Growing Chaeto

[Reef Pilot]

Originally Posted by wingedfish

I would imagine it has everything to do with nutrients. Nitrogen and phosphorous are needed in plant growth. If water and light are met, and your cheato isn't growing, consider it a good thing.

Yeah, but I do have some algae in my display tank. Not a lot, but enough to keep my Lawnmower Blenny, Yellow Tang, and Foxface grazing on the rocks.

So would have thought that means there would have been enough nutrients for the Chaeto. As I mentioned initially, I do have some Caulerpa P. also in the refugium, and it is growing, although maybe not as much as it should either. It is stringy with small leaves, but is definitely growing.

But not my Chaeto.

[AquaticFinatic]

You should be happy that it's not growin. I had some that wouldn't grow but my calurpa is growing like crazy. My nitrates etc are all testing zero so I'm happy. Did I make my point I think I lost it some where lol

[Wayne]

Hum my cheato isn't growing aswell. Assuming it does its natural thing and absorbs phosphates and nitrates should it all be removed before it leaches them back out? Or can it do that?

[wingedfish]

If it dies. The decomposition process will wind up putting it all back in your water. While it is alive, it is growing. A plant needs to carry out it's growing process to stay alive. So as long as it is green, (not dead) it is taking up nitrates and phosphates.

[Wayne]

Hum well thats good news for me! I guess I will leave mine in place for now

[Reef Pilot]

I just noticed that some of my Chaeto is turning a bit white. I assume it is dying.

My nitrate testing continues to show bright yellow, or near zero. Yet I do have some Caulerpa Prolifera growing in the same refugium.

From searching through other posts, I noticed some contain their Chaeto in an elevated eggcrate shelf. I might try that. It would then be closer to the surface where there is more light and water circulation.

[staceyd72]

I have Chaetomorpha and Caulerpa in high flow, this part of my sump has 34x's turnover via powerheads. It's not growing overly fast, then again my NO3 and PO4 read zero on the test kits.

Here is a thread on RC where Anthony Calfo speaks on, in his opinion, the proper way to set up the refugium with the amount of flow and light.

[Reef Pilot]

Originally Posted by staceyd72

Here is a thread on RC where Anthony Calfo speaks on, in his opinion, the proper way to set up the refugium with the amount of flow and light.

Thanks, lots of great reading with that link.

Looks like I am not the only one struggling with growing Chaeto. Seems that lighting does indeed have an effect.

I may try repositioning it on a shelf closer to the surface, and then maybe try changing bulbs, too.

[hillegom]

Originally Posted by staceyd72

I have Chaetomorpha and Caulerpa in high flow, this part of my sump has 34x's turnover via powerheads. It's not growing overly fast, then again my NO3 and PO4 read zero on the test kits.

Here is a thread on RC where Anthony Calfo speaks on, in his opinion, the proper way to set up the refugium with the amount of flow and light.

Very good info on why chaeto should tumble