What to feed chaeto?

suzimcmullen · 04/23/2008, 08:53 AM

I set up my 5 gallon tank with about 6 or 7 pounds of rock, a small ball of chaeto, and some green plant that I forget the name. I have only seen one tiny snail in there so far that came from the live rock. What do I feed this tank? Do I crush some flakes and put them in? Or do I just feed a small amount of phytoplankton?

Also, do I have to have a lot of flow for chaeto? I don't have a powerhead in this tank and only a little sponge filter that's putting some bubbles in the tank. I was leaving it at a low flow in case I want to let some seahorses live in there at some point.

Thanks

Suzi

an411 · 04/23/2008, 09:37 AM

chaeto is used to absorb phosphates and nitrates. SO that is what it feeds off of. That and of course light usually in a reverse time of the regular lights

suzimcmullen · 04/23/2008, 09:40 AM

So if I take some of the water from a tank with fish in it and use that to change some of the water in the tank with Chaeto, the Chaeto will be fine with that? My plan is to add some purchased amphipods and copepods to this tank. So I wanted the Chaeto for the pods to live in.

Suzi

ConsultantERP · 04/23/2008, 10:32 AM

Cheato is a good place for pods to live, but not a food source(I could be wrong, but I don't think so), If you want pods , then a small amount of phyto (1/2 dose at first) will feed them well. As you notice the population growing (and you will only see them, typically, at night with a flash light) then work your way up to the recommended dose of phyto. I have kept seahorses before and adding pods to the tank can only be a good thing. Cheato does not require alot of flow, just some flow. Also, turn it over occassionally , it blocks light and the bottom of the cheato ball can rot. If it grows fast, pull some out and share it with a friend. If you have purchased live rock, you may simply give the cheato tank a few weeks to see the existing pods that came with the rock start to populate.

Check out the Seahorse forum, and this link, its has more than pod info, but has good infor about pods.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...hreadid=135137

suzimcmullen · 04/23/2008, 10:34 AM

Thanks

I just received my tiger pods in the mail. So they are in that tank now. Also, this tank is unique. I have light coming from both bottom and top. So I won't have to turn the chaeto too much.

Suzi

Larah · 04/23/2008, 11:52 AM

My cheato seems to be disappering..
I had a ball now I only have a few small bunches in my fuge..
It's very weird...
I wonder if it could be from adding fresh top off water to the tank through the sump where the cheato is?

ALso, try adding some iron (Kent Iron) to the tank, it's supposed to help plantlfie grow.......

papagimp · 04/23/2008, 11:57 AM

Cheato needs more than just nitrates and phosphates, I"m sure it needs potassium as well, and probably many other trace elements to flourish. Just not sure on what all it needs, nobodies been able to give me that info and I havn't found it anywhere.

Larah, iron can help in some instances, specifically if you have red colored plants/macro growing. They use the iron to help make whatever "chlorophyll" equivelent that red plants have. I forget the specifics.

04/23/2008, 08:53 AM	#1
suzimcmullen Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Midwest Posts: 890	What to feed chaeto? I set up my 5 gallon tank with about 6 or 7 pounds of rock, a small ball of chaeto, and some green plant that I forget the name. I have only seen one tiny snail in there so far that came from the live rock. What do I feed this tank? Do I crush some flakes and put them in? Or do I just feed a small amount of phytoplankton? Also, do I have to have a lot of flow for chaeto? I don't have a powerhead in this tank and only a little sponge filter that's putting some bubbles in the tank. I was leaving it at a low flow in case I want to let some seahorses live in there at some point. Thanks Suzi

04/23/2008, 11:57 AM	#7
papagimp COMAS Rocks! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 8,185 Blog Entries: 2	Cheato needs more than just nitrates and phosphates, I"m sure it needs potassium as well, and probably many other trace elements to flourish. Just not sure on what all it needs, nobodies been able to give me that info and I havn't found it anywhere. Larah, iron can help in some instances, specifically if you have red colored plants/macro growing. They use the iron to help make whatever "chlorophyll" equivelent that red plants have. I forget the specifics. __________________ 58g Softie & 75g Stoney Member, Central Oklahoma Marine Aquarium Society Current Tank Info: 58g Mixed Reef Project - Started June 2011

04/23/2008, 09:37 AM	#2
an411 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Derby CT Posts: 2,861	chaeto is used to absorb phosphates and nitrates. SO that is what it feeds off of. That and of course light usually in a reverse time of the regular lights

04/23/2008, 09:40 AM	#3
suzimcmullen Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Midwest Posts: 890	So if I take some of the water from a tank with fish in it and use that to change some of the water in the tank with Chaeto, the Chaeto will be fine with that? My plan is to add some purchased amphipods and copepods to this tank. So I wanted the Chaeto for the pods to live in. Suzi

04/23/2008, 10:32 AM	#4
ConsultantERP Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Nicholasville, KY. Posts: 199	Cheato is a good place for pods to live, but not a food source(I could be wrong, but I don't think so), If you want pods , then a small amount of phyto (1/2 dose at first) will feed them well. As you notice the population growing (and you will only see them, typically, at night with a flash light) then work your way up to the recommended dose of phyto. I have kept seahorses before and adding pods to the tank can only be a good thing. Cheato does not require alot of flow, just some flow. Also, turn it over occassionally , it blocks light and the bottom of the cheato ball can rot. If it grows fast, pull some out and share it with a friend. If you have purchased live rock, you may simply give the cheato tank a few weeks to see the existing pods that came with the rock start to populate. Check out the Seahorse forum, and this link, its has more than pod info, but has good infor about pods. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...hreadid=135137

04/23/2008, 10:34 AM	#5
suzimcmullen Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Midwest Posts: 890	Thanks I just received my tiger pods in the mail. So they are in that tank now. Also, this tank is unique. I have light coming from both bottom and top. So I won't have to turn the chaeto too much. Suzi

04/23/2008, 11:52 AM	#6
Larah Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Portland, Oregon USA Posts: 1,932	My cheato seems to be disappering.. I had a ball now I only have a few small bunches in my fuge.. It's very weird... I wonder if it could be from adding fresh top off water to the tank through the sump where the cheato is? ALso, try adding some iron (Kent Iron) to the tank, it's supposed to help plantlfie grow.......