Cycling Now...When to Add Chaeto?

[FortLivingRoom]

@AlgaeBarn Is there a minimum nitrate level to shoot for?

 

[Cell]

I'd say not until you have some fish.

 

[Jax15]

Probably worth waiting until after the cycle before adding a small amount of chaeto. You need to have a nutrient source or the chaeto will either stall out or shrink/die. If you're determined to add it now because you're worried nutrients will quickly get out of hand, go ahead and do so - but if it doesn't grow, you may need to add a supplement like ChaetoGro until your bio load can support it on its own.

Fuge's are nice because the macro algae can tell you a lot about excess nutrient level in your tank, just based on how it reacts.

 

[SMSREEF]

Nitrate 5-10 and phosphate 0.05-0.1

 

[Idoc]

@AlgaeBarn Is there a minimum nitrate level to shoot for?

I've not had success with adding a refugium or chaeto when a tank is so immature. Your nutrients are going to fluctuate quite a bit while the system matures. Nutrients in a young tank should be able to be controlled easily with water changes. My tank was almost 3yrs old before it would grow cheato regularly... but, every tank is different.

 

[FortLivingRoom]

I've not had success with adding a refugium or chaeto when a tank is so immature. Your nutrients are going to fluctuate quite a bit while the system matures. Nutrients in a young tank should be able to be controlled easily with water changes. My tank was almost 3yrs old before it would grow cheato regularly... but, every tank is different.

I was getting so ahead of myself thinking about a refugium that I didn’t realize the water changes by themselves could keep my nitrates in check, thanks.

 

[FortLivingRoom]

Nitrate 5-10 and phosphate 0.05-0.1

Thanks, I was just thinking of nitrates, it didn’t even click with the phosphorus. Now that I think about fertilizing my lawn and the NPK ratio that makes sense!