Chaeto - Should it tumble?

[JCOLE]

Hello everyone! Finally picked up my first Chaeto order today. It is looking great in my sump. Question is should it tumble around or sit still? I put it in a Tupperware bowl and its floating at the top until I hear from the pros.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

It doesn’t need to tumble , but it needs flow. The bowl will stop the flow.

 

[BestMomEver]

I bought a live bearer breeder box and attached it in the sump. It works well and water flows through it well.

 

[JCOLE]

It doesn’t need to tumble , but it needs flow. The bowl will stop the flow.

So the million dollar question. How do I remove the bowl and not have it tumble?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

So the million dollar question. How do I remove the bowl and not have it tumble?

Remove the bowl and let it be.

 

[Silver14SS]

It'll be fine if it tumbles, fine if it doesn't. Don't overthink it, it's just a hunk of algae

 

[JCOLE]

Remove the bowl and let it be.

Ok. So tumbling is ok? Just curious because it has a decent tumble. The copeppds are running around it like it's a ferris wheel.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Ok. So tumbling is ok? Just curious because it has a decent tumble. The copeppds are running around it like it's a ferris wheel.

Hahaha.
Let it roll!

 

[LavaBeard]

Great thread, I also got my first golf ball size Cheato for my tiny refugium today. I had the same question, I also wonder about the “flow” you guys/girls mention, my refugium is a 3 compartment one and I put it in the first chamber, where the water is pumped in to, that should be fine correct? One last question, its a new tank and right after the cycle I got brown diatom bloom, but only in the refugium, will this macro algea choke/starve out the brown or should I be worried?

 

[JCOLE]

Hahaha.
Let it roll!

Lol ok. See link below. Just took this.

 

[JCOLE]

Lol ok. See link below. Just took this.

It looks like it breaking up a little. Not paranoid just wondering..lol

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Great thread, I also got my first golf ball size Cheato for my tiny refugium today. I had the same question, I also wonder about the “flow” you guys/girls mention, my refugium is a 3 compartment one and I put it in the first chamber, where the water is pumped in to, that should be fine correct? One last question, its a new tank and right after the cycle I got brown diatom bloom, but only in the refugium, will this macro algea choke/starve out the brown or should I be worried?

It’s fine. It may also be detritus build up. Stuff settles in the chambers and can’t get out.

 

[AlgaeBarn]

Chaeto by no means is required to tumble. Tumbling tends to help with ensuring that the ultra thin layer of water on the macroalgae surface is swept away to allow for nutrient uptake and CO2 exchange. Strong flow will also do this.

 

[Subsea]

Chaeto by no means is required to tumble. Tumbling tends to help with ensuring that the ultra thin layer of water on the macroalgae surface is swept away to allow for nutrient uptake and CO2 exchange. Strong flow will also do this.

Tumbling is not required, but tubling is a good thing. I use air tumble culture in all production tanks. In addition to self cleaning process, photosynthesis is enhanced because tumbling allows all macro surfaces to see photosynthesis.

If I was from Alabama, I would say “Roll Tide”. Or maybe just sing

“Roll On Tumbleweed”.

 

[JCOLE]

So, my self always messing with things did not like it tumbling. I did this to keep it from tumbling. What do you think. Will this restrict growth? I will remove it once it is big enough to not tumble.

 

[Subsea]

Tumbling is always good. Not tumbling could be detrimental.

Tumbling helps keep macro clean of epilates. Tumbling allows light to hit all macro surfaces increasing photosynthesis because all surfaces see light.

 

[leroy_jenkinz]

So, my self always messing with things did not like it tumbling. I did this to keep it from tumbling. What do you think. Will this restrict growth? I will remove it once it is big enough to not tumble.

You’re putting way too much thought into your macro algae my man. It’s just chaeto and eventually is going to outgrow your little contraption. Just let it float/tumble/roll etc as long as your numbers are in check no need to do all that

 

[JCOLE]

You’re putting way too much thought into your macro algae my man. It’s just chaeto and eventually is going to outgrow your little contraption. Just let it float/tumble/roll etc as long as your numbers are in check no need to do all that

Yep that's me..lol. Tumbling busted a bunch of it off and I have read so many things about the Chaeto dying. Overthinking it I guess. I will let it tumble when I get home.

 

[JCOLE]

You’re putting way too much thought into your macro algae my man. It’s just chaeto and eventually is going to outgrow your little contraption. Just let it float/tumble/roll etc as long as your numbers are in check no need to do all that

Also, you dont like my little contraption? Lol

 

[leroy_jenkinz]

Yep that's me..lol. Tumbling busted a bunch of it off and I have read so many things about the Chaeto dying. Overthinking it I guess. I will let it tumble when I get home.

New chaeto will “bust” apart. When it starts exporting nutrients your chaeto will grow into a bigger more compressed like ball/square and won’t break apart as much. Your flow might be a bit much and thus making little pieces scatter but unless you have a WAV or MP40WQD power head in there blasting it I promise your chaeto won’t fall apart and disappear.