Chaeto

[saltwater]

Is chaeto a type of nitrate reducing algae? Is it easily available at LFS? Is it easy to grow is a sump? (i really cant afford special lighting or anything so would a full spectrum flourescent provide enough light)

 

[Donya]

My Chaeto has done fine under a full spectrum flourescent. More lighting would probably mean faster growth though, which might be needed if you're trying to populate a large sump with a small amount to start with. It's a good nitrate reducer, as are other macro algaes. If your LFS doesn't have Chaeto, you could always ask them if they have another kind of fast-growing macro if you are in need of some quickly. Caulerpa also has done fine for me under the same lighting, although some don't like that genus of macro.

 

[saltwater]

What kinds of other macros are commonly available? and is there any watts per gallon rule for these macros cause the sump i have will have is 29 gallons but will hold 20 gallons of actual waters ( to avoid overflow from the main tank if the pump fails). over the sump all i have is a 17 watt ful spectrum flourescent.

 

[SkiFletch]

Chaeto and Culerpa are by far and away the most common macros out there. They'll grow just fine on a full spectrum compact 18w flourescent, mine do... A fist sized clump will get you started and within a month it'll prolly be as big as your head Chaeto is great, grows fast, doesnt require much, and cultures pods very well

 

[Donya]

I'm still trying to find the wattage of the lights I have...it's not written anywhere on the bulbs unfortunately. 17 watts to 20+ gallons seems a little low to me for fast macro growth, but I could be wrong. I had a 7W on my 5 gallon when first set up, and it wasn't enough to get the macro algae to really do much. Once I upgraded to larger lights the macro went nuts...I'm going to hazard a guess that my current light is probably around 20W on the 5 gallon. I have another of the same type of light on a 12 gallon, and the macro is growing, but not as fast. You could try keeping the macro close to the light source and see if it will do its job that way. It probably won't reach into dimmer areas is the main problem.

Caulerpa species are pretty commonly available. These three I have seen everywhere:

C. taxifolia: http/www.pir.sa.gov.au/pages/fisheries/e...lerpa_tax_1.jpg

C. racemosa ("grape Caulerpa"): http/www.com.univ-mrs.fr/IRD/atollpol/ec...ges/caulrac.jpg

C. serrulata ("Razor Caulerpa" or "Saw Caulerpa"): http/macro-algae.com/Images/Razor.jpg

I have all 3, and personally I think C. serrulata, "razor Caulerpa" does the best under low lighting. Other non-Caulerpa/Chaeto macros I've seen tend to get more expensive. It's probably not worth it to use one of more pricey ones as a test under low lighting.

 

[steelhealr]

Various macroalgaes, under the right lighting and water conditions, WILL reduce nitrates:

Light + C02 --photosynthesis--> glucose

glucose + fertilizer, ie, NO3 (nitrates)----->protein

protein--->building block to increase mass by growth

increased growth---->depletion of nitrates

Chaeto is an excellent 'nutrient exporter' if given good water flow and good lighting.

Although Caulerpa will do the same thing, I personally DO NOT recommend it to the average aquarist because when it goes sexual, it can nuke your tank. Going sexual, in basic terms, happens if the macro is stressed or, 'it senses' it's demise. It will burst releasing spores and all absorbed nutrients into your tank. Signs that Caulerpa is going sexual include a whitish discoloration on the outside. Any macro can potentially do this, but, occurs most commonly with Caulerpa. I would never put Caulerpa in my tank. JMO. SH

 

[saltwater]

hmmm guess ill stick with the chaeto then...... liveaquaria.com sells chaeto for $9 for 1/4 pound, sounds like a good deal to me! Ill upgrade th lighting then too. Does it need any other special care besides high lighting? (ie ferts)

also, chaeto removes nitrates, but according to liveaquaria it removes phosphates as well. Does it remove phosphates well enough to replace a phosphate removal system?

 

[Opcn]

If you are changing your water and doesing enought you don't need fert, but a phosphate removal system might just cripple it, Macroalgea literally do all the chemical filtration you need if you have them in high enought quantities. well, they don't remove particulates but everything else. If I were you I would put the sump on a reverse photoperiod in order to avoid pH swings.

 

[saltwater]

I thought doseing wasnt needed? also whats a reverse photoperiod?

and besides pH swings, what are some possible negative effects chaeto could have?

 

[steelhealr]

Actually, if your chaeto really grows and becomes dense, it CAN begin to act like a particulate filter. It might need rinsing in aquarium water. HOWEVER, if it does well and becomes a haven for copepods, it will most likely take care of itself. Some rotate it for light exposure. SH

 

[saltwater]

Copepods are a good food source if im not mistaken..... if the cheato did provide a haven for the pods, how could I transfer them to my main aquarium? a plankton net?

 

[Opcn]

I'd move the chaeto itself

 

[saltwater]

thanks opcn

 

[Opcn]

You're very welcome.

Reverse photoperiod is when you turn the lights off in your tank and on in your sump then off in your sump and onn in your tank, so durring the night when the tank lights are off the sump lights are on, and during the day when the tank lights are on the sump lights are off.

Also, if you have corals pulling minerals out of the water and aren't useing reef crystalschances are you need to dose.

 

[saltwater]

by reef crystals I assume you mean the instant ocean reef crystal salt mix. is there any difference between the regular instant ocean mix and the instant ocean reef crystals?