problems growing chaeto...

[Reeferon]

So I have never had a problem growing chaeto; but I am now.
I think that the problem I am having is related to the shape of the container.
It is a 17"x8"x6"tall container. I have a 65k power compact bulb w/ a reflector on top of it. I thought that it maybe the light so I have ordered a long power compact light fixture that will help distribute the light more evenly. I haven't received it yet; but im worried that it may not even work.

The chaeto doesnt seem to grow at all. It just grows this ugly brown alage all around it wich chokes it out.

Any ideas??

 

[fade2black]

I don't think it would be the shape. Is this container full? Have you tried pruning it back? How old is the original bulb?

 

[Reeferon]

The container is not even close to full. The bulb is new.

 

[fade2black]

What has changed? If it grew fine before, something had to have changed. What type of bulb were you using before this one if it is new?

 

[Reeferon]

ever since i changed setups it hasn't grown well. lately it hasn't grown especially well.

i got the new light today so ill update with the progress.

 

[fade2black]

what do you mean by changed setups?

 

[Reeferon]

i built a new tank, and i swapped out the setup

 

[fade2black]

That could have something top do with it. I would let things settle in before changing lighting and a bunch of other things.

 

[Triterium]

No chaeto growth is not always a bad thing. It may mean you just have little/no nutrients in the water. no big deal

 

[Reeferon]

well the thing is that I have some annoying bubble algae that I have been battling, and getting the chaeto to grow will help me win.

 

[reefgrief]

as odd as it may seem, you might have too much light ? sounds like the chaeto is "sun burned" A high light intensity will actually stop photosynthesis..

Chaeto can grow well under low light intensity, and to a point, actually gets greener as chloroplast density increases to absorb more light.

Watch your Magnesium, iodide (and iron levels), since these are required for chlorphyl production.. ( not sure of levels that are safe though for reef systems)

 

[Shnabbles]

my chaeto turns whitish and becomes brittle.... my mag was very low.... im using a 100watt grow bulb.... could i of sun burned it... or did the low mag kill it?

 

[Logzor]

Doubt you burned it. I have chaeto in my main display growing fine under high intensity lights.

 

[Reeferon]

i think that the problem with my chaeto may be that i have not done a big water change in a while. (Maganesium, iron, and iodine are out of balance.. as mentioned earlier)

I'll try that and see what happens

 

[NanoReefWanabe]

i have grown cheato for almost a year now with no problems and lately have been struggling to keep the hair and slime algae out of it...i had about 5 gallons of it last month now it has dwindled to about a baseball...

it is driving me crazy...i added a mangrove about 3 months ago and i am wondering if the mangrove is out competeing it...i cant see how though...