First time cheato user

[The Professor]

My cheato is growing out of control in my refuge. I think it needs a haircut. What is the best way to trim it down? Is one way better than the others, and what do I use to do it? Thanks for any help.

 

[graveyardworm]

I usually just tear off a chunk, the cheato doesnt seem to mind.

 

[Samala]

Just like David said, its a very forgiving algae and can take some abuse. You can tear off a chunk with your bare hands, or use scissors to do the job. You may also want to 'fluff' up the remaining part of the Chaetomorpha wad to allow the cells at the interior good access to light and nutrients (through the water flow) as well as get out any detritus.

That's just a good general husbandry method for using this algae.

>Sarah

 

[graveyardworm]

When you harvest your cheato dont forget to check it for hithhikers before you toss it. Here's a typical collection of organisms from a handful of cheato before I threw it out. I just put them back in the tank.

 

[plummike]

I try to give my excess algae to others for fish food. The Cheato I tear off and swosh around a little to drop out snails and pods. Usually someone wants it or give to lfs to give/ sell

 

[ClamIAm]

What kind of snails are those?

 

[SeaView]

Dave,

I need to get some of the cheato from your tank.

 

[graveyardworm]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9514975#post9514975 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ClamIAm
What kind of snails are those?

The snails are columbellids.

 

[The Professor]

Thanks for the input.

 

[clevername]

Sweet mother those are some nice clean up crew.

(spoken like a true reefer)