Chaeto Q

[authentic]

Will chaeto grow in freshwater???

 

[Crabs McJones]

Great question. I don't believe so, but following along for someone who definitively knows

 

[AlgaeBarn]

No, it will not.

 

[lapin]

Fresh water: Cladophora algae Cladophora is a branching, green filamentous alga, that forms a moss like structure. This algae doesn't appear to be slimy. Threads are very strong and very thin. It grows on rocks and submersed wood exposed to direct light, and in extreme cases will grow on plants also. Usually it tends to stay on one spot, which makes it easy to remove. Comb it and dose more CO2. In a case where Cladophora takes over the grassy plants, mow the plants like the lawn. No algae eater is known to eat this kind of algae. Photo credit: Dusko Bojic.

 

[eschaton]

I've done planted tanks for years. You don't need chaeto in fresh water, there are better substitutes.

If you're looking for something which is a good habitat for small critters - like say baby cherry shrimp - Java moss is fine, albeit slow growing.

A well-cared for planted tank basically never needs a water change though. The plants absorb the ammonia directly from the water, and every so often you trim them back. This uptake is particularly strong with floating plants or other growth above the water line, as they have access to more carbon dioxide. You do need to periodically dose with ferts and top off, but that's about it.