting things under way.

By the wat Luna, I posted a couple pics of my tank on my thread in the General forum like you asked..."return water flow" is the title. If you get some time, please check it out and hit me with your take. Thanks all

 

Oops, that other post is in the Newbie forum. Return water flow suggestions. Would love some inputs from everyone. I just wanted know if I could benefit my system with some design or concept, since I have to start from scratch anyway.

Thanks again