Chaeto Algae, why?

Catchemall · Jul 19, 2016

E_Aquatics said:
For anyone thinking of getting a light for growing chaeto do yourself a favor and get a Mars Hydro 300. You will thank me later. This thing grows chaeto like there's no tomorrow.

Yea this light must be the deal I've saw all good reviews on it.

E_Aquatics · Jul 19, 2016

Catchemall said:
Yea this light must be the deal I've saw all good reviews on it.

I've had great success with it

mibwb · Jul 20, 2016

Frop said:
Do you think this light is strong enough? my refugium area is tiny (7"x7"x8") and probably the light would be 8" away from the water or more idk. Depends on the mounting.

I used the same light on a 5 gallon bucket and the chaeto grew really well. Didn't just want to throw out the extra..

Jorden Watkins · Jul 20, 2016

[QUOTE="E_Aquatics said:
For anyone thinking of getting a light for growing chaeto do yourself a favor and get a Mars Hydro 300. You will thank me later. This thing grows chaeto like there's no tomorrow.

wow that's a big pile of chaeto! What size is your display?

36boo · Jul 21, 2016

Jorden Watkins said:
I have a few orange ones lol..what side of the tank?

Center left on top of rocks

E_Aquatics · Jul 21, 2016

Jorden Watkins said:
wow that's a big pile of chaeto! What size is your display?

300g

Frop · Jul 21, 2016

E_Aquatics said:
300g

Dang...

aquablizz · Jul 22, 2016

I can't get Cheato to grow to save my life... I'm using a LED spot light 14Watt in my fugee which is 16x16x10 deep. Light is 5000K. I started with a softball size piece and 6 months later it is still only a softball size piece.. At least it's still green.... Any idea's out there??

blizz

peterj66 · Jul 22, 2016

Not enough nutrients maybe. Mine stopped growing when iron ran low. It also changed from green to yellow/green. I've heard that low iodine can also limit growth.

themcnertney · Jul 22, 2016

revhtree said:
One of the cheapest and easiest lights is a clip on shop like light you get from the local hardware store like this. I used a flood light in mine at it grew like crazy!

I have the same setup. Does the job.

zoomonster · Jul 22, 2016

Frop said:
Do you think this light is strong enough? my refugium area is tiny (7"x7"x8") and probably the light would be 8" away from the water or more idk. Depends on the mounting.

That light is junk. I bought one a while back. Smaller than it looks and not enough to light a 5g tank. Get a $10 clamp on, gooseneck light (with plastic hood) from Lowes and grab some Philips 6500k compact CFL bulbs. Grows chaeto like weeds and with CFL near energy efficient as LED.

Catchemall · Oct 5, 2016

I can now vouch for this light as well best $79 bucks you'll spend for sure. This is one weeks growth also have a brs GFO running too which will stop soon. I also should add a review to this I was using a wavepoint 12" 6500k led and it never grew no matter how long I ran it or how close it was to the chaeto. The new light is a lot stronger and many more watts. . Full spectrum grow light.

Joey waid · Oct 5, 2016

I got a led grow light off of amazon for 11.00. It works great. It's shaped like a old school flood light and fits into a standard light socket..

aquablizz · Oct 7, 2016

should the cheato be floating and close to the light source?? I have mine anchored to the bottom with a piece of rock and it just will not grow... I put in some Caulerpa an it's growing very quickly ... No leaves but thousands of grapelike growth... is that normal??

saltyfilmfolks · Oct 7, 2016

aquablizz said:
should the cheato be floating and close to the light source?? I have mine anchored to the bottom with a piece of rock and it just will not grow... I put in some Caulerpa an it's growing very quickly ... No leaves but thousands of grapelike growth... is that normal??

yes normal. ime the caulerpa will grow with very little flow. the chato prefers to have better flow. ont knowing what light you have I couldn't tell you if its enough light.