CHAETO Refugium Lighting...Help Wanted Kessel

[Cory]

I wouldn't worry right now. But monitor to see if your Chaeto dies off completely.

Lol dont worry just wait until it dies?

 

[jphilip813]

Lol dont worry just wait until it dies?

Its actually growing like CRAZY now....I moved a paired goby/shrimp, plus some crabs in there

 

[Dom]

Lol dont worry just wait until it dies?

We include Refugiums in our systems for the purpose of exporting nutrients. I've read many posts about Chaetomorpha and its lack of growth in systems.

In my view, when Chaetomorpha in the refugium stops growing, it means that it has done it's job. It has taken up the excess nutrients in the tank, which is the reason we put it there in there the first place.

When your growth stops, it simply means that nutrients have dropped to non-excessive levels. There is still growth, it just isn't as obvious due to the reduced growth rate from the drop in nutrients.

I think that people look at a lack of macro algae growth in their refugiums incorrectly. They see it as something wrong with their system that needs correction. So what happens? They run out and buy some bottled solution that will "fix" the problem by helping the macro algae to grow.

Why add nutrients to your system just to have the refugium take it right back out? You may as well take the $20.00 you spend on the bottled solution and throw it in the fireplace.

If it dies off, so what? Monitor your nutrient levels and add more Chaetomorpha when your weekly test results indicate it is necessary.

 

[jphilip813]

We include Refugiums in our systems for the purpose of exporting nutrients. I've read many posts about Chaetomorpha and its lack of growth in systems.

In my view, when Chaetomorpha in the refugium stops growing, it means that it has done it's job. It has taken up the excess nutrients in the tank, and is the reason we put it there in there the first place.

When your growth stops, it simply means that nutrients have dropped to non-excessive levels. There is still growth, it just isn't as obvious due to the reduced growth rate from the drop in nutrients.

I think that people look at a lack of macro algae growth in their refugiums incorrectly. They see it as something wrong with their system that needs correction. So what happens? They run out and buy some bottled solution that will "fix" the problem by helping the macro algae to grow.

Why add nutrients to your system just to have the refugium take it right back out? You may as well take the $20.00 you spend on the bottled solution and throw it in the fireplace.

If it dies off, so what? Monitor your nutrient levels and add more Chaetomorpha when your weekly test results indicate it is necessary.

Good point...never placed that thought process into that perspective. And at the same time, if it continues to grow, then you have possibly an excess of nutrients problem...which is why i think mine continues to grow with the load I have and the maroon looking color algea on my pumps and return lines in the display tank...never on the substrate/live rock or corals....

 

[schuby]

About 6 months after starting my current tank, my chaeto died, even though I had elevated phosphate and nitrate. It was due to a lack of iron.

By the way, when chaeto dies, it releases all the phosphate and nitrate it consumed back into your tank. Not a pleasant experience.

 

[minus9]

If you're using gfo and other nutrient reducing media, they can pull certain trace elements as well. Chaeto requires a plethora of trace elements and nutrients in order to grow properly. When using multiple forms of nutrient reduction, one will and can out compete the other, so care should be taken when using media with chaeto. The good thing about healthy chaeto, is it's ability to pull certain contaminants from the water, which you remove when trimming it. Just food for thought. Happy reefing!

 

[jphilip813]

If you're using gfo and other nutrient reducing media, they can pull certain trace elements as well. Chaeto requires a plethora of trace elements and nutrients in order to grow properly. When using multiple forms of nutrient reduction, one will and can out compete the other, so care should be taken when using media with chaeto. The good thing about healthy chaeto, is it's ability to pull certain contaminants from the water, which you remove when trimming it. Just food for thought. Happy reefing!

How often/long are you running your lights on your refugium for?

 

[minus9]

How often/long are you running your lights on your refugium for?

12hrs, but I may increase that time a little to help pull a little more? Remember, you'll have to find the right length for your tank. If switching to the Kessil from a weaker light, then you may have to slowly increase intensity or duration? If set to full intensity, then you can start with 8hrs and increase the duration a half hour each week until you reach 12hrs. Or start with half intensity for 12hrs and slowly increase until you get to 100%, whatever you choose? The chaeto will tell you if you're going too fast or intensity is too much. It usually turns white when intensity is too strong or stripped of nutrients/elements.
I run the reef moonshiners program, so I'm dosing trace elements daily and corrections at least once a month on a few elements. Dailies include iodide, vanadium, iron, cobalt, chromium and manganese. I can fill a one gallon Ziploc bag full of chaeto every 7-10 days when I trim it. Besides N&P, traces are important for chaeto growth.

 

[rcpalmer1]

I have a 15"x15"x8" refugium I have the Kessil H380. It took 3 times of killing the cheato before I got it to grow. It was solid top to bottom for over a year. I was helping a friend and gave him half. While I was there I flipped the rest. It all died.

The Kessil are high output. Just like with Coral the Cheato needs to be acclimated. I had to turn my lights back to 4 hours a day. Then increase 1 hour a week. I also found Cheato Grow helps get a small piece to grow quicker.

 

[esther]

Oh ok, yeah before I switched to this sump...I was growing chaeto like crazy with a little cheap $25 light...now with this light...doesn't seem like it is growing and the chaeto seems to break-off very easy...and turn to almost dark brown...I replaced it once so far...hoping I got a bad batch, due to COVOID 19 at the LFS

Same with me. I ended up getting rid of my Kessil because nothing grew with it for months. Ended up buying a $20 amazon light and it's growing out of control.

 

[jphilip813]

Same with me. I ended up getting rid of my Kessil because nothing grew with it for months. Ended up buying a $20 amazon light and it's growing out of control.

AInt that a BIIIII CCCHHH...lol