Chaeto works to well?

[bubbaque]

About a week ago I added chaeto to my sump to help with pods and I wanted the chaeto to out compete any algae that could possibly grow in the display tank.

I have noticed since I added it, it has consumed all my nitrates. I try to keep them are 5ppm but today I measured and they were at 0. I mainly have spa frags and with the chaeto consuming it, could it turn into an issue or does the chaeto keep it in balance some how?

 

[domination2580]

About a week ago I added chaeto to my sump to help with pods and I wanted the chaeto to out compete any algae that could possibly grow in the display tank.

I have noticed since I added it, it has consumed all my nitrates. I try to keep them are 5ppm but today I measured and they were at 0. I mainly have spa frags and with the chaeto consuming it, could it turn into an issue or does the chaeto keep it in balance some how?

You will have to trim back on chaeto, it will eat every possible nitrate. Your also going to have to dose nitrates

 

[domination2580]

Or feed more

 

[bubbaque]

I feed so much already. I feed frozen 3 times a day plus use oyster feast daily.

 

[domination2580]

Thats interesting. Sounds like your chaeto is extremely efficient on exporting nutrients. Congrats lol.

 

[domination2580]

You will have to dose nitrates

 

[CodyRVA]

Smells... "Fishy"... I highly doubt chaeto alone is responsible for absorbing those nutrients that fast.

 

[domination2580]

Smells... "Fishy"... I highly doubt chaeto alone is responsible for absorbing those nutrients that fast.

It is interesting....just curious did u add any media?

 

[CodyRVA]

Scratch that, only 5 ppm of nitrate to begin with? I wouldn't even worry about my nitrates if that were the case. Unless your corals show signs of ailment, let it be.

 

[dodosing]

I doubt the cheato that efficient. I got a gallon in my tank, plus a bunch of mangrove. but nitrate is not exporting that much. I would love to have ur cheato lol

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

IMO, dont do nuthin. See how it goes. do exactly what you have been doing. Overfeeding now wont really show for a couple weeks. Ie where did all this cyano come from.
Same goes for underfeeding over skimming over gfo-ing as well.
I have actually been wondering lately as I have a "very robust fuge" if its possible to out compete the corals for food. But im kinda with cody on this one. I dont feed very heavy, have a VERY robust fuge, great not out of controll xenia and great sps growth.
keep an eye on the overall health, dont make too many changes and go slow. my .02

 

[domination2580]

I doubt the cheato that efficient. I got a gallon in my tank, plus a bunch of mangrove. but nitrate is not exporting that much. I would love to have ur cheato lol

That's what i was saying

 

[ReeferReefer]

I also think you should give it time. Trim back the macro and see how your levels change over a few weeks

 

[bubbaque]

It's definately the chaeto taking up the nitrate, it's the only thing that has changed. I picked up the led grow light that @d2mini uses and the chaeto has at least doubled in size the week I have had it. I have been using it pretty much 24/7. I was just worried if it would starve out the corals I have.

 

[jeremy.gosnell]

There is argument about whether or not SPS corals (all corals really) require some nitrate in the water to maintain health and vitality. Looking at wild reef water quality answers many of those questions. On a wild reef, nitrate is usually below 0.1 ppm (essentially undetectable). Phosphate is below .005 ppm (even less detectable). Yet SPS corals (and other species) grow with vigor on natural reefs. If you're tank is running in low nutrients your best bet is to dose some ammino-acids and coral foods, so that your corals have some form of nutrients. I personally like Korallin Zucht's line of products (Poly's extra, Amino Acid, Etc) and have been impressed with Polyp Lab's Reef Genesis line of liquid coral food and amino acid. These may raise your nitrate back up to 5 ppm, but I find it unlikely. I would also consider dosing K if you want to enhance green tones in your corals, in a low nutrient environment.

 

[d2mini]

Yes, it is definitely possible for high intensity full spectrum light from a fixture like the Mars Hydro 300 to cause your cheato to grow at such a rate that it consumes A LOT of nutrients.
Talk about your natural filtration!
You may need to experiment with running it for shorter periods or start dosing some nitrates back into the system. Or as said above, try feeding more and/or adding more fish.
I started playing with the nitrate dosing myself since my P04 is already pretty high by most standards.

 

[vladimir4076]

Unfortunately it didn't work for me,always had high nitrate,running bio pellets for now

 

[bubbaque]

I at first had one of the clip on lamps and it was not doing anything. I feel the light is what is doing it really.

 

[K100286]

The trition method requires a large amount of cheato which they say will deplete the nitrates and therefore they recommend dosing nitrates. You seem to have the same problem. But your cheato is doing more good then not. Dosing many be twice a week with a nitrogen supplement is very easy and not expensive. You don't have much of a problem. A lot of people would envy your situation. Good luck!

 

[linus.chan]

could you link to the new LED grow light you are using?