Can I put Cheato in my overflows??

[LivingTropicals]

As the question says, can I put Cheato in my overflows. I don't have a refugium yet so I was wondering if I can put Cheato directly into my two overflows? I have returns and durso standpipe in each one and there is still plenty of room in there.

Should I?? Thinking of using some to control nuisance cyano on my sandbed until I can get more flow down there. Does it need a lot of light. My lights do shine into the overflows but not directly.

Any input is appreciated. Thanks.

 

[FloridaFishMan]

As long as you can get them light and keep them from clogging the drain than I don't think it is a problem.

 

[ferventforager]

Chaeto does not need intense light, but like any liking photosynthetic animal it does best with the correct specrum. I would not recommend putting it in the overflow. The reason is that it can grow fast and/or get sucked into the piping. This would reduce the flow and could possible casue your tank to overfill and spill onto your floor. if you have a way to contain it in just the overflows then it would probably work. I have used chaeto to export nutrients in a sump and after a few weeks all of my cyano dissapeared and hasn't been back. I do have to trim back my chaeto often and I keep it under daylight 65w pc lighting 24/7.

 

[LivingTropicals]

Durso drains with a custom DIY slotted extension and end-cap. Nothing should clog the drains but cheato and pods I guess may make into drain filter. Not too worried about this as I've seen pods in the tank already. How much light? What happens if it dies off, is it easy to remove? Thanks.

 

[LivingTropicals]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6569250#post6569250 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ferventforager
Chaeto does not need intense light, but like any liking photosynthetic animal it does best with the correct specrum. I would not recommend putting it in the overflow. The reason is that it can grow fast and/or get sucked into the piping. This would reduce the flow and could possible casue your tank to overfill and spill onto your floor. if you have a way to contain it in just the overflows then it would probably work. I have used chaeto to export nutrients in a sump and after a few weeks all of my cyano dissapeared and hasn't been back. I do have to trim back my chaeto often and I keep it under daylight 65w pc lighting 24/7.

Spectrum is 360w of actinic VHOs and 750w of 10K MHs. You might be right it could grow out of control with those lights and definately restrict from entering the durso I guess. I have a ultra high flow sump so putting it there is not an option. Plus no lighting either. Maybe just start with a small bit and keep it manageable. Thanks for your info.