Chaeto and carbon reactor

[ebeez]

Hi there,
I am currently running a carbon reactor and thinking of adding a chaeto reactor. Would running both be detrimental to the biochem of the tank? My Phosphate levels are around .12 on average

 

[[Cameron]]

Chaeto that is grown and harvested will generally help balance the chemistry of tank. It is also a great place for beneficial critters to live. Having an alternating light cycle keeps the ph more stable along with the additional removal of nitrates and phosphates. It also helps keep more aggressive unwanted algae from taking hold. There is virtually no downside to growing macro algae in a reef tank IMO. If you already have a well balanced tank, chaeto simply won't grow that fast.

I remember way back an expert on the subject at a convention session basically said if you introduce chaeto to an SPS tank and it grows like crazy, that is the prime indicator of an unbalanced tank and the tank needed a macro algae.

Just make sure you get "clean" chaeto. Chaeto can transfer any number of issues from its source tank.

 

[ebeez]

Chaeto that is grown and harvested will generally help balance the chemistry of tank. It is also a great place for beneficial critters to live. Having an alternating light cycle keeps the ph more stable along with the additional removal of nitrates and phosphates. It also helps keep more aggressive unwanted algae from taking hold. There is virtually no downside to growing macro algae in a reef tank IMO.

I remember way back an expert on the subject at a convention session basically said if you introduce chaeto to an SPS tank and it grows like crazy, that is the prime indicator of an unbalanced tank and the tank needed a macro algae.

Just make sure you get "clean" chaeto. Chaeto can transfer any number of issues from its source tank.

Thank you for the quick repsonse!