chaetomorpha algae

[ElitePirate]

hi

my nano tank is very small (15 gallon only) and it's 3 weeks old. can i add chaetomorpha algae to the tank? will it help? i read it will reduce nitrates and phosphates.

anyone using these algaes?

 

[Crabs McJones]

hi

my nano tank is very small (15 gallon only) and it's 3 weeks old. can i add chaetomorpha algae to the tank? will it help? i read it will reduce nitrates and phosphates.

anyone using these algaes?

Has your tank finished cycling? I would wait until after the tank is cycled and some nitrate and phosphate has built up or the chaeto will die off on you

 

[ElitePirate]

Has your tank finished cycling? I would wait until after the tank is cycled and some nitrate and phosphate has built up or the chaeto will die off on you

yup its cycled. i already have fish and corals inside

 

[Crabs McJones]

yup its cycled. i already have fish and corals inside

Then i'd say have at it Start with a small amount so it doesn't deplete your nutrients right away.

 

[kswan]

I wouldn't add until you are measuring and looking to reduce nutrients. I added mine too early and it didn't grow for months but luckily didn't die.

 

[ElitePirate]

ok thank you, just a quick question -by adding this, there are no disadvantages or nothing will go wrong, right? @Crabs Mcjones @kswan

 

[Crabs McJones]

ok thank you, just a quick question -by adding this, there are no disadvantages or nothing will go wrong, right? @Crabs Mcjones @kswan

The only disadvantage would be is if the chaeto does its job too well. There have been cases where the chaeto stripped all the nitrate and phosphate from a system and lps and sps corals suffered slightly from it. If that happens, the best way to fix it is to shorten your chaeto's photoperiod.

 

[kswan]

^^^^ That or the chaeto doesn't survive and you need to buy more.

 

[jmccown]

what kind of lighting is recommended these days to grow chaeto?

 

[Crabs McJones]

what kind of lighting is recommended these days to grow chaeto?

The most popular is a 6500k cfl bulb with a reflector from any big box hardware store due to its cost, and simplicity to aquire. Me, I like a little more power, I use the Kessil H380 which in my opinion and in the opinion of others, is one of the best macro algae lights available. They recently came out with a little brother version to that which isn't as powerful and more affordable the Kessil H160. I would strongly recommend either. Then there is the grow lights available on amazon, these run around 40 to 60 bucks and usually come in whats called a "UFO" grow light. Basically any LED light that utilizes the red and blue leds.

 

[Katrina71]

I use the nanoglo light. I like it.

 

[kswan]

I'm using the little Kessil H80 with great results. May add a second light to maximize the spread.

 

[beaslbob]

FWIW I added 1/4" square egg crate 3" in front of my back glass and 2 4' 6500k 2 tube shop lights behind the tank pointing forward. that formed an in tank refugium that kept the chaeto and fish separate. Worked like a champ.

 

[lapin]

Hum ..... lets see cheato.... maybe it comes with critters. Some good some bad. It will give you something to look for in the day and in the night. I have a viparspectra 300w over mine in the fuge. I also have 2 hardware store std screw in led grow lights over some more. Both work.

 

[dimidragos]

The only disadvantage would be is if the chaeto does its job too well. There have been cases where the chaeto stripped all the nitrate and phosphate from a system and lps and sps corals suffered slightly from it. If that happens, the best way to fix it is to shorten your chaeto's photoperiod.

I believe that I'm in this situation now one month after I start to use successful my algae reactor

 

[DBUK]

I wouldn't add until you are measuring and looking to reduce nutrients. I added mine too early and it didn't grow for months but luckily didn't die.

i have done the same here my cheato is not growing still alive from the looks of it. but i think i added it to early.