Chaeto Dead ?

[David J]

So I made a cheato reactor. I was tuning it on for 12 hours ish at night when my lights were off. But it didn't seem to do much so I have been leaving it on 24/7. It looked like it was growing a bit, but now I've noticed almost like a film inside. Not sure if it died/dieing I got it sent to me from ebay.
Its been up 2 weeks or so. Nitrates are pretty low.
Should I take it out and clean out all the crap ?

 

[Crabs McJones]

I would shorten your photo period. Leaving it on 24/7 depletes your nutrients and the chaeto has nothing to consume so it dies off. I'd aim for somewhere around 8 to 10 hours opposite of your display lights and see if that helps and yes remove turn nasty stuff, itll potentially grow bad algae that will outcompete your chaeto

 

[David J]

yeah I have 2 corals coming tomorrow going to probably dip them and I'll maybe clean out my reactor and setup my timer.

 

[David J]

tank maintenance tomorrow or tonight. I'll post an update then.

 

[David J]

Ok so I cleaned it out today. Not much of a build up on the acrilic but some of the chaeto was slimy so I threw that out which I think had the algae growing on it. Also I bought it off ebay, Was 1 Cup, Really doesn't seem like it grew much in 2 weeks. If its dead does it turn color besides green ? Most of it was green some was almost clear.

 

[Poseidon03]

It is dead if it is white. I'd look up adding iron. I've heard it helps a lot.

 

[asw338]

Maybe add some ChaetoGro supplement would help. I add half of recommended dose daily and it really grow and deep healthy green.

 

[asw338]

Sufficient flow through the arid important as well and put some pre-filter foam to block some nasty go into arid to prevent any detritus build up inside.