Chaeto for a refugium!

[xmjxflipx]

Just sort of installed a refugium with lights/chaeto.........I have a nice fist size chaeto and i have a PM R24 refugium..........Is this a sufficient amount to start? or should i go out and buy more chaeto to stick in the refugium

How long do i have to wait till it helps with bringing down the nitrates........its at 15-20 right now........wanting to get it to 10 or less.

 

[KingRicky]

That should be enough, about what I started with. It grows pretty fast in my Refugium, I have to prune about once every other month or so. Remeber that pruning is how the Cheato continues to export excess nutrients. When you prune it, the Cheato that you are removing allows new growth that continues the nutrient removal process. There is a great thread on RC that covers alot of info on Refugiums and Macro Algae.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1540422

As far as how soon it should start to reduce Nitrates, that depends on your system. How long has the tank been going? Has it completed it's cycle? If the tank has completed it's cycle, the Nitrates should start to come down faily quickly.

 

[cveverly]

I agree a fist size should be enough to start. I prune mine every couple weeks but it does not grow that fast at first.

For your nitrates I would do a water change unless the tank is still cycling. How old is the system? Are you feeding heavy? I am not sure chaeto will significantly lower nitrates on its own.

Sorry for more questions than answers.

 

[xmjxflipx]

ok cool thanks..........not feeding too heavy and if it was it might be the coral frenzy/rotifers.........my corals and all arent stressed just wanted a way for nutrient export so i dont have to keep having to do waterchanges.......

 

[xmjxflipx]

reef has been up for over 8 months.......but ive been doing waterchanges maybe 10% a week for a long time to keep up with nitrates........

 

[cveverly]

I could be wrong but I don't believe using a refugium is going to cure your nitrate issue. I think continuing your water changes is the best solution. Water changes export pollution and add elements that are consumed by your reef. I am no means an expert so take this information with a gran of salt (pun intended).

 

[oceanparadise1]

I could be wrong but I don't believe using a refugium is going to cure your nitrate issue. I think continuing your water changes is the best solution. Water changes export pollution and add elements that are consumed by your reef. I am no means an expert so take this information with a gran of salt (pun intended).

I believe it will help ur nitrate issue BUT it wont solve your issue.


i bolded that bc its a great line lol:tongue:

 

[KingRicky]

If your tank has been running for 8 months, there is something causing your nitrates to be elevated. Are you running any kind of filter, HOB or Canister? Do you have a sump and if so is there any type of sponge or filter in it? If so, these need to be kept clean as they will build nitrates if dirty.

 

[beaslbob]

IMHO getting the tank itself to consume the nitrates is the solution to getting them unmeasureable. (ditto phosphates also plus carbon dioxide)

For instance, say your tank is producing 4ppmnitrates/day. And your chaeto/anaerobic bacteria is consuming 3ppm/day. A 10% water change with 0 nitrates every 10 days will result in 100ppm nitrates just before the water change. It is then 90ppm after the water change and then 10 days later it is back up to 100ppm.

By contrast a tank with sufficient chaeto will have 0 ppm nitrates regardless of the water changes. Even if the replacement water has nitrates in it.


just my .02

 

[dfisch1]

I trim the cheto in my fuge every 3-4 weeks, pulling out 2 gallons at a time. I restart with a baseball sized piece and it grows like a weed.