Chaeto in a reactor

[Bcrowe2012]

Has anyone tried using chaeto in a reactor? I have an extra reactor that I don't plan on using and was wondering if the would work better than just letting it free float in the tank, It may be a bad idea, BUT that's why I'm asking on here before I do it lol.:lolspin:

 

[Dkuhlmann]

I don't think that will work very well and you would be just wasting your money. Chaeto needs a bit of space for movement and lots of water flow and light. If you don't have a sump why not do a HOB refugium?

 

[Bcrowe2012]

I have the space for chaeto. I just have the extra reactor lying around so I wondered if it would work at all. I have a sump/refugium under the tank to hold skimmer etc. I'll just put the chaeto in the fuge space. Thanks!

 

[DamonG]

I have the space for chaeto. I just have the extra reactor lying around so I wondered if it would work at all. I have a sump/refugium under the tank to hold skimmer etc. I'll just put the chaeto in the fuge space. Thanks!

There actually is a reactor that works that way.. But your better off just increasing the light to the cheato.. And it doesn't have to rotate or even move, unless your light is weak..

 

[jgraz]

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2499912

Here you go. Not cheap at all. But i bet this could be DIY'ed cheap

 

[Dkuhlmann]

I agree Damon, chaeto doesn't have to tumble and I'm not sure where that came from. I've got some cheap LED's over my sump and run them 24/7 the chaeto seems to love it.

 

[Fish Keeper82]

I agree Damon, chaeto doesn't have to tumble and I'm not sure where that came from. I've got some cheap LED's over my sump and run them 24/7 the chaeto seems to love it.

The tumbling is simply for light to hit all surfaces of the Cheato for growth. That said, I agree it grows fine without tumbling as long as there is sufficient light IME.

 

[ericarenee]

I would think you are causing more work on yourself then by just putting it in the sump.. If you want to keep it separate they sell these baskets in the pond area at lowes and home depot for a few bucks... my cheato does not tumble and it does fine. But i do turn it once in a while as if you do not the bottom well be come brittle and break apart... The cheato ball in that section of my 55 gallon fuge would fill up a 5 gallon bucket..

 

[Dkuhlmann]

Ya I flip mine over every day when I top off the sump with RODI water. My chaeto is in the first section where the return water keeps it in good flow of water.

 

[Bcrowe2012]

I would think you are causing more work on yourself then by just putting it in the sump.. If you want to keep it separate they sell these baskets in the pond area at lowes and home depot for a few bucks... my cheato does not tumble and it does fine. But i do turn it once in a while as if you do not the bottom well be come brittle and break apart... The cheato ball in that section of my 55 gallon fuge would fill up a 5 gallon bucket..

I do like the idea of a basket to contain it a little better. I just had an extra brs reactor so I wondered if it would do good with more contained direct flow through. I will definitely use the basket though.