Need help with DIY algae reactor

nim6us · Nov 16, 2018

So I bought a standard size Aquamaxx reactor, wrapped in hydropic led strip lights, and connected it to the manifold in my sump, I run it in 12 hour light cycles.

I started with ball of cheato about the size of my fist, but I can't seem to get it to grow. I've got some normal algae in my rock work so I know the tank has the nutrients to grow algae. But it's been almost 6 weeks and I'm not seeing the cheato increase in size.

I think the issue is when I turn on the reactor the cheato is pushed to the top of the reactor and forms a disc about an 1" tall. So I have this 12" reactor lit up and 11" is wasted. I say I think this is the problem because I don't know for sure. Initially I thought I'd put the cheato in there and it would just grow out in every direction... but obviously that's not happening.

Now I'm looking for some feedback. My thoughts where:

A) Buy a LOT more cheato and just fill the reactor.. but then I was worried where would it grow as it had no room?

B) Maybe wrap the existing cheato around the inner tube of the reactor, and then try and zip tie it. So the cheato would be evenly dispersed top to bottom of the reactor core... but then I was concerned about zip ties being able to hold the cheato in place. It's so stringy, would the water pressure in the reactor just push all the cheato out of the zip ties and to the top of the reactor again?

I feel like I'm overthinking a simple problem and hoping to get some advice, thanks!

saltyfilmfolks · Nov 16, 2018

Use half the amount of light.
Stretch out the Chato.

JumboShrimp · Nov 16, 2018

You have outlined your situation well— let’s see what people suggest

nim6us · Nov 17, 2018

@saltyfilmfolks

Thanks for the advice, but could you explain what mean by stretching it out more? As I said the reactor seems to push all the cheato to the top.

saltyfilmfolks · Nov 17, 2018

nim6us said:
@saltyfilmfolks

Thanks for the advice, but could you explain what mean by stretching it out more? As I said the reactor seems to push all the cheato to the top.

The wrap and rubber band method you suggested.

You could possibly look at a slightly lower flow pump.

hart24601 · Nov 17, 2018

I cut some egg crate to fit in my reactor when using it, as a shelf. Superglue in place. Worked pretty well. You can try a variety of methods. Whenever someone has trouble growing chaeto I run over this list:

Do you have nitrates and phosphates detectable? It’s surprising how many have trouble and this is the reason.

Are you dosing iron or doing w/c to replenish it? (Generally brittle or discolored)

Is it getting burnt? (Turning white)

If the above are ok, then I would suspect it needs to be moved down in the reactor to get more light.

BaldFishGuy · Dec 6, 2018

Use less water flow. You don't want to pin the cheato to the top. I use the same method but have the flow on that tumbles it in the center. When the cheato gets larger, you adjust the flow more. I also use the hydroponic lights red/blue 4:1 wrapped around the reactor.