Would you trust the “clean cheato” from algae barn?

BrettDS · 03/11/2018, 07:14 PM

So I started feeding a more as I recently added some new fish and noticed that a couple of my existing fish were looking a bit thin. But the reason I had been feeding sparingly in the first place was to try to keep algae under control. Not surprisingly, since I started feeding more I’ve been seeing more algae as well as some cyano start to pop up.

My plan to combat this is to try to get my refugium to be actually functional. Up until now it really hasn’t been doing well. I modified my sump a bit to increase it’s size and got a better light for it. There is some caulerpa in there that has been doing marginally well (although the new light seems to be helping), but I’d really like to get some cheato established in the fuge.

About a year ago I went through an ich outbreak in my DT that required me to catch all of my fish and treat them and leave the tank fallow to get rid of it. Since I don’t want to go through that again I have decided not to put anything that I don’t quarantine first into the tank.

I do have some cheato and a few other inverts in a 72 day quarantine, but I’m only 14 days into it and I’d really like to get some cheato started in the fuge now before the cyano and nuisance algae gets a stronger foothold.

I saw that algae barn ‘clean cheato’ advertised that is supposed to come from clean tanks so theoretically it doesn’t have any diseases or pests. It’s also pretty expensive. Would you trust their clean cheato and put it in a tank with no quarantine or do you think I’m better off just waiting for my existing cheato to finish it’s quarantine?

Imaexpat2 · 03/11/2018, 07:39 PM

I dont put a #$%@ thing in my display tank if it aint been in the QT tank for at least 2 weeks I dont care how "clean" or "Pest Free" someone claims it to be. Why? Cause a ounce of prevention is a lot cheaper than a pound of cure if there even is one. I learned this lesson the hard way a few times over the last 15 years!!!

Stop and think about it...

How much do you have invested in your tank? How much time and money would you be out of pocket if you lost it all and had to start over with a clean slate? Now ask your self is it really worth it?

Indymann99 · 03/11/2018, 07:48 PM

"In God we trust, all others we verify"

Reef noob_ · 03/11/2018, 08:00 PM

I’d recommend just getting chaeto from another local reefer. Cheaper (probably free) and sure to be pest free.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

BrettDS · 03/11/2018, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reef noob_

and sure to be pest free.

no offense to my local reefers, but I don’t believe that’s the case at all. I have no idea what their quarantine procedure is or how well they adhere to it.

Daddi0 · 03/11/2018, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reef noob_

I’d recommend just getting chaeto from another local reefer. Cheaper (probably free) and sure to be pest free.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Some of my local reefer's tank have as many pests as a Tijuana bordello - sorry guys but we know it's true

mav3rick478 · 03/11/2018, 08:29 PM

Didn't BRS use the clean chaeto when switching the 160 to Triton and it still ended up having pests?

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Diana A · 03/11/2018, 08:35 PM

Everything goes into QT...trust no one

tkeracer619 · 03/11/2018, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diana A

Everything goes into QT...trust no one

The truth.

I don't even trust myself...

Dsekula · 03/11/2018, 11:10 PM

I've gotten pods and ocean magic (their photo blend) from algae barn and haven't had issues. I admit that I do run the pods through a sieve and rinse them before they go in my tank so I'd qt the chato anyway tho I'd think there's a decent chance it's pest free.

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Dmorty217 · 03/12/2018, 06:26 AM

You should QT everything... With that being said I have spoke to the people at algae barn several times over the years. They don't have any fish in the systems they grow algae or amphipods in. Also if you don't QT chaeto for 72 days its a waste of your time and I venture to say everyone that commented here doesn't QT for that long, especially a clump of chaeto that cost $10

greg683x · 03/12/2018, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mav3rick478

Didn't BRS use the clean chaeto when switching the 160 to Triton and it still ended up having pests?

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

No I believe they said they used chaeto from another system they have and then said that they SHOULD HAVE used clean chaeto from algae barn

greg683x · 03/12/2018, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reef noob_

I’d recommend just getting chaeto from another local reefer. Cheaper (probably free) and sure to be pest free.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

how many help threads about aiptasia, bubble algae, monti eating nudis, and acro eating flatworms do you think you’ve seen on this board and on other boards around the net. You’d dip a coral before putting it in your tank wouldn’t you?? Why? Because you don’t know what’s living in the previous tank

And it’s not that expensive. $15 for a golf ball size. Yes that’s small but it’ll grow fast, you don’t need 2lbs of it

DarkSkyForever · 03/12/2018, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greg683x

No I believe they said they used chaeto from another system they have and then said that they SHOULD HAVE used clean chaeto from algae barn

Correct.

I had the same issue. Grabbed chaeto from a local reefer, ended up with aiptasia in my 3 year ex-pest free system.

lagatbezan · 03/12/2018, 09:31 AM

Agree with most of the above about qt EVERYTHING that goes into your tank.
however Keep in mind that regardless of how long you quarantine, unfortunately you will not eradicate all parasites 100%. You will take care of ich, brook, velvet, flukes, ect... but sadly uronema can still linger. Thats one nasty bug that does not need a host to survive and can live via photosynthesis.

greg683x · 03/12/2018, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkSkyForever

Correct.

I had the same issue. Grabbed chaeto from a local reefer, ended up with aiptasia in my 3 year ex-pest free system.

It’s not a great look for them to have that happen to a tank they used to show people the correct way to set up and maintain a tank (52 weeks of reefing).

HOWEVER! Their transparency with their viewers gets a lot of respect from me. Not only could they have hid these things but they went out of their way to show us.

It’ll make me trust their recommendations in the future a lot more

aznflyfisherman · 03/12/2018, 08:30 PM

Most LFS i see dont really QT any fish, i know because i been there when the fish comes in n yes they acclimate them n thats about it, goes into the the tank to be sold.

tkeracer619 · 03/12/2018, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dmorty217

I venture to say everyone that commented here doesn't QT for that long, especially a clump of chaeto that cost $10

I do, I have a RSM 130D in the entry way of the house that is used for inverts and coral. Has a masterflex calcium reactor, ATO, LED fixture, and a MP40wes.

I've been "QTing" the current batch of corals for close to a year

DesertReefT4r · 03/12/2018, 10:30 PM

Algae Barn is your best bet for clean chaeto.

jayball · 03/13/2018, 02:54 PM

Yes I would, they have no fish in their system.

Diana A · 03/13/2018, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dmorty217

You should QT everything... ..... Also if you don't QT chaeto for 72 days its a waste of your time and I venture to say everyone that commented here doesn't QT for that long, especially a clump of chaeto that cost $10

I don't QT for 72 days....I do 4 months

03/11/2018, 07:14 PM	#1
BrettDS Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Orlando Posts: 1,109	Would you trust the “clean cheato” from algae barn? So I started feeding a more as I recently added some new fish and noticed that a couple of my existing fish were looking a bit thin. But the reason I had been feeding sparingly in the first place was to try to keep algae under control. Not surprisingly, since I started feeding more I’ve been seeing more algae as well as some cyano start to pop up. My plan to combat this is to try to get my refugium to be actually functional. Up until now it really hasn’t been doing well. I modified my sump a bit to increase it’s size and got a better light for it. There is some caulerpa in there that has been doing marginally well (although the new light seems to be helping), but I’d really like to get some cheato established in the fuge. About a year ago I went through an ich outbreak in my DT that required me to catch all of my fish and treat them and leave the tank fallow to get rid of it. Since I don’t want to go through that again I have decided not to put anything that I don’t quarantine first into the tank. I do have some cheato and a few other inverts in a 72 day quarantine, but I’m only 14 days into it and I’d really like to get some cheato started in the fuge now before the cyano and nuisance algae gets a stronger foothold. I saw that algae barn ‘clean cheato’ advertised that is supposed to come from clean tanks so theoretically it doesn’t have any diseases or pests. It’s also pretty expensive. Would you trust their clean cheato and put it in a tank with no quarantine or do you think I’m better off just waiting for my existing cheato to finish it’s quarantine?

03/11/2018, 07:48 PM	#3
Indymann99 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 2,447	"In God we trust, all others we verify" __________________ 120g DT 100lbs LR / 200 lbs LS, 45g fuge, VectraM1 Return, Herbie drain, 4x RW-8, 2x AI Hydra 26 w AWM, ASM G2, Apex controller, Apex BoB w floats ATO

03/11/2018, 08:00 PM	#4
Reef noob_ Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: holmdel, NJ Posts: 555	I’d recommend just getting chaeto from another local reefer. Cheaper (probably free) and sure to be pest free. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ ________________________ New Build in progress http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2528685 90 gallon DT, 65 Gallon Fuge, Chinese LEDs, LPS and Soft coral reef

03/11/2018, 08:35 PM	#8
Diana A Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: New Jersey Posts: 682	Everything goes into QT...trust no one __________________ diana

03/12/2018, 06:26 AM	#11
Dmorty217 Saltwater Addict Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Vandalia OHIO Posts: 11,624	You should QT everything... With that being said I have spoke to the people at algae barn several times over the years. They don't have any fish in the systems they grow algae or amphipods in. Also if you don't QT chaeto for 72 days its a waste of your time and I venture to say everyone that commented here doesn't QT for that long, especially a clump of chaeto that cost $10 __________________ Fish are not disposable commodities, but a worthwhile investment that can be maintained and enjoyed for many years, providing one is willing to take the time to understand their requirements and needs Current Tank Info: 625g, 220g sump, RD3 230w, Vectra L1 on a closed loop, 3 MP60s, MP40. Several QTs

03/11/2018, 07:39 PM	#2
Imaexpat2 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Chagos Arch. Posts: 474	I dont put a #$%@ thing in my display tank if it aint been in the QT tank for at least 2 weeks I dont care how "clean" or "Pest Free" someone claims it to be. Why? Cause a ounce of prevention is a lot cheaper than a pound of cure if there even is one. I learned this lesson the hard way a few times over the last 15 years!!! Stop and think about it... How much do you have invested in your tank? How much time and money would you be out of pocket if you lost it all and had to start over with a clean slate? Now ask your self is it really worth it?

03/11/2018, 08:29 PM	#7
mav3rick478 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: California Posts: 888	Didn't BRS use the clean chaeto when switching the 160 to Triton and it still ended up having pests? Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

03/11/2018, 11:10 PM	#10
Dsekula Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Sterling Posts: 271	I've gotten pods and ocean magic (their photo blend) from algae barn and haven't had issues. I admit that I do run the pods through a sieve and rinse them before they go in my tank so I'd qt the chato anyway tho I'd think there's a decent chance it's pest free. Sent from my E6810 using Tapatalk

03/12/2018, 09:31 AM	#15
lagatbezan Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 1,109	Agree with most of the above about qt EVERYTHING that goes into your tank. however Keep in mind that regardless of how long you quarantine, unfortunately you will not eradicate all parasites 100%. You will take care of ich, brook, velvet, flukes, ect... but sadly uronema can still linger. Thats one nasty bug that does not need a host to survive and can live via photosynthesis. __________________ Ryan. 300g with velocity t4 for return and a Reflo dart on a closed loop, T5 lights & SRO3000 skimmer. Current Tank Info: 300g

03/12/2018, 08:30 PM	#17
aznflyfisherman Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 957	Most LFS i see dont really QT any fish, i know because i been there when the fish comes in n yes they acclimate them n thats about it, goes into the the tank to be sold.

03/12/2018, 10:30 PM	#19
DesertReefT4r Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Mesa Az Posts: 771	Algae Barn is your best bet for clean chaeto. __________________ Tank history 29g tropical ,55g cichlid tank, 20H softy reef, 29g mixed reef, 20H brackish goby & puffer tank, 55g mixed reef, 6g Nanocube softy lps reef, 40B sps reef, 75g sps reef, 75g sps reef in bu Current Tank Info: 75g sps reef build in the works.

03/13/2018, 02:54 PM	#20
jayball Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,671	Yes I would, they have no fish in their system.