Is it possible to use both Chaeto and carbon dosing for nutrient control?

[Larry L]

I was using Chaeto for nutrient control, but it wasn't able to keep levels low enough even though I was getting what I thought was decent growth and was harvesting a fair amount each week. So I added vinegar dosing, and was able to get the levels down where I wanted them.

But then at some point all the Chaeto started dying off, I assume because the vinegar dosing was depleting the nutrients it needed. So then I had to boost the amount of vinegar dosing even more, to make up for the nutrient export that the Chaeto had previously been doing.

I like using Chaeto because I like the idea that it helps with oxygenation at night (which was when I was running my fuge lights), and it's a nice place for pods to grow. But is there any way to grow it in conjunction with another denitrating method, and keep things in balance over the long term? Or will whatever other denitrating method always outcompete the Chaeto at some point and kill it off?


Thanks!
Larry

 

[GK3]

I've used chaeto and chemipure elite and it worked wonders. I don't see why you'd have a problem unless you had so much chemical filtration that the chaeto literally got nothing.

On the other hand, if you had enough chaeto you wouldn't need the chemical filtration. So I'd say use enough chemical filtration that you get the levels you want but the chaeto can still grow.

That's my .02

 

[Larry L]

I've used chaeto and chemipure elite and it worked wonders.

Thanks, but just to clarify: I was asking about dosing a carbon source (like vodka,vinegar, NO-POX) to reduce nitrates, not about using activated carbon (which I do use now and then).

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I was using Chaeto for nutrient control, but it wasn't able to keep levels low enough even though I was getting what I thought was decent growth and was harvesting a fair amount each week. So I added vinegar dosing, and was able to get the levels down where I wanted them.

But then at some point all the Chaeto started dying off, I assume because the vinegar dosing was depleting the nutrients it needed. So then I had to boost the amount of vinegar dosing even more, to make up for the nutrient export that the Chaeto had previously been doing.

I like using Chaeto because I like the idea that it helps with oxygenation at night (which was when I was running my fuge lights), and it's a nice place for pods to grow. But is there any way to grow it in conjunction with another denitrating method, and keep things in balance over the long term? Or will whatever other denitrating method always outcompete the Chaeto at some point and kill it off?


Thanks!
Larry

I used both vinegar dosing and growing macroalgae together for years.

 

[GK3]

Thanks, but just to clarify: I was asking about dosing a carbon source (like vodka,vinegar, NO-POX) to reduce nitrates, not about using activated carbon (which I do use now and then).

Okay, understood. I think it's still the same. Your chaeto is going to do all it can and then you want the dosing to take care of the rest. You just need to find the appropriate dosing amount such that you are supplementing the chaeto, not starving it.

 

[thewbell]

I also run chaeto and dose vinegar but I do not try to bottom out my nitrates and phosphates. I don't know exactly what they are but I run a very low vinegar dose and adjust occasionally based on algea in the tank. I seem to have found a good balance in my lightly stocked 12o with 15 ml a day and I get great chaeto growth with minimal tank algae.

 

[Larry L]

Okay, understood. I think it's still the same.

Actually my bad, I was confusing Chemipure Elite with a different product that contains activated carbon.

Your chaeto is going to do all it can and then you want the dosing to take care of the rest. You just need to find the appropriate dosing amount such that you are supplementing the chaeto, not starving it.

Right, that balancing act is what I haven't figured out yet.

 

[Larry L]

I also run chaeto and dose vinegar but I do not try to bottom out my nitrates and phosphates.

That's what I'm shooting for - my phosphates have been between 0.05 and 0.1, and my nitrates have been around 8 or 10, although I'd like them a bit lower. I was surprised the Chaeto died off at those levels. It's possible my readings of the test results is bad, because I have a hard time distinguishing the colors (Salifert phosphate test and Nyos nitrate test), but I know for sure that I'm not getting zero readings.

 

[FranklinDattein]

I was never able to find the sweet spot to keep Chaeto happy and nutrients low, then I gave up and kept only Vinegar.