Chaeto Dying???

[R_C]

Hello everyone,
This is the first time that I am able to have a refugium with some chaeto in it. I have had it in there for about 2-3 week. Light is 6500k CFL bulb and it runs about 17 hrs a day from 11pm-4pm. I have notice that some of it is breaking up and stating to go over my baffle and when I pick it up from the sand there was a bunch of little broken pieces on the sand. Also there brown algae is growing in it.
Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[twilliard]

When it dies it turns white sounds like yours is acting normal but may need more rolling flow

 

[143MPCo]

From experience I can tell you that your cheato is probably suffering from a lack of nutrition and/or lack of a powerful enough light source with sufficient spread, in order to maximize on its growth potential. The brown algae you're seeing on top of it is more than likely dead and/or dying cyanobacteria or diatoms. Increasing your nitrate levels might help the cheato but only do this if you know your PO4 for levels are low to begin with.

 

[mfinn]

When it dies it turns white sounds like yours is acting normal but may need more rolling flow

Yeah, I agree.
I found that the chaeto in my sump did better with extra flow.

 

[R_C]

My PO4 levels have always been around 0.25 with the API test kit. I guess I have to dial back my GFO reactor a bit.

 

[twilliard]

.25 is a good standing point
Mine grows at .014 po4 and 5ppm no3
I use a 5600k led and an orbit marine strip on my fuge

 

[G8trBait16]

I use a Hydroponic 54W LED grow light and an Auqa Gadget MagnaFuge for my chaeto. I have 0 po4 and 0 no3 (per Hanna). I just add about 2ml of redsea iron supplement every day. Thanks for the tidbit though, I do have to get some more flow in my fuge also.