Harvesting chaeto: How much and how often?

[Larry L]

I switched up my sump lighting and finally have some decent chaeto growth happening. Just curious how often people harvest theirs, and how much at one time? How do you know when its time to start pulling some out?

 

[dbl]

I pull out a couple gallon sized bags worth every three weeks. I personally just harvest when the fuge gets to the point the chaeto is no longer fully submerged. Not very scientific I know!

 

[Larry L]

I pull out a couple gallon sized bags worth every three weeks.

Thanks, how much is that compared to the total amount? Half? Most of it?

 

[dbl]

In my case, it's close to half. If I forget and let it go longer, I'll take out more than half.

 

[tdileo]

It really depends on your tank. The growth rate will differ depending on how many fish you have, how much you feed, other nutrient export, fuge lighting, etc. Macroalgaes lit with a special $200 grow light and a good, constant supply of nitrates and phosphates from heavy feedings of fish and corals will grow faster than some with a $5 clip on LED and some fish fed once daily.
I personally don’t have chaeto in my fuge anymore other than a few tiny strands. I prefer cauldron prolifera, I think it looks nicer and does as good a job hah.

 

[Larry L]

The growth rate will differ depending on ...

I get that part, I'm just wondering if people have some sort of rule of thumb for how much to harvest depending on how much is there. E.g. pull out half when the sump gets full, or decide on some baseline amount to keep and harvest anything above and beyond that, that kind of thing.

I prefer caulerpa prolifera, I think it looks nicer and does as good a job hah.

Good to know, I'll have to check that out.