Advice for chaeto in Aquafuge

Capt. Nemo · 03/30/2007, 07:41 AM

I'm new to the fuge scene and I need some advice from the experts and those who have had success with keeping this macroalgae in a similar setup to mine. I have a medium sized Aquafuge with the Finnex PC Fixture which includes one 18watt Jalli White PC Bulb. Here are a few questions. Where in this fuge do I place the chaeto. Should it be on the bottom or should it float? Should it tumble or not? How much flow? I had added a Maxijet 600 to the Aquafuge to increase flow around the chaeto, but it caused the chaeto to come apart. Where in the Aquafuge should I place the Maxijet in relation to the chaeto? Should I just use an airstone? The fuge also has alot of nuisance algae growing in it. The chaeto was also turning brown in spots which I thought was brown algae. I thought the whole purpose of chaeto was to eliminate this type of algae. I thought perhaps the light was too bright which would promote the growth of this nuisance algae. The Finnex light fixture came with a moisture plate to be used to cover the light bulb. I didnt use it because I thought this would diffuse the light and that the chaeto wouldnt get enough light. I put the plate on to see if this would work better. I am currently running my fuge light 12 hours a day. Pics of fuge setups , especially those with an Aquafuge would be great! Your help is greatly needed and appreciated!

Gary

barbra · 03/30/2007, 08:34 AM

Doubl post - I posted an answer to this one in the "New to Hobby" section

johno4 · 03/30/2007, 08:48 AM

Whats the name of the thread I am also curious?

barbra · 03/30/2007, 08:54 AM

The same as this thread's name, it's now on 3 forums here.

mpdharley · 03/30/2007, 05:11 PM

It doesn't really matter where the Chaet is in the sump, but you do want to watch the flow through the sump. If it flows to fast, the Chaet won't have time to absorb the nutrients.

If the Chaet is growing well, it will "eat up" the same nutrients as nusiance algae, but if is possible for there to be more excess nutrients than the Chaet can consume, thus allowing other algaes to grow.

As for lighting, there are several threads for fuge lighting, but this is one of the better ones for an inexpensive bulb.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...5&pagenumber=1

I also believe it says in there that you should replace the bulb every 6 months (if it doesn't say, I would). I used to use that bulb (3 of them on my fuge), but for my new tank, I did switch to VHO bulbs. The fuge is 3 feet long.

03/30/2007, 07:41 AM	#1
Capt. Nemo Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,102	Advice for chaeto in Aquafuge I'm new to the fuge scene and I need some advice from the experts and those who have had success with keeping this macroalgae in a similar setup to mine. I have a medium sized Aquafuge with the Finnex PC Fixture which includes one 18watt Jalli White PC Bulb. Here are a few questions. Where in this fuge do I place the chaeto. Should it be on the bottom or should it float? Should it tumble or not? How much flow? I had added a Maxijet 600 to the Aquafuge to increase flow around the chaeto, but it caused the chaeto to come apart. Where in the Aquafuge should I place the Maxijet in relation to the chaeto? Should I just use an airstone? The fuge also has alot of nuisance algae growing in it. The chaeto was also turning brown in spots which I thought was brown algae. I thought the whole purpose of chaeto was to eliminate this type of algae. I thought perhaps the light was too bright which would promote the growth of this nuisance algae. The Finnex light fixture came with a moisture plate to be used to cover the light bulb. I didnt use it because I thought this would diffuse the light and that the chaeto wouldnt get enough light. I put the plate on to see if this would work better. I am currently running my fuge light 12 hours a day. Pics of fuge setups , especially those with an Aquafuge would be great! Your help is greatly needed and appreciated! Gary

03/30/2007, 08:34 AM	#2
barbra Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Va Beach, VA Posts: 1,408	Doubl post - I posted an answer to this one in the "New to Hobby" section

03/30/2007, 08:48 AM	#3
johno4 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 2,526	Whats the name of the thread I am also curious?

03/30/2007, 08:54 AM	#4
barbra Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Va Beach, VA Posts: 1,408	The same as this thread's name, it's now on 3 forums here.

03/30/2007, 05:11 PM	#5
mpdharley Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 1,021	It doesn't really matter where the Chaet is in the sump, but you do want to watch the flow through the sump. If it flows to fast, the Chaet won't have time to absorb the nutrients. If the Chaet is growing well, it will "eat up" the same nutrients as nusiance algae, but if is possible for there to be more excess nutrients than the Chaet can consume, thus allowing other algaes to grow. As for lighting, there are several threads for fuge lighting, but this is one of the better ones for an inexpensive bulb. http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...5&pagenumber=1 I also believe it says in there that you should replace the bulb every 6 months (if it doesn't say, I would). I used to use that bulb (3 of them on my fuge), but for my new tank, I did switch to VHO bulbs. The fuge is 3 feet long.