Cheato turning gray.

[billy72]

I received a batch of cheato 5-6 weeks ago. I leave my lights on it for 24hrs. The previous ower may have not.

Ive received a delivery of fish as well last week which has increased my bio load.

I noticed the past three days a portion of it is turning gray/dieing?

Has anybody a reason for this to occur?

 

[graveyardworm]

Have you tested any parameters, how much flow do you have there, and what kind of light? IMO cheato does better with day and night cycle.

 

[billy72]

Low flow as flow goes. Hey Dr Suess

Tested proir to my new delivery.

Results good with salifert test kits. Need to work on phos.

110 watts compact 10k and actnic on a 40 gall. refuge.

 

[graveyardworm]

I cant really comment on parameters, not sure what results good means.

Cheato does like good flow, if you can get it to tumble even better, but not necessary.

Lighting sounds pretty good.

 

[billy72]

Amm.,nitrites, nitrates = zero.

Flow is a mag 18 with 6' head.

Had cheato before with same lighting with no problems 24/7.

Could an amm. spike caused by new delivery of fish cause this apparent die back?

I mean ive had this ball of cheatp for over a month now.

 

[graveyardworm]

Nitrates 0, could be your problem. I doubt an ammonia spike would cause cheato to die back if anything the cheato shouldve had a growth spurt.

 

[Samala]

Give it more flow, and you might want to shake it up at each water change to get rid of any accumulated detritus. Chaetomorpha has a tendency to become covered in debris and biofilms of nuisance algae in low flow refugiums. Too much of this and parts of it that are being smothered for light and other resources will die back.

>Sarah

 

[billy72]

I pm'ed another fellow in which i received a batch of cheato from. His batch appears fine at the moment and he stated it may be getting to much light. Ive dedcided to put lights for 16hrs vs 24. It could simply be this and nothing more serious.

The only way to achieve more flow for my system is to close loop anther pump just for this purpose. Im reluctant to do this until i try the light cut back first and test this.

I feel im using to much elect. already wuth this system

 

[jdieck]

Install a maxijet powerhead in the fuge directed to the Chaeto, cut your lights to 12 hrs.
Rinse the Chaeto at least every two weeks

 

[billy72]

yes the maxi is very practical

 

[billy72]

I have two observations since i first posted.

I see i didnt state that the cheato is replacing grape and prolifera that i currently have. So right now the theres a 50/50 split in the quantities of each. So if the cheato grows ill reduce the other. But right now 1/2 my cheato batch is perishing, breaking apart covering the mud bottom.

Secondly one of the 2 water heaters may be failing cause the water temp was 75 this morning and may have been low for two weeks

 

[jdieck]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9206435#post9206435 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by billy72
I have two observations since i first posted.

I see i didnt state that the cheato is replacing grape and prolifera that i currently have. So right now the theres a 50/50 split in the quantities of each. So if the cheato grows ill reduce the other. But right now 1/2 my cheato batch is perishing, breaking apart covering the mud bottom.

Secondly one of the 2 water heaters may be failing cause the water temp was 75 this morning and may have been low for two weeks

Grape caoulerpa is killing the chaeto.

 

[billy72]

By taking all the nutrients?

 

[jdieck]

By taking the nutrients and by chemical warfare.

 

[billy72]

So its certainly best that i pick thru and remove the grape as best i can.

Cause the grape and prolifera are so intertwined it may be best to rid the whole batch.

The down side is 1/2 the cheato is dieing and i'm removing the caulerpa as well and therefore left with just 25% left in the fuge.

What do you suggest? Just go for a little bit each day over a weeks time or just rid the caulerpa in one shot?

 

[graveyardworm]

Best to rip it out in one shot, and in as large of unbroken pieces as possible. When it breaks it releases caulerpenyne so the less breakage the better, and using some carbon during and after the process is good.

 

[billy72]

I will start the activated carbon tonight.

By afternoon tomorrow i will remove the caulerpa whole.

Ive kept the caul. and cheato separated thus far with eggcrate so it will be one big swipe.

 

[billy72]

There is some prolifera rooted in the mud. do you think it is Ok to leave that for now until I know the cheato takes better, or will that be releasing chemicals as well.

 

[jdieck]

You can leave it.

 

[billy72]

Good , it didn't turn out to be alot anyhow.

I finished about an hour ago.

I believe I removed 99.5% of the grape and 95% of the prolifera. I will keep on that grape where i see it grow. That stuff is a real surviver; it was in the cheato and I couldn't see it until I got in there.

Should I remove the cheato bundle thats dropped to the bottom and dwindling away or just leave it in? Will it pollute the system.