Tank/Chaeto starving
- Thread starter helljack6
- Start date
- Tagged users None
CMO
Valuable Member
I've had the same problem with too low of nutrients even while feeding a bit heavier than you at 4+ cubes of frozen per day + phyto and reef chili on my 165. My cheato recently died back pretty good due to Nitrate hitting 0.00 (I also noticed Iodine hit zero). Unfortunately the feeding more method just didn't work for my tank so I had to start nitrate dosing. Nearly immediately after starting to dose nitrate and iodine my cheato is coming back strong and dark green again. Corals also look much better with nitrate dosing. I also turned my skimmer pump down to mid speed setting and skim very dry which seems to help increase nutrients but still not enough.
Absent nitrate dosing I think it's pretty normal for Cheato to go through growth /die-off cycles as nutrients fluctuate (or rather it it grows to the point that it strips all nutrients causing a new cycle).
Perhaps trimming it more often might help? I'm experimenting with this now. I also noticed that it can become quite dense and compacted if left untrimmed which over time really increases the amount of cheato in a given space (mine literally became a cube that would hold it's shape when removed).
Absent nitrate dosing I think it's pretty normal for Cheato to go through growth /die-off cycles as nutrients fluctuate (or rather it it grows to the point that it strips all nutrients causing a new cycle).
Perhaps trimming it more often might help? I'm experimenting with this now. I also noticed that it can become quite dense and compacted if left untrimmed which over time really increases the amount of cheato in a given space (mine literally became a cube that would hold it's shape when removed).
Last edited:
CMO
Valuable Member
I'm using this pre-mixed product by brightwell but there are other raw forms readily available which I'm sure others might mention.
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/neonitro-balanced-nitrogen-supplement-brightwell-aquatics.html
You will want to keep an eye on your alk if you start nitrate dosing as is significantly increased my alk consumption.
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/neonitro-balanced-nitrogen-supplement-brightwell-aquatics.html
You will want to keep an eye on your alk if you start nitrate dosing as is significantly increased my alk consumption.
vetteguy53081
Well known Member and monster tank lover
Partner Member 2024
Excellence Award
Reef Tank 365
RGB
Article Contributor
Tampa Bay Reef Keepers
West Palm Beach Reefer
Hospitality Award
Ocala Reef Club Member
305 Reef Club
Wisco Reefers
Midwest Reefer
Fish Medic
MAC of SW Florida
Rock Pool Reef Keepers
R2R Secret Santa 2023
My Tank Thread
My Aquarium Showcase
A few drops twice a week of manganese/iron supplement and good lighting will keep it thriving
Subsea
5000 Club Member
Many use Spectacide stump remover (potassium nitrate) available from Home Depot. I use ammonia because I have many tanks. Even though I feed heavy including a live mussel each day for live gut cavity bacteria, I find food heavy on phosphate so I compensate by adding nitrate. Also, because cynobacteria can make its own nitrogen, I level the competition by making nitrogen available.
With respect to dosing iron, it is a good thing to do. Often, iron is the limiting nutrient that prevents macro from growing. When I first starting dosing iron, it was on a tumble culture of Gracilaria Hayi. Within24 hours, I saw a color change to a vibrant fire engine red from a pale yellow orange. It took a week for the second change, scientist have know about iron storage in terrestrial plants, but I was surprised when I saw extra growth that went from flat semi brittle tissue to fat pliable tissue. As time went by without iron dosing, the growth resided back to normal.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/wet-salty-for-christmas-2017.428100/
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/2...m-on-top-with-30g-ecosystem-mud-macro.421526/
Last edited:
Cnidoblast
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Jun 29, 2017
- Messages
- 532
- Reaction score
- 286
I would start dosing small amounts of a metal supplement - ESV makes a really good one and so does KZ (coral system 1 but I do not known the iron content)
