Will my chaeto grow?

[Mighty Dread]

I just got my first piece of chaetomorpha to go into my fuge. I know it needs phophate and other nutrients to grow but my phosphate and nitrate levels are 0, or at least they are under the measurable amounts for the test kits I have.

Will the chaeto still find some nutrients to grow?

How important is flow on the chaeto? I have read that you want the ball of chaeto to constantly be tumbling around.

What else do I need to know/do?


thanks!

 

[mfinn]

As long as you have fish/corals in your tank and a good light for your chaeto, it will grow.
The flow is a debate that continues. Some people have good luck with tumbling flow and others advocate the reverse.
I have both in different tanks and both work for me.

 

[Mighty Dread]

Cool, thanks!

I will just have to wait and see how it goes. That light that I got as per melev's suggestion sure doesn't seem very bright....maybe its just me.

 

[mfinn]

Well he certainly knows what he is talking about.

I have been using this one with great success.

 

[SuperNerd]

I've used the LOA floodlight with very good results.

 

[Mighty Dread]

I trust the lighting decision, don't get me wrong. Everyone and their mother says that is what they use with great results. It just does not seem at all bright enough. But obviously it works for many people despite what I think it looks like.

...Hey my chaeto came in a pretty compact little ball. Should I "fluff" it up some, or just leave it alone.

 

[mfinn]

I'd give it a little fluff.

 

[Mighty Dread]

...then a little fluffing it will get.

thanks

 

[Boomstick]

That light bulb is available at The Home Depot for like $5 - I am picking one up tomorrow and starting a Fuge in my Sump - I also use the bulbs in my lounge lights, they give out an awesome white light - and save money too (something that is needed with this hobby!!!)

 

[Mighty Dread]

I had a hard time at Home Depot AND Lowe's because hardly any of the bulbs say what "color temp." they are...and the one's that did were way too low for any chaeto growth. I followed a link in one of the many "fuge bulb" threads and bought my bulb online.

Reef on!

 

[bhdmc]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8433080#post8433080 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Mighty Dread
Cool, thanks!

I will just have to wait and see how it goes. That light that I got as per melev's suggestion sure doesn't seem very bright....maybe its just me.

Hi Mighty Dread,

Can you provide me with Melev's website address?

Thanks

 

[Mighty Dread]

Here you go.

http://www.melevsreef.com/

 

[bhdmc]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8512070#post8512070 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Mighty Dread
Here you go.

http://www.melevsreef.com/

Thanks!