Chaetomorpha

[titoav15]

Hey Guys,
I got some Chaetomorpha about 3 weeks ago and I was wondering if there is something that I'm missing... When I got this "ball of grass" it's was like rich green in color. I set it in my sump under a regular 60w CF lamp over it. I still have critters like pods or little shrimp in it but the color of it in some spots faded from rich green to like lime green (but I think that it did expand in size a little bit). Is this normal? I know the thing is not dead but I want to know if it's normal or how I can save it. I had it alternating with light and all last week I left it on for 24/7. Am I doing anything wrong here? I do regular water changes my parameters are fine.
Thanks for all the help on advance!

 

[Conesus_Kid]

Don't worry about it. As long as you're providing it with light (either 24/7 or an alternating cycle), you won't kill it. What you describe is perfectly normal as the chaeto grows.

 

[titoav15]

THANKS Scott!! That makes me feel a ton better! So will the faded "light lime" color turn green or what will happen to it? Can you explain the growing cycle of chaeto since it’s my first one? Also how often should I trim it (I have plenty of room in sum)? It’s on top of a piece of reef bone with low flow but the water has to go through it before going to the return pump. Do you think that it’s worth for me to change the CF to a "daylight" bulb which is 6500k instead of using a "soft white" bulb which I think is 3500k?

 

[titoav15]

bump

 

[tent boy]

That stuff is pretty tough. Some people have left it in darkness for many days and didnt kill it. Nitrate levels in the tank will influence growth. When the blob gets too large just rip off a chunk and throw out or give to someone else. Dont grab it with bare hands as many times there are bristleworms buried inside. Just about any light will keep it alive. I believe that the 6500 would be better. It should darken up in time.

 

[Conesus_Kid]

That stuff is pretty tough. Some people have left it in darkness for many days and didnt kill it. Nitrate levels in the tank will influence growth. When the blob gets too large just rip off a chunk and throw out or give to someone else. Dont grab it with bare hands as many times there are bristleworms buried inside. Just about any light will keep it alive. I believe that the 6500 would be better. It should darken up in time.

x2

I have found that the chaeto will sometimes grow a bit above the surface of the water, and those parts will lighten up/dry out/appear unhealthy, but the bulk of the macroalgae will remain dark green. Like tentboy said, pull a chunk off every now and then as a means of nutrient export.

If your display looks good, I wouldn't worry about the appearance of your chaetomorpha. It's simply a tool (that's tough to kill!).

PG-13 alert:
My wife saw me harvesting chaeto once, and asked me what I was doing with the witch's pubes! :lolspin:

 

[titoav15]

wow I guess I was overreacting, thanks guys problem solved