Chato

[cnicholas04]

So I have almost had the fuge going for a year and I have not seen the amazing growth of chato that some people report. The fuge chamber is after the 2 filter socks and skimmer chamber. The light is a H80 TUNA FLORA REFUGIUM LED LIGHT I have been running it 12 hours on 12 hours off. It is turned to the grow setting and the intensity is all
The way up. I turn it over every so often. The chato is a very dark green but not a lot of growth.

 

[Crabs McJones]

What are your nutrient levels?

 

[ihavecrabs]

So I have almost had the fuge going for a year and I have not seen the amazing growth of chato that some people report. The fuge chamber is after the 2 filter socks and skimmer chamber. The light is a H80 TUNA FLORA REFUGIUM LED LIGHT I have been running it 12 hours on 12 hours off. It is turned to the grow setting and the intensity is all
The way up. I turn it over every so often. The chato is a very dark green but not a lot of growth.

You are doing better than me. I killed the Cheato every time

Agreed with Crabs.. I’d like to know nitrate and phosphate levels too

 

[cnicholas04]

Phosphates are 0. Nitrates are somewhere between 0-40 just matters on the day. I add fuel twice a week. I do weekly water changes. I my ammonia is 0 my ph is normal. My cal is 440 my alk is 10 and my mag is 1440

 

[ihavecrabs]

Phosphates are 0. Nitrates are somewhere between 0-40 just matters on the day. I add fuel twice a week. I do weekly water changes. I my ammonia is 0 my ph is normal. My cal is 440 my alk is 10 and my mag is 1440

Sounds like you are phosphate limited. I would recommend slowly dosing phosphorus (like seachem flourish).

Be careful though as it will drop your nitrates in the process. So it is more about stabilizing your phosphate and nitrate readings rather than getting the Cheato to grow and risking bottoming out either phosphate or nitrate.

 

[Crabs McJones]

If phosphates and Nitrates are 0, the chaeto has nothing to uptake and wont grow. If its dark green and looks healthy, I would personally keep doing what you're doing and not change a thing

 

[cnicholas04]

I am also scared to rase phosphates I am just getting the hair algae under control ‍

 

[ihavecrabs]

Keep in mind, all living things need phosphate. Limiting it to control one algae may also limit coral growth and Cheato as well.

 

[cnicholas04]

Thanks for the help. Like I stated earlier. I had a 125 un drilled with a canister filter with hang on the back skimmer and fuge and I had that thing dialed in. Now I have a 180 drilled with a full fuge and I am struggling to get this thing down