Can't Grow Chaeto

Jmunk · Aug 11, 2021

First time refugium user since I moved houses and now have the "new" tank, but just can't grow anything in the fuge. I tried one cluster from algaebarn in the beginning that just over time kinda disintegrated. Figured (although PO4 is near 1 now and Nitrate is around 25), the tank was too "new". So now about 4-5 months later, with those nutrient numbers, I got another batch from algaebarn. This one came with sea lettuce and another macro - once again I feel like it's just starting to wither away.

Here's the light I'm using. Running 17 hours a day, inverse of tank lights. I don't have a powerhead in the sump, and instinctively I feel like it's not getting enough flow since it's stagnant, but a lot of people on the forums here are saying they grow great chaeto without any powerhead or movement, so I'm not sure. Ayy advice?

Spare time · Aug 11, 2021

Does it end up "crispy"?

Jmunk · Aug 12, 2021

Spare time said:
Does it end up "crispy"?

Kinda, I would say so. It becomes very stringy and not very thick at all.

WheatToast · Aug 12, 2021

Phosphate and Nitrate cannot grow macroalgae alone. Like plants, they require countless other trace elements (such as iron).
Look into this.
Find more information here.

Spare time · Aug 12, 2021

Jmunk said:
Kinda, I would say so. It becomes very stringy and not very thick at all.

If it becomes crispy and falls apart , that may be too much light (too intense)

bpbonds · Aug 12, 2021

I would back the light down, and slowly ramp up based on growth it could be too much light! I started mine at 5 hours and ramp it up as I see more growth.

jeffchapok · Aug 12, 2021

I had that exact same light, and my chaeto growth was just "okay". The light eventually died and I replaced it with this one. The difference has been tremendous! I am now pulling out huge batches of chaeto every 1 or 2 weeks and throwing it away. I also grow red dragon's breath and its growth has multiplied as well.

I do have a 660 gph wavemaker in the fuge. I also ran both lights 24x7, so I don't think too little light is your problem.

Jmunk · Aug 12, 2021

jeffchapok said:
I had that exact same light, and my chaeto growth was just "okay". The light eventually died and I replaced it with this one. The difference has been tremendous! I am now pulling out huge batches of chaeto every 1 or 2 weeks and throwing it away. I also grow red dragon's breath and its growth has multiplied as well.

I do have a 660 gph wavemaker in the fuge. I also ran both lights 24x7, so I don't think too little light is your problem.

Yeah, I was always kind of skeptical at how effective that light I got was. I also am hesitant to say it's the light or too intense as I posted a while ago before when I was running it around 7 hours, and everyone told me it needs more light.

Cool tangs · Aug 12, 2021

Cheato hmm, its great when it works. I had this same issue.

I upgrades my lights to the plant growing vipraspectra and noticed better growth. I also carbon dosed. It wasnt until about the 1 month mark that I noticed awesome growth from my cheato and now my nutrients have bottemed out. It was mostly once i got my nitrates down with carbon dosing it really starting to take off.

I dont know enough about this plant to give any proper explanation. This is what worked for me and i had same problem. Kept dieing

Pistondog · Aug 12, 2021

My fuge has live rock to within 2 inches of surface, blanket of chaeto on top. Chaeto doubles every month.
Your light and other nutrients are fine. Flow is not important. Par is important.

Cool tangs · Aug 12, 2021

Pistondog said:
My fuge has live rock to within 2 inches of surface, blanket of chaeto on top. Chaeto doubles every month.
Your light and other nutrients are fine. Flow is not important. Par is important.

Speaking of par, my cheato get about 600-800 par if this also helps the user

Jmunk · Aug 12, 2021

Pistondog said:
My fuge has live rock to within 2 inches of surface, blanket of chaeto on top. Chaeto doubles every month.
Your light and other nutrients are fine. Flow is not important. Par is important.

So what do you suggest I do to improve growth?

Pistondog · Aug 12, 2021

Jmunk said:
So what do you suggest I do to improve growth?

Improve par, raise the chaeto to the surface with egg crate or something else.
In the pic, it looks to be at the bottom of the tank.

Explorer12 · Aug 12, 2021

Jmunk said:
First time refugium user since I moved houses and now have the "new" tank, but just can't grow anything in the fuge. I tried one cluster from algaebarn in the beginning that just over time kinda disintegrated. Figured (although PO4 is near 1 now and Nitrate is around 25), the tank was too "new". So now about 4-5 months later, with those nutrient numbers, I got another batch from algaebarn. This one came with sea lettuce and another macro - once again I feel like it's just starting to wither away.

Here's the light I'm using. Running 17 hours a day, inverse of tank lights. I don't have a powerhead in the sump, and instinctively I feel like it's not getting enough flow since it's stagnant, but a lot of people on the forums here are saying they grow great chaeto without any powerhead or movement, so I'm not sure. Ayy advice?

I mixed my Chaeto with floating bio balls (like plastic) and it helps keep the macro together.