Cheato Light Schedule Test Project

[ReefNerd76]

I couldn't find any discussion on this topic anywhere else in this forum so I decided to make a thread here, hope this is ok.

I'm going to run a little test. I have Cheato in my Refugium and currently run my light schedule opposite of my display tank. I've heard if you run it 24/7, cheato will explode in growth. I'm going to test this theory. Also if you think about it, the bigger your Cheato, the more nutrition it will eat up, such as Nitrates and Phosphates. Which will control nuisance algae. In theory anyway. So here is a picture of my Cheato today the 13th of December. This is about close to the size it was over a month ago when I received it. Let's see what happens shall we?
Give you input, thoughts, experience or advice here please and thank you.

 

[twilliard]

24-7 here
It will grow based on available trace elements, nutrients, lighting.
Remember algae utilizes more than just No3 and Po4
Good test! I enjoy seeing members take steps towards education of science.

 

[ReefNerd76]

24-7 here
It will grow based on available trace elements, nutrients, lighting.
Remember algae utilizes more than just No3 and Po4
Good test! I enjoy seeing members take steps towards education of science.

Thank you , I hope to either prove or disprove this theory

 

[DracoKat]

I run mine opposite the display light schedule. I started with a tiny golfball size. 5 months later it's the size of a basketball

I use a Par38 bulb

 

[ReefNerd76]

I run mine opposite the display light schedule. I started with a tiny golfball size. 5 months later it's the size of a basketball

I use a Par38 bulb

I'm not sure what Par mine is but it's a nano led coral light with white and blue spectrum

 

[Squirrel_reefer]

I run mine opposite the Dt as well, using a 6500k 12w LED refugium light. Had to trim it once already in 60 days

In order to be super scientific you might want to consider that all experiments need a control in order to gauge the results and prove/disprove the hypothesis. Without a control you will not really know what is making your cheato grow, or not grow. Was it the light? was it the nutrients? its all pretty subjective.

I would figure out if you're going to try and record progress daily or weekly. I would remove the ball and weigh it if you have means to do so, as that will best determine "growth". You'll also need to track your NO3 and PO4 on a semi daily basis so that any growth can be correlated to either the nutrients or the light. if you dont do this, and you get a large boost in growth how can you prove it was the light and not a nutrient explosion? see where Im going with this?

Start with a baseline on your NO3 and PO4 and feeding habits (feeding habits cannot change)

if you have a means to monitor PH levels that would also help correlate any growth or effect the light 24/7 is having


Good luck and God Speed, definitely following along to see how you do!

 

[ReefNerd76]

I run mine opposite the Dt as well, using a 6500k 12w LED refugium light. Had to trim it once already in 60 days

In order to be super scientific you might want to consider that all experiments need a control in order to gauge the results and prove/disprove the hypothesis. Without a control you will not really know what is making your cheato grow, or not grow. Was it the light? was it the nutrients? its all pretty subjective.

I would figure out if you're going to try and record progress daily or weekly. I would remove the ball and weigh it if you have means to do so, as that will best determine "growth". You'll also need to track your NO3 and PO4 on a semi daily basis so that any growth can be correlated to either the nutrients or the light. if you dont do this, and you get a large boost in growth how can you prove it was the light and not a nutrient explosion? see where Im going with this?

Start with a baseline on your NO3 and PO4 and feeding habits (feeding habits cannot change)

if you have a means to monitor PH levels that would also help correlate any growth or effect the light 24/7 is having


Good luck and God Speed, definitely following along to see how you do!

I've thought of all of this and yes I'll be tracking it all, I just didn't want to bore everyone with all the specifics until the end of my test

 

[Squirrel_reefer]

I've thought of all of this and yes I'll be tracking it all, I just didn't want to bore everyone with all the specifics until the end of my test

This is what we live for!

If you had 2 5gal buckets, a dual out put air pump, two bulbs, and two chaeto balls.... you could really get deep into this

 

[ReefNerd76]

This is what we live for!

If you had 2 5gal buckets, a dual out put air pump, two bulbs, and two chaeto balls.... you could really get deep into this

Now that's a great idea!!! Once my cheato grows , I'm gonna cut it and try that for sure and record all of it here! That's an awesome idea!

 

[Squirrel_reefer]

keep us updated, some of like the nerdy stuff

 

[ReefNerd76]

keep us updated, some of like the nerdy stuff

You bet ! So do I, I'm a bit of a Aquatic nerd myself lol

 

[splix]

I run mine from 10:00pm to 4:00pm the next day. I harvest around a 5 gal bucket worth every 2 weeks.

 

[laga77]

I have 3 sumps with cheato and caulerpa in them. The lights are on 22 hrs. a day. They are off from 3-5am. Even with harvesting some daily to feed directly to my FOWLR, I throw away half a 5G bucket every month.

 

[twilliard]

keep us updated, some of like the nerdy stuff

Indeed! I feel I am a "nerd" LOL

 

[fishbox]

So where are you nerds with this testing? lol
I have a DIY cheato reactor that I run the lights 12hrs at night when tank lights are off but I'm not seeing growth. In fact I think it's receding. I definitely have Po4 and No3 in my system. So I'm thinking about changing the light schedule to 24/7 or should I reduce it?

 

[drtrash]

I see no reason to rush crashing a ecosystem 24/7 is asking for problems. Still interested in outcome good luck look forward to posts

 

[Neo Jeo]

Im also interested! I order some Clean Cheato from Algae barn today!

 

[Neo Jeo]

I see no reason to rush crashing a ecosystem 24/7 is asking for problems. Still interested in outcome good luck look forward to posts

You think 24/7 can crash an ecosystem? Some people run lights at night. I dont know what way im going to go

 

[UWC]

It works Run 24/7 until your No3 and Po4 drop to where you want them to be ( You more then likely will have to run GFO or other phosphate reducing media to bring Po4 to desired level). Once your desired No3 and Po4 numbers are hit, cut back your refugium light period to maintain your desired #'s. More then likely at this time you will also be able to remove your phosphate binding material assuming your chaeto can keep up with your phosphate load.

 

[Pntbll687]

I run my light 24/7. It's a finnex light with white/red and blue channels. I run it 24/7 because it has switches to turn it on and off, and homie don't play that game. And I'm not shelling out money for a programmable fuge light.

As far as growth, it's ok. I have nothing to compare it to. Mine sits about 8in above the cheato and it's thick/dark and dense. I trim it about once a month, or if it fills up the chamber it's in, whichever comes first.

As with most of my equipment, I got it for free, so I would really need to see a super deal to change anything.