Chaeto color/bleaching?

[Scotto]

I set up a refugium about a month ago and added a big chunk of chaeto. Because of some space constraints under the tank, the light (it is a 75W HD flood lamp from melev's huge thread in the DIY forum) is at an angle over the sump.

What I am noticing is that the chaeto that is getting direct light, where the lamp is about 2-3" over the water surface is turning lighter green, while the stuff getting indirect lighting (kind of behind the light) is vibrant, dark green. Are the lights too close to the water? What is the proper color of the chaeto? It seems to be growing, but I want to make sure everything is OK. The light is on 24/7 if that matters.

Thanks!

-Scott

 

[hmott]

Most macro's will turn lighter with more light and darker with less light. As long as its not turning yellow/brown I think your fine. Cheato doesn't go sexual so you don't need to worry about that, and you also don't need the lights on 24/7, but it shouldn't hurt anything either. Might just want to turn up the flow so it doesn't set with one section directly under the light.

 

[yoshiod9]

with chaeto, usually the lighter green color is the 'newer' growth of the macro....it doesn't really matter if the color is different...as long as it is growing well, it's doing its job! hth