Does chaeto need a dark period?

[shelburn61]

24/7 lighting seems to be the preferred method for growing caulerpa. Does this apply for chaetomorpha as well or does does chaeto need a dark period?

 

[Travis L. Stevens]

A dark respiration period is actually needed for both macroalgaes. It's just lighting Caulerpa 24/7 helps decrease the chance of it going sexual

 

[shelburn61]

Yeah, but 24/7 lighting works with caulerpa b/c it is able to respire in the light. Is chaeto able to respire in the light too?

 

[Qwiv]

Cheato needs the dark.

 

[rp marine]

do they really:\

 

[mskohl]

mine hasn't seen dark in many many months and is growing like crazy.

 

[Limbo]

How this result might relate to growth and nutrient uptake in lit refugia where macroalgae are often grown to export nutrients is not known. However, it is a sign that perhaps continuous light is not optimal, in addition to being more expensive.

Taken from Photosynthesis and the Reef Aquarium, Part I: Carbon Sources (Randy Holmes-Farley)

 

[billsreef]

I find a dark period of least 4 to 6 hours makes the macro's grow faster than 24 hour lighting.

 

[reefworldaq]

Hai Billsreef, Do you know about nitrogen and phosphate concentration of chaeto? thank's
Fandy Sutanto

 

[Qwiv]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8364025#post8364025 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefworldaq
Hai Billsreef, Do you know about nitrogen and phosphate concentration of chaeto? thank's
Fandy Sutanto

There is an article or at least the abstract online somewhere. I remember reeding it. It was a random find, but it was out there. Sorry I can't link you to it, as I didn't save it. I think I was reading up on ATS and adey's work. I remember cheato being pretty good, but not as good as some of the other turf algeas they where using.

 

[billsreef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8364025#post8364025 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefworldaq
Hai Billsreef, Do you know about nitrogen and phosphate concentration of chaeto? thank's
Fandy Sutanto

I don't have anything with concrete numbers that would allow you to quantify the chaeto's uptake. A google search should turn up the article that Qwiv saw and maybe even some more