Cheato in main tank

[Saltfishlover]

I have a 20 gal tank, no sump,no fuge. Can I place a ball of cheato in my tank and hide it behind a rock to help tank?

 

[chizerbunoi]

Sure it grows pretty quick too. But just make sure it’s free of any other pest macro or else your tank will turn into a refugium like mine did. Is cut mine in half frequently and kept turning it into a tight ball. Kept the outer layer and tossed the inner part each week.

 

[Saltfishlover]

Sure it grows pretty quick too. But just make sure it’s free of any other pest macro or else your tank will turn into a refugium like mine did. Is cut mine in half frequently and kept turning it into a tight ball. Kept the outer layer and tossed the inner part each week.

Did you keep it hidden from view? High or low in the tank? Did you notice a difference in levels when u used it?

 

[chizerbunoi]

Honestly mine had hitch hikers and now I have 6-7 other types of macros growing all over my rock. Can’t get rid of it either as my tanks are dedicated to anemones.

Yes it will reduce nitrates. There was a guy who had a 40 breeder many years ago on another nano forum that got me started with this idea. His name was GobyInPeace. Not sure if he is a member here but you should check that tank out.

 

[Goodair]

There are more attractive macros if your gonna use them in the display. Its just a matter or what your stocking is since the attractive ones tend to be palatable.

 

[Saltfishlover]

They all do the same job and just as efficient and effective?

 

[Goodair]

Some have different requirements and efficiencies. Chaeto just tends to be efficient and easy to grow. It's ugly and not palatable to most fish, which doesnt matter when people use it in the refugium.
Some sites would have better information, you can browse through and see what might suite your wants!

 

[Flippers4pups]

You could keep it in the DT, but it will fragment and end up on everything, rocks, pumps, corals.

 

[Saltfishlover]

You could keep it in the DT, but it will fragment and end up on everything, rocks, pumps, corals.

What if out in a plastic container with small holes for water flow?

 

[splitting_lanes]

Chaeto is no problem in the DT, I did it for years. It just doesn’t look as good as carlurpa (sp), but it’s much easier to control.

 

[KleineVampir]

Honestly if I were you I would abandon this idea, because it will be ugly and feel weird. If you want something in your display I suggest caulerpa prolifera. It grows fast and never really melts. And looks decent. And stays off rocks.