How to keep Chaeto?

chris124 · May 13, 2014

Can any one give me some ideas on keeping Chaeto to help lower my nitrates. My nitrates are at 20ppm but I would like to try to get them lower if possible. I would like to keep it in my sump. I have a basic sump with no chambers. So I was wondering if a tank divider would work to prevent the Chaeto from getting in my pumps. How much light dose Chaeto need and what is a good way to install a light under my tank? Thanks.

Cajunmillerboy · May 13, 2014

I have a friend with a basic wet/dry sump and thy made a square box out of egg crate and tie raps and put a ball of it in there and used a cheep little clamping flood light with a plant grow bulb and run it on opposite cycle of tank light.

superchargedreefer · May 13, 2014

you want good water movement through the Algae

Reefing Madness · May 13, 2014

I used egg crate found at Home Depot to seperate the chambers so the Chaeto stayed put. I also had to install a powerhead to keep the water movement through there good. Using a simple curly cue flouresent 65w or 100w lamp is all thats needed.

HDX 150-Watt Incandescent Clamp Light-CE-300PDQ at The Home Depot

Feit Electric 200W Equivalent Daylight (6500K) Spiral CFL Light Bulb-ESL40TN/D at The Home Depot

miserkris · May 13, 2014

I agree with advice

chris124 · May 14, 2014

Thanks. I already have the lamp just need to get the egg crate.

jeneratesomefun · May 14, 2014

I've done a low - cost sump arrangement for now (all the $ went to hardware

) - but for now I have my return piping dropping into 2 socks, with my cheato and other micro algae in the same side (I do not have chambers either).

I have an altered Tupper ware tub over the top which holds my filter socks, so my light sits to the side of the tank (old light from smaller system). As Reefing Madness said - head to HD and grab some egg crate (in the lighting aisle fyi!). I cut mine down to size and zip - tied together. In the egg crate box I've generously piled small LR rubble which also helps catch stray cheato bits. The rest of my equipment is safely running on the other side.

I still do a maintenance check every once and a while to ensure nothings slipped by and reducing flow - but it works like a charm! Bad pic attached, but visuals always help :angel: