using chaeto for dummies

[reefdood]

I was wondering if I can simply drop a ball of chaeto n my sump (20 tall), stick a light over it, and be done? I don't want to go through adding a fuge(yet), but I want the benefits of the chaeto taking up any nutrients and thus lessening my algae cycle. I could fabricate a topless box out of eggcrate and secure it in my sum to hold the chaeto so that it won't get sucked into my skimmer or return pump. Also how should I illumnate the chaeto? 24/7? Reverse? Same as tank? Never ran a fuge before so I'm new to this.

Any suggestions or help s greatly appreciated.

 

[tatoofr]

hi,
I have a large clump of it in my sump in a small box inside my sump.
Works great.
Frank

 

[Craig Lambert]

Sure. I use a piece of "egg crate" to section off a space in my sump for a cheato. You can pick up a clip on light holder from Home Depot and install a block of wood to clip it to. Works great.

 

[MrSpiffy]

You've got the right idea. Put it in your sump with eggcrate so it doesn't float around and get sucked into anything.

You may want to light on a reverse-photoperiod to help keep the pH stable, as pH tends to decline after the lights go out. Light helps oxygen exchange, so CO2 tends to build up at night, causing a decline in pH. So a reverse lighting cycle would help reduce that.

You don't need 24/7 lighting due to the fact that chaetomorpha doesn't "go sexual" like other types of macroalgae do (like caulerpa). I keep mine on a reverse cycle and it does just fine.