Chaeto Disappeared

[Aaron1222]

So i am new to the refugium method of nutrient control so please don't blast me for my lack of knowledge lol. I recently set up my refugium and placed a football sized ball of Cheeto into it. after a week or so, i noticed some of the ends turning white. afterwards i left for vacation for 11 days, when i came back, not a trace of chaeto was left. can anybody explain what could have possibly happened?

 

[Om84]

What kind of light were you running on the refugium? How old is your reef? Parameters?

 

[Aaron1222]

What kind of light were you running on the refugium? How old is your reef? Parameters?

tank has been up for a year and a half, and i am using a neptune gro light, parameters are as follows

Alk: 10.6
Cal: 440
Mag: 1480
Ammonia: 0
Nitrate: 5
Phosphates: 0.05
PH: 8.1-8.3
Salt: 1.025
Temp: 78 F

I test Nitrates and Phosphates with hanna checkers, and always run 3 tests of each to provide as accurate results as possible

 

[floridareeflabs]

Hello, as always our 2 cents.

alk is a bit high for chaeto to be really happy (we recommend low to mid 9's), what is your ammonia? what is your lighting and your light schedule for chaeto?

Chaeto will starve if normal params are off like alk/cal/mag but mainly if it cant get its food source per phos/nitrates and Ammonia as well as it needs iron. Your system may have hit zero for too long and it couldnt rebound. While you were away was feeding occuring, any dosing as well?