Roller Mat vs. Algae Turf Scrubber

[ajtomase]

I'm looking to get either a roller filter, or an algae turf scrubber to help control phosphates and nitrates (don't want refugium, use GFO/Rowaphos, a bio pellet reactor, or NOPOX).

Who has a favorite that won't bottom out nutrients?

 

[Vivid Creative Aquatics]

I been use an ATS for years, and it works well enough. Never used roller matt, but In my mind, one is not mutually exclusive to the other. They in general serve slightly different purposes.

With that said I have not had an ATS bottom out nutrients, but I have had it bottom out trace, and not always in a balanced way. For the turf scrubber to remain effective, you will want to pay attention to the trace elements. that is unless you do pretty regular water changes

 

[evolved]

I also use an ATS, and I don't even need to harvest it but about once a month.
I've never been much of a fan of roller mats - it always seemed like too lazy of a process with too many "what could go wrong" variables. Plus, you've still got a rotting, dirty roll of filter to deal with at some point.
All those things said, I've always loved using mesh filter socks, which I wash once a week (but I can go 2 weeks if needed).
Testing? I mean, my Trident tracks the big 3 - that's it. Haven't tested anything else in years, but that's after having this system dialed in and running for a long time.

 

[ajtomase]

I been use an ATS for years, and it works well enough. Never used roller matt, but In my mind, one is not mutually exclusive to the other. They in general serve slightly different purposes.

With that said I have not had an ATS bottom out nutrients, but I have had it bottom out trace, and not always in a balanced way. For the turf scrubber to remain effective, you will want to pay attention to the trace elements. that is unless you do pretty regular water changes

I do regular ICP tests monthly, and on a modified-moonshiner method (dosing trace, but also doing occasion water changes).