I have used the Santa-Monica algae scrubbers for many years and I am very pleased.
This place makes several types. The types I’ve used are the Surf, HOGs, and Drops. My first usage was for my 6 discus tanks years ago since they needed real real clean water. These algae scrubbers grow algae in a container depending on the type and, in so doing, remove nitrates and phosphates from the tank water. When one cleans the scrubber out, he or she is effectively removing nitrates etc as the algae used the nitrates to grow.
I’m gonna say upfront that these scrubbers are not cheap, but cheap is not what I want…..quality is. I have never had a faulty unit, problem with a unit, or had one fail. Recently I had to replace the 5 units I accidentally tossed out.
That was a costly mistake.
There are those who say these are for only salt water. While most units are, in fact, sold for marine tanks, they work grrreat with fresh water tanks.
******Please keep in mind that I am recommending these scrubbers and putting my name on the line and I wouldn’t do so if either they didn’t work to reduce tank algae/nitrates or were poorly made.******
The units come super well packed, are complete with very detailed directions, and if you have questions, there is an actual phone number to call and speak with an actual person who knows what they’re talking about. And, I might add that calls to this number long after a purchase are handled with patience and an effort to help your issue even though the purchase was back a ways.
The number is 1-801-502-3009. Their website link is https://www.santa-monica.cc
Their email is info@santa-monica.cc
They are now located in Utah.
The above pic is from my Surf (floating) scrubber in my mini sump of my 75g tank. Sorry about the redness…..I should have moved the LED lights further away when taking pic.
This is the algae build up in one half of my huge Surf 8 unit in my basement koi pond.
Each 14-21 days, I empty out the Surf 8 and get abpout 2 cups of algae to toss. This represents quite a bit of algae growth using tank/pond water nutrients (nitrates and phosphates) to do so.
Btw… I do still perform 40-50% WCs. The purpose of these is to augment my attempts at managing nitrates, not to replace WCs. I will say that these, my extra Biohome media in HOBs, not feeding heavily, and WCs do indeed keep my water pretty good for my 8 tanks.
This place makes several types. The types I’ve used are the Surf, HOGs, and Drops. My first usage was for my 6 discus tanks years ago since they needed real real clean water. These algae scrubbers grow algae in a container depending on the type and, in so doing, remove nitrates and phosphates from the tank water. When one cleans the scrubber out, he or she is effectively removing nitrates etc as the algae used the nitrates to grow.I’m gonna say upfront that these scrubbers are not cheap, but cheap is not what I want…..quality is. I have never had a faulty unit, problem with a unit, or had one fail. Recently I had to replace the 5 units I accidentally tossed out.
That was a costly mistake.There are those who say these are for only salt water. While most units are, in fact, sold for marine tanks, they work grrreat with fresh water tanks.
******Please keep in mind that I am recommending these scrubbers and putting my name on the line and I wouldn’t do so if either they didn’t work to reduce tank algae/nitrates or were poorly made.******
The units come super well packed, are complete with very detailed directions, and if you have questions, there is an actual phone number to call and speak with an actual person who knows what they’re talking about. And, I might add that calls to this number long after a purchase are handled with patience and an effort to help your issue even though the purchase was back a ways.
The number is 1-801-502-3009. Their website link is https://www.santa-monica.cc
Their email is info@santa-monica.cc
They are now located in Utah.
The above pic is from my Surf (floating) scrubber in my mini sump of my 75g tank. Sorry about the redness…..I should have moved the LED lights further away when taking pic.
This is the algae build up in one half of my huge Surf 8 unit in my basement koi pond.
Each 14-21 days, I empty out the Surf 8 and get abpout 2 cups of algae to toss. This represents quite a bit of algae growth using tank/pond water nutrients (nitrates and phosphates) to do so.
Btw… I do still perform 40-50% WCs. The purpose of these is to augment my attempts at managing nitrates, not to replace WCs. I will say that these, my extra Biohome media in HOBs, not feeding heavily, and WCs do indeed keep my water pretty good for my 8 tanks.
