I need some help with figuring out why my Chaeto isn't doing so hot. It breaks apart in to tiny pieces and I am really not sure if its dying or doing well. It under a maxspect Razor 180 watt and I have the blue and whites on 50%. Its on an opposite right schedule to tank so it get about 12 hours of light.
Chaeto Questions
- Thread starter MickeysReef
- Start date
- Tagged users None
nautical_nathaniel
Indecision may or may not be my problem.
There may not be enough nutrients for it to consume. What are you water parameters like?
Both phospahtes and nitrates are testing zero. Not sure if this is a negivtive reading since the Cheato might be consuming it. I run phosgaurd in a reactor as well.
Sierra_Bravo
Valuable Member
It will do better with red and blue spectrum light, like a grow bulb. A lot of people use 6500 daylight bulbs, but really what the algae uses most are the red and blue wavelengths.
If it is breaking up it could be possible there aren't enough nutrients, you have too much flow going on, or parts aren't getting sufficient light.
If it is breaking up it could be possible there aren't enough nutrients, you have too much flow going on, or parts aren't getting sufficient light.
Sierra_Bravo
Valuable Member
I use this with very good results:
https://www.amazon.com/TaoTronics-l...coding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=QN3NYJFGY65ZDE0XRXHX
https://www.amazon.com/TaoTronics-l...coding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=QN3NYJFGY65ZDE0XRXHX
I also have a small powerhead on a timer that runs for a minute or so every two hours at night when the light is on. This rotates the chaeto gently so light is distributed throughout. (My Chaeto doesn't tumble or float on its own)
https://www.amazon.com/TaoTronics-l...coding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=QN3NYJFGY65ZDE0XRXHX
https://www.amazon.com/TaoTronics-l...coding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=QN3NYJFGY65ZDE0XRXHX
I also have a small powerhead on a timer that runs for a minute or so every two hours at night when the light is on. This rotates the chaeto gently so light is distributed throughout. (My Chaeto doesn't tumble or float on its own)
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Thank you for this info I Will plan on switching to this bulb. should I get one or two its a 30 gallon fug?
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Chiefmaster30
Valuable Member
Mine never would grow at all! It kinda just sat there which seemed like forever but in reality it was a couple months. I added a powerhead to my fuge and now 2 weeks later I'm having to trim it back bc it's filled my entire fuge section and even almost covered my dragaons breath and other macros.
Sierra_Bravo
Valuable Member
One should be sufficient as long as the light is hitting the chaeto. Be advised this light has a bit narrow of a focus - it puts out a 12-16" spread at 24" above the bottom of the refugium. I use this plastic light housing to mount it.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/HDX-75-Watt-PVC-Clamp-Lamp-1102/205504032
http://www.homedepot.com/p/HDX-75-Watt-PVC-Clamp-Lamp-1102/205504032
Keep in mind that it may not just be the light. The purpose of Chaeto is to remove nutrients through growth of the algae; if you are low on nutrients to begin with it won't grow well no matter what light you use.
Good luck!
