chaeto ?? whats its cause ?

[tatorswife]

ok so we bought chaeto to put in the fuge..not sure what its cause was but we could not keep it alive..It would just fall apart. Anyone that can help with why we would need it and what is used for we would love to know. As of now we have none and not sure if we need it or not. Thanks

 

[05grandprix]

It absorbs some of the nitrates, phosphates and stuff if I remember correctly so it all want go into display tank

You need a light on the refugium that is opposite of display tank

 

[tatorswife]

We have a metal reflector light from lowes that was right over it on the fuge..not sure it was enough..So it could help with hair algae ??

 

[05grandprix]

Hair algae loves phosphates. So in some cases I'd say yes it helps along with water changes, I believe there is also other products that help I know media reactors help with a lot. Phosban has some good reviews

 

[TheReefaholic]

Yes it absorbs phosphates and nitrates. Also it's an indicator of excess nutrients in your system. In your fuge it creates a great habitat for pods n such. In my personal opinion it's a bandaid or temporary fix for a problem. Eventually it can leech these stored nutrients back into the system. Be sure to trim excess growth and maintain regular water changes. If you system can't sustain it don't freak out. This is a good thing. It means that nutrients are being used in your system and not enought to support it.

 

[tatorswife]

Cool thanks we gonna try the gfo for phosphates n hope that helps w the hair algae

 

[mr.badams]

Have u read up on dosing vodka?

 

[techdiver]

Have u read up on dosing vodka?

There are options such as this. Read this article: Carbon Dosing

And maybe check out this video: Bio Pellets

There are various brands of bio pellets and many sources for carbon dosing. Research until you find the path that you are comfortable with. What works for one person may not work for you. Just make sure to choose your path and stick with the program. Some options require more work, so make sure you can keep up with the program.

Take care,

Tech Diver

 

[SNAKEMANVET]

You got to be careful when doseing any carbon,It can cause more problems than what you started with.I never can keep chaeto,it would always die and fall apart.Doseing carbon,such as sugar vodka and etc will cause bacteria blooms if you dose to much.If interested in doseing carbon go to reef chemistry forum.Have you checked to see where the mag is,should be around 1300 to 1400.

 

[Nanodoc]

Have u read up on dosing vodka?

I run it through my kidneys first:bum:
any particular brand you use?

 

[TheReefaholic]

Try to stay away from cheaper brands is what I've read. Keep in mind that you won't be dosing much at a time and a bottle will last a while. What would you be willing to put in your system? My pick would be Smirnoff.... It's triple distilled. I guess that's just some of the bartender (7 yrs) coming through. I know this should go without saying.....but no flavors BahhaahA.

 

[tatorswife]

ROFL scared of putting Vodka in the tank..Havnt really looked into it yet.

 

[05grandprix]

That's all you need is intoxicated fish and corals

 

[mr.badams]

ROFL scared of putting Vodka in the tank..Havnt really looked into it yet.

Take a look into it, i know how you feel I was not sure about it my self at first. After all the reading i did it seems to be a great way to lower P and N in the water

 

[TheReefaholic]

Take a look into it, i know how you feel I was not sure about it my self at first. After all the reading i did it seems to be a great way to lower P and N in the water

Some people have great results with it!! If it becomes an issue in my tank I will look into it further. Just read a small article on it. Wish I could find it now to link. It actually explained how it regulated P and N. I'll keep looking

 

[TheReefaholic]

I forgot to ask last night but how long of a photo period do you guys run?

 

[tatorswife]

Blue lights come on at 1pm for an hr then all lights come on at 2 til 8 pm then back to blue lights for an hr then led nights come on from 9pm to 10 pm then all lights off

 

[TheReefaholic]

Blue lights come on at 1pm for an hr then all lights come on at 2 til 8 pm then back to blue lights for an hr then led nights come on from 9pm to 10 pm then all lights off

That sounds pretty good to me. I was thinking that you may be runnin too long and that was fueling some hair growth too but that should be fine. Just try the few things we spoke a.b last night n keep me informed. Good luck
How long would u say ur average hair algae is?

 

[tatorswife]

longest we have seen is maybe 1/4 inch if that long..We try to keep it cleaned off pretty good. Gonna cut the feeding and we will let ya know how its going.

 

[TheReefaholic]

That's not bad. I've seen 2 1/2"+ in a friends tank. Yea just an update from time to time. Like I said, with that much LR u should see improvement in a.b 3-4 weeks if feeding cutbacks are done