Basic Chaeto questions

[scowar]

OK, i'm new to the Chaeto craze...I just ordered some to replace the Caulerpa in my Eco. Is this stuff supposed to float or sink? Mine sank like a rock when I placed it in the sump. How are you supposed to get this stuff to "tumble" if it doesn't float? It came in two clumps in a large baggy. Should I loosen up the clumps a bit or leave them compacted together like they are?

 

[rodd1rj]

There might not be enough flow to make it tumble. One thing i've seen (not my idea) is a gallon milk jug cut kind of in half from the handle to the middle of the bottom. It lays on its side so light can get in, and then you put a small power head inside to blow the cheato. Also holes are put in the jug to let the water out. I'll try and get a pic up in a second.

 

[rodd1rj]

chaeto tumbler

chaeto tumbler

Lets see if this works.

 

[graveyardworm]

Cheato doesnt need to tumble. Getting it to tumble is all about flow.

Sometimes it floats sometimes it sinks, I've heard theories on why this is but havent seen anything which seemed conclusive, but I'm sure someone knows.

I would loosen it up a bit, this help to keep it from collecting detritus, and will help light to penetrate all the way through.

rodd1rj, that is a neat contraption. So the powerhead is connected in through the jug cap?

 

[scowar]

Hmmm...simple, yet effective little contraption. Even I could make something like that. Going back to the flow question, how much do you guys aim for in terms of turnover going through the sump? Sounds like this stuff likes a higher flow, but if it's used for filtration don't you want a slower flow through the Chaeto chamber so it has time to "cleanse" the water? I guess the higher flow could be achieved with the milk jug contraption rodd1rj posted while maintaining a slower flow through the sump.

What about lighting? Will my 18W 10K PC light be adequate, or is there another spectrum or wattage of light that is more optimal to grow this stuff?

 

[graveyardworm]

Its going to suck up the same nutrients whether the flow is fast or slow, this is going to be more dependant on the growth rate of the plant than the flow through.

If the tank is shallow then 18w 10k might be sufficient, but definately on the low side I would shoot for higher wattage and closer to 6500k if possible. There are PC spotlights you can pick up fairly cheap at most big box home improvement stores. These seem to be sufficient.

Turnover through the sump shouldnt be too high. I cant quote an exact number, but somewhere under 1000 GPH. Depending of course on the size of the sump and how many tanks your feeding.

 

[scowar]

Gotcha, thanks for the responses. The PC lighting is the lighting that came with the EcoSystem Model 3012. Seemed small to me too, maybe i'll look into getting something larger.

 

[Zoom]

The milk jug is to small for a tank that is over 30G you can not get enough Cheato in the jug .
I like mine to tumble i use separate compartment in my sump just for tumbling Cheato works very good i use a eheim 1250 pump to water feed/tumble the Algae.
Take a look.

 

[Capt. Nemo]

How much chaeto would you need for a 55 gal. tank? I'm thinking about getting the medium sized Aquafuge hangon
(19"x 13"x 4.5". Would this fuge accomodate the amount of chaeto I would need for my 55? Thanks,

Gary

 

[Zoom]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9000978#post9000978 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Capt. Nemo
How much chaeto would you need for a 55 gal. tank? I'm thinking about getting the medium sized Aquafuge hangon
(19"x 13"x 4.5". Would this fuge accomodate the amount of chaeto I would need for my 55? Thanks,

Gary

Gary that will do i know a reefer locally he have one on a 65G tank and works very well , He always giving away some Cheato every two weeks to the LFS ...so be ready to harvest.

 

[Capt. Nemo]

Thanks Zoom!

 

[scowar]

OK, back to basics here...I'm noticing everyone with Chaeto runs their sumps BB. My sump is filled with Miracle Mud (from growing Caulerpa perviously), a few pieces of live rock, and various creatures in the mud (snails, little starfish, bristle worms, etc.). Should I be removing all this stuff, or doesn't it matter? One reason I ask is it sounds like I need to get some major flow in there besides the flow through the chamber to get the Chaeto to tumble & move around some (i.e. a powerhead). I cannot do this with the miracle mud in there as it would blow around and make a complete mess.

 

[Zoom]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9012111#post9012111 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by scowar
OK, back to basics here...I'm noticing everyone with Chaeto runs their sumps BB. My sump is filled with Miracle Mud (from growing Caulerpa perviously), a few pieces of live rock, and various creatures in the mud (snails, little starfish, bristle worms, etc.). Should I be removing all this stuff, or doesn't it matter? One reason I ask is it sounds like I need to get some major flow in there besides the flow through the chamber to get the Chaeto to tumble & move around some (i.e. a powerhead). I cannot do this with the miracle mud in there as it would blow around and make a complete mess.

Yes you need to have clear chamber for the cheato to tumble .
You need to be careful how much flow you give the cheato, it can loose the round shape when tumbles and break apart if is to much flow .
So you need to give just enough flow so it slowly tumbles and not break apart and clog all your return pump strainer.

 

[jdieck]

In reality you want it to tumble to keep it clean and for it to receive light on all sides. If you can't make it tumble just turn it around by hand once a week (Bottom up) and keep it loose.