I just recently discovered my nitrates have begun to climb to around 40 ppm. I decided to section off an area in my sump for some chaeto. I have a utility light with an led 5k flood light. I have the light set to run when the dt lights are off. Any other tips? How quickly will this stuff burn up nitrates? How fast does this stuff grow? And if some bits make it into display tank will that become an issue?
Tips for chaeto?
- Thread starter Jjv123
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whosurcaddie
New member
What kind of flood light? How many actual watts does the bulb emit, not equivalent but actual watts? Might want to think about upgrading that skimmer as well. It will not become an issue if it gets into your display. If its breaking up to get to your display either your water is too clean or your lighting is incorrect and its dying off. It will grow fast with the correct lighting but this shouldn't be your only method of nutrient export. Without water changes you will be fighting a losing battle. Temper your expectations for the chaeto and use other nutrient export methods in conjunction with it and you will have success.
Don't forget to harvest part of the chaeto once a month or when it outgrows the section it resides in, because this is how the export actually takes place.
Don't forget to harvest part of the chaeto once a month or when it outgrows the section it resides in, because this is how the export actually takes place.
Last edited:
mfinn
Active member
I found that my chaeto growth improved when I added a powerhead to my refugium area.
It was said that for best growth you needed to make it tumble, but I could never make it stay that way.
It usually just lodged into a corner and stayed there.
But with the added flow the growth seemed to be better.
My first powerhead was a maxi-jet 1200, but it would clogged pretty fast.
Then I tried a tunze 6045 and because of the design it doesn't clogged as fast.
I figure just about any of the round propeller style powerheads would do the same.
It was said that for best growth you needed to make it tumble, but I could never make it stay that way.
It usually just lodged into a corner and stayed there.
But with the added flow the growth seemed to be better.
My first powerhead was a maxi-jet 1200, but it would clogged pretty fast.
Then I tried a tunze 6045 and because of the design it doesn't clogged as fast.
I figure just about any of the round propeller style powerheads would do the same.
PatW
New member
I made a box using egg crate with zip ties for chaeto in my sump. The flow is pretty fast. I use a 75 watt LED on a cheap flood fixture. It works pretty well.
If you have an over sized skimmer for your system, you can carbon dose to remove nitrates. You can dose either vinegar or vodka. The carbon source will stimulate bacterial growth in the water. The bacteria use the nitrates. The skimmer removes the bacteria.
If you have an over sized skimmer for your system, you can carbon dose to remove nitrates. You can dose either vinegar or vodka. The carbon source will stimulate bacterial growth in the water. The bacteria use the nitrates. The skimmer removes the bacteria.
I was having the same issue and i bought a small ball of Chaeto, less than a month in and i had a buckets worth of it grow in my sump, sold most of it.
few weeks later the same result, its been growing pretty well in my sump.
I run a EShine Aquasun 24x3w LED light over the middle compartment of my sump where my Chaeto is 24/7, in there i also have hairline algae growing, to avoid it going into my display tank i have 3 filters going.
Fist layer is a mesh with Polyester Fiberfill, got a huge bag at walmart for like 8 bucks, i then run some soft of plastic strips all tangled together, these break up bubbles and also trap any algae that gets past the polyester, then i have a Foam Aquarium Filter, this is my last defense before the water goes back into my DT. But as a backup plan i have plenty of Algae eating hermits and two tangs.
few weeks later the same result, its been growing pretty well in my sump.
I run a EShine Aquasun 24x3w LED light over the middle compartment of my sump where my Chaeto is 24/7, in there i also have hairline algae growing, to avoid it going into my display tank i have 3 filters going.
Fist layer is a mesh with Polyester Fiberfill, got a huge bag at walmart for like 8 bucks, i then run some soft of plastic strips all tangled together, these break up bubbles and also trap any algae that gets past the polyester, then i have a Foam Aquarium Filter, this is my last defense before the water goes back into my DT. But as a backup plan i have plenty of Algae eating hermits and two tangs.
