Brittle, dense chaeto. too much light ?

[monkeyboy321]

Hi from UK.

I run Triton system so chaeto bed is part of their method. I have asked questions on their forum but don't get much help.

My last couple of clumps of chaeto have gone from long stringy loose growth to very dense, curly, brittle growth.

I have heard so many different types of K and wattage bulbs being used on forums so there is much confusion.

I was using a 6.5k 125w CFL actual wattage (600w equivalent) which was recommended by Triton administrator, I think it's way to intense !

I tried a 65w on the next clump and its grown the same.

Will to much or to little light do this to chaeto. I use a canopy reflector about 10" off water, my nitrates are around 8ppm right now with very low phosphates on last ICP

Thx

 

[Michael Hoaster]

I don't think chaeto is particularly picky about light. Brighter light will just drive it faster, which will cause it to soak up nutrients faster. The downside of that is whatever nutrient is lowest, will be the nutrient that limits growth. So, it sounds like a needed nutrient has been used up and needs supplementing.

 

[monkeyboy321]

Thanks for reply. Maybe it's starved of phosphate then. I don't really want to up feeding until the bed is a good size as it will throw my nitrates and Redfield ratio way out.

Think I will try phosphate / carbon dosing very slowly and see what happens as I think my denitrification is not mature enough or has a problem in my tank.

 

[Michael Hoaster]

I don't know what you are doing to limit phosphate, but it's hard for me to imagine ANY aquarium not having enough phosphate. If you feed your tank, you have enough phosphate. It could be a trace element shortage. Iron can be a limiting nutrient. Do you have a trace element bottle from Triton?

 

[monkeyboy321]

Everything is in the Triton bottles for the algae to grow. Iron, iodine, manganese etc plust traces I think.

I do have phosphate but very low. Yellow warning on ICP's. 0 on a Hanna