Is GFO killing my Chaeto ?

[cjrudy]

I have had chaeto growing successfully in my refugium since I set my 90G tank up almost a year ago. I assume it did a great job because I had very little algae problems except for cyano and algae dust on the glass. I though maybe the next step was to add a few reactors, one for carbon and one for GFO. They have been up and running for almost three weeks and it has definitely helped with the cyano, unfortunately my chaeto has been dying off ever since. Everyday there is more and more brown and absolutely no new growth.


So is the GFO killing off my chaeto ? And what should I do, I know there are plenty of people that have a refugium with chaeto and run reactors, so why is it not working for me?

 

[caudill187]

I have run large amounts of GFO for years and it doesn't seem to effect the growth rate of the macroalgae in my refugium. I guess theoretically, the algae could be suffering because of lower levels of phosphates, other nutrients that the GFO may be absorbing. Has anything else changed?

 

[cjrudy]

Absolutely nothing, outside of my dying chaeto the tank is do great.

 

[caudill187]

I'd guess it's lower phosphates then. If it all dies, I'd try adding another sample from another reefer's tank. It may just die down some while adjusting, but do well in the long run. Maybe others can chime in.

 

[cjrudy]

I'd guess it's lower phosphates then. If it all dies, I'd try adding another sample from another reefer's tank. It may just die down some while adjusting, but do well in the long run. Maybe others can chime in.

I may just do that, grab some new chaeto if this all dies iff

 

[Reef Breeders Verified Sponsor]

Don't let it all die off at once, be sure to remove dead pieces, as they can put the phosphates back into the tank. I have a reactor, and get very little growth from mine, but no die off. It can happen, and as said above, try some form another tank.