Search function flaky - why does my Chaeto never "grow"

[KarenLR75]

I've bought Chaeto twice, the first was LOADED with copepods which flooded the main tank and the refugium and made my wrasse and madarin very very happy.

At some point, red slime (due to some lighting and other issues) developed in the sump among the Chaeto and then spread to the tank. The Chaeto just kind of fell apart and in trying to eradicate the red slime (siphoning, water changes, increased flow, etc.), we threw it out.

Started with 2nd ball of Chaeto, not that many pods but we had pods throughout tank still and a mandarin that has also started to eat not only live brine shrimp but also the frozen mysis we feed the rest of the tank (Thank God!). This ball of Chaeto also never really grew.

We are tackling the root causes of the red slime battles we've waged:
1) Water Quality
2) Flow
3) Overfeeding

What do we need to do to get our Chaeto to grow or is that rare and I should ignore Chaeto growth and focus on other areas (I'm ALWAYS focused on eradicating/preventing red slime and other undesirable algae growth.

 

[mcgyvr]

What are your nutrient levels (nitrate/phosphate?)
What type of lighting are you using?
Got a picture of the chaeto in the area?

In general I would expect a ball of chaeto to double in size in roughly 3-4 weeks or less in an established system with a measurable amount of nitrates/phosphates with good strong lighting and adequate flow.

 

[KarenLR75]

Hey mcgyvr - hope your holidays have been enjoyable....

I'm the sous chef in regards to this tank so I don't do the testing but I think I'm about ready to learn. Got my husband several of the Hanna checkers for Christmas. Think he's planning to try them out today (one is for phosphates?)...

As for the lights, we are using um..Aqua Rays? I'm not the equipment person. it's my husband's tank but since I feed them and are here often, I take an interest in the well being and quality of the tank even though i"m not 'in charge' of it. I can get more direct answers though.