NPS tank with only ATS filtration?

Ive been researching azoox.org, and algaescrubber.net alot for this project. Im getting the impression from successful NPS keepers that smaller tanks are better? Less volume of water to change? For example 55 gal or less? Any thoughts on that? It seems alot of people attempting this type of project run ATS, heavy CUC, and skimmers. I dont run skimmers on any of my tanks so I

 

dont see the advantage of it in this respect as suspended food is desired here. Any thoughts on this?

 

Actually algae scrubbers are very efficient at removing ammonia.

 

Sure make me do my homework.

Cut to the case, a medium for bacteria?

 

All sources say the algae absorbs the ammonia. Googled "Algae Turf Scrubber removing ammonia" just WOW, there is a ton of information.

Sorry for the hi-jack, I would like to know why algae would absorb ammonia. Found it, just a eventual source of nitrogen.

http://marineplantbook.com/marinebookpage10.htm

 

So with that information in hand-DOCs which are one of the initial sources of ammonia (that and animal waste), DOC instigates the Nitrogen Cycle. The DOC decompose to ammonia then oxidize to nitrite and eventually nitrate. Phosphates being one of the building blocks of life are also accumulated. So with an ATS, the algae that the scrubber is growing are using Nitrates and Phosphates to grow. Now to my understanding protein skimming is attempting to remove the DOC before it decomposes and forms ammonia, but does not do a noticable job of removing ammonia or nitrates itself. So if I have a ATS capable of handleing the DOC load then protein skimming could be eliminated. In a true NPS only tank the corals are required to have a continuious source of suspended fine food. This food would be skimmed-kind of pointless. Also, the strong aeration of the water by the ATS filter would aid in keeping the pH up which aids in keeping phospate reseviors in LR and DSB from releasing into the water. Hence the need to keep pH around 8.4. Correct me if Im wrong. But this is why im wondering if a skimmer is needed.

 

That was my way long way of theorizing...if I could match the nitrate/phosphate removal with DOC induction, using a DSB/Live rock (for Nitrifying bacteria), an ATS for actual removal of phosphate and Nitrate, would this eliminate the need for additional equipment.

 

Live rock, an algae scrubber and water changes are all that you need. I have run a few tanks with nothing but an algae scrubber. The key in this case is to have multiple algae scrubber that are all cleaned at different times. It will absorb all the waste necessary and leave food in the tank.

Where it fails is if you clean all the screens at once and you leave your tank with no filtration till the screen fills back up with green. (personally I much prefer using an algae scrubber to mop up excess rather than as my sole filtration)

 

Ok, im planning on using two redundant ATS... and scraping at different intervals as to maintain filtration. Then just relying on LR, and DSB for biological filtration. Thanks for the info everybody!

 

My next question that may arise some debate is which is a better system to employ- horizontal ATS or a vertical (waterfall) ATS? I was planning on using two waterfall ATS for the sake of saving space. However, if people have experience with either hozirontal or waterfall I would sure appreciate some insight! Thanks again in advance.