Cheato questions

[Engloid]

My chaeto always has a lot of white stuff in it, almost like big dandruff or something. I don't know what it is.

It also doesn't seem to be growing well. I have two coralife 24" power compacts on it now, but not sure if the bulbs need replacing. I hear that 6700k bulbs will be best for it. Do these bulbs need to be replaced more often, or is it a lot more forgiving since I'm just growing chaeto?

 

[macclellan]

Chaeto needs some nutrients to grow (nitrates, phosphates, iron, etc.) in addition to lighting. How clean is your water column? If it's growing some, don't worry about it.

No idea on your dandruff issue.

 

[DevinWolfe]

I use the 60W equivalent (~15W) "Daylight" incandescent-compact-fluorescent (the "spirally" ones) on my refugium.

On my BC-29 I use a smaller wattage/size bulb of the same type shining through the back into the built in refugium.

My Chaeto grows pretty slow, but is definitely growing. I just added some "Shaving Brush" macro to my 75 (fuge) last week and have been waiting to see how it fairs.

 

[Engloid]

Chaeto needs some nutrients to grow (nitrates, phosphates, iron, etc.) in addition to lighting. How clean is your water column? If it's growing some, don't worry about it.

It seems to be shrinking, actually. Maybe my water is too clean without enough phosphates and nitrates. I guess it is, in a way, slimilar to a bacterial colony....it will only grow so big, based on the nutrients it gets. I may find that it shrinks down to a point that it will sustain itself and stays there. Make sense?

 

[macclellan]

If it shrinks, that is decomposition = putting nutrients INTO your water, which is the exact opposite of what macroalgae in a refugium is for.

How long has it been there for?

 

[GPhiAce]

It seems to be shrinking, actually. Maybe my water is too clean without enough phosphates and nitrates. I guess it is, in a way, slimilar to a bacterial colony....it will only grow so big, based on the nutrients it gets. I may find that it shrinks down to a point that it will sustain itself and stays there. Make sense?

I doubt if your water is too clean. Not doubting your skill, but having 0 nitrates and 0 phosphates is........ HARD if you have any type of bioload. Have you checked them lately? I would bet that your CF are not putting out enough light. You may want to look into the daylight spot flood lights ($10). They will be more energy efficient and last longer than the CF.

Like Joel said, if it is shrinking/decomposing, then it is most likely adding nutrients to your system.

Mine picked up "dandruff" like stuff when the water rate through the fuge was too low and the lighting was too low. I increased the lighting to the spot flood light, and gave the chaeto ball a few shakes every once and a while. The "dandruff" went away, and chaeto started growing. I think it was just detritus that made it past my skimmer. It may also be something growing in your chaeto. A pic could help

1. Check Nitrates and/or phosphates, Mag- if measurable, then
2. Replace bulbs/get new lighting and
3. give the chaeto a shake.

The middle of the chaeto can die and you can have die off, but this does not sound like that.

 

[Engloid]

If it shrinks, that is decomposition = putting nutrients INTO your water, which is the exact opposite of what macroalgae in a refugium is for.

How long has it been there for?

Probably had chaeto for about 3-4 months.

I doubt if your water is too clean. Not doubting your skill, but having 0 nitrates and 0 phosphates is........ HARD if you have any type of bioload. Have you checked them lately? I would bet that your CF are not putting out enough light. You may want to look into the daylight spot flood lights ($10). They will be more energy efficient and last longer than the CF.

Like Joel said, if it is shrinking/decomposing, then it is most likely adding nutrients to your system.

Mine picked up "dandruff" like stuff when the water rate through the fuge was too low and the lighting was too low. I increased the lighting to the spot flood light, and gave the chaeto ball a few shakes every once and a while. The "dandruff" went away, and chaeto started growing. I think it was just detritus that made it past my skimmer. It may also be something growing in your chaeto. A pic could help

1. Check Nitrates and/or phosphates, Mag- if measurable, then
2. Replace bulbs/get new lighting and
3. give the chaeto a shake.

The middle of the chaeto can die and you can have die off, but this does not sound like that.

I'm willing to look into different light options, that's for sure. The CF bulbs are rediculously expensive. They're 65watt and I'm unable to find them for less than about $45 each. The flood lights...what type of bulb? Won't it put a lot more heat into the sump? I'm already pressing the limit of temperature without running a chiller.

 

[Engloid]

oh, and I do need to get a Salifert Phosphate test. The API kit I have is horrible. You can move the tube side to side and make it any shade you want it to be, based on the location of the light source.

 

[planejane]

Before I got the LED grow lights, I used one of those spot light with the aluminium reflectors, clip on hanger- cheap thing from HD--with a 16w =50w (I think) bulb. Works great.