Todd's ATS Build... some new pics

I did as well because it would start to shoot out a couple feet to the side.

 

Thanks for the advice on your ATS's

I felt the slot of one of my outlets for the plastic mesh was a bit too wide, so I dremeled another one.
I also added unions, so I can it easily. I also pipe doped/glued all the fittings- previously they were just pushed together.- Now I can ramp up more flow, 3 out of 6 on my DC1200 feeding the ATS!



I also moved some things around in my sump, like my ATO float, and my main Return pump.



This is a top/angled view. This shows about 2/3, or about 4 feet of the top of my sump.
In the foreground facing down are my Chaeto lights,
You can see a side view of the ATS with the unions installed.

 

Which lights are on the refugees

 

In the foreground facing down are my Chaeto lights,

 

It looks like a beast. I've been wanting to add one to my setup for year. Maybe I'll make my fuge section into one instead of the fuge since my chaeto won't grow. Did you t-off your return?

 

Todd,

I'm curious why you want this to replace your skimmer instead of supplement one another.

 

yes, I'm curious on that too

 

I'm using my Back up DC12000 pump to push it. Currently has about a 3ft head, on 3 out of 6 power.

Kevin and Mindy (OFK),
I read some pros and cons of taking the skimmer offline once the ATS is growing well.
I'm still on the fence about it, and if I do take it off line/shut it off, I can easily 'fire it up' again.
From what I"ve read about- like leaving more 'food' in the water column for the corals I I"ll give it a try- IF and when my ATS grows well.
As you may recall, I never feed any of my corals specifically anyways- only whats in the Water column.

The way I understand it, (which I hope is in the ballpark)
A skimmer manily pulls the DOC's out before it can breakdown to nitrates/phosphates, etc.
The ATS pulls all them out anyways, so the net result is lower N/P, and more water column food gets left in the column?
We'll see how it goes- as of 7 days, the algae is barely starting

Day 6 Growth- it used to be bright white

 

I simply and nearly free solved the splashing dilemma that 'spits' off the top out of the slot for my ATS!!
No building acrylic boxes, etc.

I brainstromed yet once again, and used a simple, cheap, easily renewable source-
Saran Wrap!
I put a strip on the top over the top tube, and it goes down a few inches on each side-
viola! no more side splash/spit at my lights!

 

Nicely done. cheap and renewable always a good thing.