Cheato' health and care

F

Frogspawn

So I've added macro to my sump about three months ago (at least) and haven't really seen any growth to speak of. The cheato' is looking healthy and green all around. It's just not large enough yet to 'help' clean up the excess I suppose. I've heard that once established, a macro fuge' will do wonders for keeping the brown algea off the glass. I'd sure like to see that happen. I still clean the glass every 3 days approx'.

So should I just get a big wad of macro from someone and fill it up or wait it out?

Thanks,
 
Hi,

I had the same type of issue, I went through a bunch of threads and found 2 things that were repeated.
1. Chaeto needs rest time so I went from 24hr lighting to reverse cycle from main tank
2. Increased flow in the fuge area with an additional powerhead

After these two changes my Chaeto growth has really taken off. I would keep what you have, I believe the growth process is the part that takes up nitrates so just having a big ball that doesnt grow, may not help as much. HTH

Cheers,
 
The point of Macroalgae in a Refugium is to utilize the nitrates in the system for growth. If you start off small, adjust your lighting schedule and make sure you have decent flow, your nitrates should drop and your Cheato should take off. If it gets too large, it cant grow preventing the absorbtion of nitrates. This is why you always read about people pruning their Macroalgae. So Just hang in there and as you've mentioned, once you've changed your lighting schedule you should be in great shape.
 
I'd be more realisitic in what chaeto will accomplish. I still clean my glass a couple of times a week, but I have not had to deal with hair algae, red slime or other problem algaes in my tank for years with a relatively small amount of chaeto. I just prune out the top layer that gets a little dry and slimey every couple of weeks. Hang in there, you'll be impressed.
 
It is believed that Iron supplementation helps to feed macro algae growth. said:
I suppose artificially feeding macro to gain initial growth may help. However, after it's established, wouldn't that be a bit of a waste since we want it to pull all its nourishment from the tank?

My 'trates have always been at zero after the cycle so maybe that's a part of it also.

Thanks,
Click to expand...
 
Must be nice, buddy. I'd love near 0 nitrates all the time. Have you posted any pictures of your setup lately? I'd love to see it.
 
I had pretty much the same issue as you. I was running a 50/50 light on the sump, and did not run a phosban reactor. My chaeto was not dying off, but was more dorment.

I replaced the light with a 5,500k light, went to a light cycle of 18 on/ 6 off, and began running twolittlefishes phosban (iron) in a reactor. Its been about three weeks now and my chaeto has begun to explode with growth.

Forgot to mention: Monitor your alk if you use phosban. It will use up your alkilinity.
Good luck,
Tag
 
@Frogspawn wrote:
[quote="It is believed that Iron supplementation helps to feed macro algae growth. said:
I suppose artificially feeding macro to gain initial growth may help. However, after it's established, wouldn't that be a bit of a waste since we want it to pull all its nourishment from the tank?

My 'trates have always been at zero after the cycle so maybe that's a part of it also.

Thanks,"]

Actually, once nitrates approach zero, it is thought that the next limiting chemical is iron- and if you can boost that, macro will grow to meet the demand.
Click to expand...
 
It also seems like there has been a lot of "my chaeto is not growing" lately. Mostly in new tanks...so, that may be another factor.

The first clump I put in my fuge didn't make it either.
 
Have you posted any pictures of your setup lately? I'd love to see it. said:
Not lately. I'll try and take care of that soon for you.
Thanks for the interest.
Until then, here's a riddle for you.

What happens when your Frogspawn gets so big it touches your tenius?
(can I say that?)
See pic for the answer...

Thank Goodness I fragged it before this!
Click to expand...
 
Argh. Yep, LPS and SPS can't touch. And SPS and SPS can't touch either, more often than not.
 
That took less than a day to completely bleach and die.

It had grown about six inches tall three times until the fish would break it off.
Bummer

But at least I kept the frags and they're doing ok.
 
Yep, you can wait forever and watch something grow, and it'll be gone overnight. It can be merely frustrating, or heartbreaking. Depends how much of your soul you poured into that particular coral.
 
My cheato has stopped growing lately. The only change was I took out the reflector bulb holder sold at Home Depot and put in a fuge light (with not reflector). I used to have to trim it all the time. Also I run it on 24 hour cycle but now with the AC3 I'm going to try to go reverse cycle.

Kay
 
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