Chaeto growth help???

[RedSonja]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8691428#post8691428 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ray22
i have been having the same problem ,but i will go one step further . i also have an algae problem in my fuge . i tried a power head in ther e and still the macro algae keeps dieing and there is a gross slime algae on everything . my lights are on for 24hrs. i think i am going to try and run the light for 13hrs and off for the rest and see what happens.. do you think this will help with the algae problem?

I would try reducing the light period, definitely. From my freshwater tank experience, I know that microalgae cannot maintain the reserves through a dark period as well as higher-order plants. (i.e., putting my planted FW tank lights on an "afternoon siesta" schedule helped immensely to eliminate a hair algae explosion). The chaeto will probably grow better with a dark period as well. Sounds like the microalgae is outcompeting the macroalgae if all your other conditions are correct and stable.

HTH

-Sonja