Makeshift Fuge/Chaeto Question

[Subliminal]

Hello,

I recently purchased a zip lock baggie full of chaeto clippings.

I also recently made a HOT filter into a fuge.

Let me explain.

Basically, I have a Emporer 400 HOT filter which I've removed the biowheels, the carbon/sponge inserts, and replaced the spray tubes with hoses that just point back into the filter.

I've pulled apart the chaeto a little bit and filled the filter with it.

I went to home depot and bought a small 9w flourescant light for the top, because my t5s don't sit high enough to shine into the 'fuge'.

Now, I'm wondering if I'm doing right here. Does chaeto need more light than I'm giving it? Also, the light freq. is probably ~3k.

Just wondering if anyone had any advice in the matter. It was kind of a quick decision to do it and i ordered the algae and then when it showed up I just wasn't ready for it.

Anyway, any advice is appreciated.

THANKS!

damon

 

[Samala]

The light source you have is likely to be just fine. I would worry more about the Chaetomorpha becoming a living filter floss and being gummed up with lots of detritus.

This species does best when it is tumbled and exposed to plenty of light on all its strand's surfaces. I would definitely be sure to rinse out the algae in your DIY 'fuge to be sure it doesnt get coated in detritus and to keep it well lit on all the sides.

>Sarah

 

[Subliminal]

So basically my black filter casing with not enough room for the stuff to really tumble and only getting light from the top probably isn't the best idea in the world?

 

[graveyardworm]

Cheato can onle remove as much nutrients as it has mass The amount of cheato in that filter is not going to have a lot nutrient reducing ability. It would be a nice place to grow out pods in the cheato as a small refugium.

Keep the cheato fluffed and pruned, and it should do well.

 

[Subliminal]

Roger that, thanks.

Right now it's kind of stuffed in there. I guess I should pull some out.

Learnin' is fun.

 

[graveyardworm]

There's never any end to the learnin in this hobby.