chaeto question???

jun_18T · 02/13/2009, 02:06 PM

how do you guys light your chaeto's???? does it really have to be on a reverse light cycle??? and how long does it have to be lighted???

thanks!

IslandCrow · 02/13/2009, 02:13 PM

It doesn't have to be on a reverse light schedule. That's simply a technique to help stabilize a tank's PH. My chaeto receives light for 12 hours, but anything from 10-16 hours should be fine. For the lighting itself, I use a 26w screw-in compact fluorescent bulb from Lowes (or Home Depot, Walmart, etc.)

jun_18T · 02/13/2009, 02:31 PM

thank you....that's all i need to know

Jason Donohoe · 02/13/2009, 07:27 PM

I light mine 24/7 and it is growing well. My refugium is an old tank with a canopy so I am using a T8 flourescent bulb.

plancton · 02/13/2009, 10:48 PM

IÂ´ve always used a lamp that has 2x11watt t5 bulbs 11000k just because I buy this lamps for really cheap price, the chaeto hasnÂ´t grown but at the same time IÂ´ve never had nitrates or phosphates.

phunkie99 · 02/13/2009, 10:50 PM

+1 for 24/7

IslandCrow · 02/13/2009, 11:11 PM

Chaeto grows best when it's a rest period without light. The 24/7 lighting thing became popular with Caulerpa as a prevention for sporulation (sexual reproduction). That method seems to have transferred to other forms of algae, but it's unnecessary, and probably even detrimental to its health.

MUCHO REEF · 02/14/2009, 06:17 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by IslandCrow
Chaeto grows best when it's a rest period without light. The 24/7 lighting thing became popular with Caulerpa as a prevention for sporulation (sexual reproduction). That method seems to have transferred to other forms of algae, but it's unnecessary, and probably even detrimental to its health.

+1 and you took the words right out of my mouth. The only added benefit of a 24/7 illumination is for harvesting/selling purposes, not saying that's why one would run it 24/7. Chaeto grows roughly 1 inch per day. A light source is necessary for this growth. I've always used it on a RPP to stabilize PH when the tank isn't illuminated. Running it 24/7 won't harm the system, it's just not necessary for the purposes when use it for.

Mucho Reef

reefscape15 · 02/14/2009, 06:33 AM

Chaeto will grow in almost any lighting condition. I used to have a 26watt 65k bulb over my 2.5gal. hang on fuge and now the fuge only gets the light that bounces off the tank from my 250watt MH. The chaeto still grows great, and i have 4 types of calurpa that are competing for space in there as well, and growing good. Also 2 mangroves

02/13/2009, 02:06 PM	#1
jun_18T Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: GTA/Ontario Posts: 146	chaeto question??? how do you guys light your chaeto's???? does it really have to be on a reverse light cycle??? and how long does it have to be lighted??? thanks!

02/13/2009, 02:13 PM	#2
IslandCrow Reef Monkey Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Rockledge, Fl Posts: 5,759	It doesn't have to be on a reverse light schedule. That's simply a technique to help stabilize a tank's PH. My chaeto receives light for 12 hours, but anything from 10-16 hours should be fine. For the lighting itself, I use a 26w screw-in compact fluorescent bulb from Lowes (or Home Depot, Walmart, etc.) __________________ All opinions in the above message should be taken with 35 ppt salt. -Mike C. Current Tank Info: I have a reef screen saver on my phone, does that count?

02/13/2009, 07:27 PM	#4
Jason Donohoe Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Guelph, Ontario, Canada Posts: 638	I light mine 24/7 and it is growing well. My refugium is an old tank with a canopy so I am using a T8 flourescent bulb. __________________ Jason Current Tank Info: 72 gallon bowfront softie tank

02/13/2009, 10:48 PM	#5
plancton Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Mexico Posts: 1,866	IÂ´ve always used a lamp that has 2x11watt t5 bulbs 11000k just because I buy this lamps for really cheap price, the chaeto hasnÂ´t grown but at the same time IÂ´ve never had nitrates or phosphates. __________________ Hansel, he´s so hot right now...

02/13/2009, 11:11 PM	#7
IslandCrow Reef Monkey Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Rockledge, Fl Posts: 5,759	Chaeto grows best when it's a rest period without light. The 24/7 lighting thing became popular with Caulerpa as a prevention for sporulation (sexual reproduction). That method seems to have transferred to other forms of algae, but it's unnecessary, and probably even detrimental to its health. __________________ All opinions in the above message should be taken with 35 ppt salt. -Mike C. Current Tank Info: I have a reef screen saver on my phone, does that count?

02/13/2009, 02:31 PM	#3
jun_18T Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: GTA/Ontario Posts: 146	thank you....that's all i need to know

02/13/2009, 10:50 PM	#6
phunkie99 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 537	+1 for 24/7

02/14/2009, 06:33 AM	#9
reefscape15 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Elmira Heights, NY Posts: 2,812	Chaeto will grow in almost any lighting condition. I used to have a 26watt 65k bulb over my 2.5gal. hang on fuge and now the fuge only gets the light that bounces off the tank from my 250watt MH. The chaeto still grows great, and i have 4 types of calurpa that are competing for space in there as well, and growing good. Also 2 mangroves __________________ A new beginning........... JIM Current Tank Info: 5g standard softie/zoa tank, just starting a 20H