Why doesn't my cheato grow

[edc_aquarium]

My algae has been in the refugium for about a month and it hasn't grown a millimeter whats wrong

 

[3mm3]

Do you have detectable nitrate and phosphate?

 

[edc_aquarium]

Nitrate is 20ppm
Nitrite is 0.5ppm
Phosphate is 0.0ppm

 

[3mm3]

What phosphate test kit did you use?
Do you have algae in the display?

 

[edc_aquarium]

Do you have detectable nitrate and phosphate?

The results are above

 

[edc_aquarium]

What phosphate test kit did you use?
Do you have algae in the display?

I used api phosphate test kit and i do have algae in the main display

 

[3mm3]

Do you have a picture of the algae in the display?
Are you able to remove some of the algae in the display? It may be outcompeting the cheato
Are you carbon dosing in any form?

 

[edc_aquarium]

Do you have a picture of the algae in the display?
Are you able to remove some of the algae in the display? It may be outcompeting the cheato
Are you carbon dosing in any form?

i cant remove it, its very slimy
And i use a pack of chemi pure blue

 

[3mm3]

I would hose that slime out as much as you can on your next water change.
I'm guessing the chemi pure blue pulled too much phosphate out causing a better environment for the slime than the chaeto.

Do you know anyone nearby that has an Ultra low range phosphorus meter? If your near me ill check it for you to get a better idea of what your dealing with.

 

[jda]

Chaeto also needs iron to grow. If you are a regular water changer, then it will get enough... if not, then you might need to supplement.

Chaeto is not going to outcompete other algae without help. Removal or predators of that other algae will allow the chaeto to grow since it has no predators in the fuge. You need to find something to eat the algae in the tank.