Absolute minimum light period to keep chaeto alive?

[rennjidk]

My fuge is working TOO well. I’m setting at 0.0 on the Hanna HR Nitrate. I’ve been running 4 hours a night opposite my display. If I turn it off for a night, I read 2.0 Nitrate. I tried it at 1 hour and even that sucked up everything. Can I only light it every other night for a few hours? Can chaeto go sub 1 hour a day and survive?

 

[mdb_talon]

Longterm no. I think better route is trim down how much cheato is in there. Down to golfball size if you have to. Or feed more.

 

[Beau_B]

I had some survive in 5gal bucket at <65F with only ambient/indirect sun light and no flow for over 6mo. Was pulled from my sump and left in the basement for no real purpose, just kind of forgot about it — evaporated to some unknown high salinity too. It died back (dissolved?) a fair amount (reduced size) but ultimately there was enough left that it “lived” and could be brought back.

Based on that I think it’s possible to reduce the light period significantly.

 

[Lavey29]

I honestly don't think just the fuge is stripping your nitrates. I run mine 12 hours and the chaeto grows huge but nitrates stay at 10. There are simple methods to raise nitrates like feeding more or dosing neonitro. Your fuge is a natural key component of your system.

 

[AlgaeBarn]

My fuge is working TOO well. I’m setting at 0.0 on the Hanna HR Nitrate. I’ve been running 4 hours a night opposite my display. If I turn it off for a night, I read 2.0 Nitrate. I tried it at 1 hour and even that sucked up everything. Can I only light it every other night for a few hours? Can chaeto go sub 1 hour a day and survive?

How much chaeto do you have in your refugium? As others have stated likely thinning it out/ pruning it more regularly and/or increase feeding would be a better option.

 

[rennjidk]

How much chaeto do you have in your refugium? As others have stated likely thinning it out/ pruning it more regularly and/or increase feeding would be a better option.

Not a ton. Its a 13g AIO so what ever grows in the back middle chamber. maybe a 2"x3" square about 6" tall. I take half of it out every 2 weeks.

 

[AlgaeBarn]

Not a ton. Its a 13g AIO so what ever grows in the back middle chamber. maybe a 2"x3" square about 6" tall. I take half of it out every 2 weeks.

I think instead of messing with your lights initially I would see what the nitrate consumption rate looks like if you trim it back weekly vs every 2 weeks

 

[CrashTestBennie]

I had some survive in 5gal bucket at <65F with only ambient/indirect sun light and no flow for over 6mo. Was pulled from my sump and left in the basement for no real purpose, just kind of forgot about it — evaporated to some unknown high salinity too. It died back (dissolved?) a fair amount (reduced size) but ultimately there was enough left that it “lived” and could be brought back.

Based on that I think it’s possible to reduce the light period significantly.

That's wildAF!

 

[CrashTestBennie]

I think instead of messing with your lights initially I would see what the nitrate consumption rate looks like if you trim it back weekly vs every 2 weeks

This is great knowledge, as I am dealing with the same problem...

Thank you!