Unusual Problem with Fuge

freestone · 07/16/2008, 11:38 AM

I seem to have a problem with my fuge. I have had this tank up for 6 months. I added some cheato about 4 1/2 month ago. It seemed to be growing very slowly for a month or so (maybe it was just my imagination). But now it is definetly shinking. There is some of it that is falling off the clump. It looks like its dying off. Maybe this is normal?

My fuge is about 10 gals in my 29gal sump. Not sure of the actual flow, but I would guess its about 200-300gph. Is this good enough flow. I read somewhere that the cheato should be tumbling around in the wall column. Is this true. Do I need more flow thru the fuge from the overflow or maybe a power head?

I have one of those clip on shop/work lights with one of the spiral PC bulbs inside of a flood light shell. I think its like 6,500k.

Advise or comments please. I can post a pic later when i get home

LJA · 07/16/2008, 12:05 PM

I have a similar setup and had a similar problem.

It does take time for cheato to take off and start to suck nutrients out of your water, but it shouldn't take 4 months IMO, more like 1 month.

I would try adding one more of the same exact lights (thats what I use).

Try pulling on the cheato just so its not dense and clumped together.

If you can increase flow, that would be a good thing but probably not required.

Keep a light cycle of 12 hours on/off. And if you want do it reverse of your DT's lights to help maintain a pH balance.

Hope this helps.

freestone · 07/16/2008, 12:27 PM

thanks LJA

When you say more flow...do you mean from the overflow or add a powerhead for circulation.

Pulling the cheato apart makes sence...I'll try that.

Yes, I run about 12 hrs lighting on my fuge...reverse of the display.

LJA · 07/16/2008, 01:54 PM

The whole thing is you want the most surface area of the alga exposed to water and light. I increased the flow by about 100GPH by having my skimmer partially return into my fuge and I immediately saw a difference. You could use a powerhead but I wouldn't, 200-300 GPH is probably enough, just make sure the cheato is constantly suspended in the water and not on the bottom, ideally you would have it "roll" but it doesn't have to.

If this still doesn't help after about 2 weeks, it might just be you have a very nutrient free tank already!

Good luck.

LJA · 07/16/2008, 01:56 PM

Do you get a buildup to detritus on it at all? If you do that may be an indication of more flow being needed.

Allanira · 07/16/2008, 02:37 PM

I'm having the same problem. I have been told by several long timers to keep the fuge light on 24/7. You might want to try that. My cheato is already looking better now that I have started do that. I use to turn it off all the time but now I dont. It only goes off when I do a water change and cleaning and thats for about 40 minutes at the most.

freestone · 07/16/2008, 03:01 PM

currently the input into the fuge from the overflow goes down to about 2" above the sand with a 90 deg elbow. Would it help at all if I raised this up to kinda blow on the cheato.

No, there is not really any detritus built up on it right now.

Should I try to find a different bulb with higher kelvin?

Thanks again for the input.

LJA · 07/16/2008, 04:55 PM

I'm by far no expert but my methods have worked for me. I wouldn't worry about changing your plumbing or anything else drastic now.

I would try what I suggested and wait about 2 weeks and I'm sure you will see improvement.

The reason for a 12 hour cycle is because cheato along with 99% of plants and algae photosynthetic and require processing time (lights off) to metabolize the sunlight into ATB energy for growth. They also derive nutrients from the water such as NO3 and PO4.

I believe the 24/7 light cycle being successful for some people is just a unique characteristic of cheato. It's incredibly tuff stuff that can even withstand long periods of darkness.

If you want some more expert advice, capn_hylinur would be a good resource. Check out his thread here:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...readid=1349443

07/16/2008, 11:38 AM	#1
freestone Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Middletown, New York Posts: 211	Unusual Problem with Fuge I seem to have a problem with my fuge. I have had this tank up for 6 months. I added some cheato about 4 1/2 month ago. It seemed to be growing very slowly for a month or so (maybe it was just my imagination). But now it is definetly shinking. There is some of it that is falling off the clump. It looks like its dying off. Maybe this is normal? My fuge is about 10 gals in my 29gal sump. Not sure of the actual flow, but I would guess its about 200-300gph. Is this good enough flow. I read somewhere that the cheato should be tumbling around in the wall column. Is this true. Do I need more flow thru the fuge from the overflow or maybe a power head? I have one of those clip on shop/work lights with one of the spiral PC bulbs inside of a flood light shell. I think its like 6,500k. Advise or comments please. I can post a pic later when i get home __________________ Scot Current Tank Info: 75g w/ 29g sump with refugium, mag 9.5 return, 2-koralia #3, 1 Koralia nano, EuroReef Rs80 skimmer, PhosBan Reactor 150, T5 lighting:(2) 24w tru 10,000k, (2) 54w tru 10,000k, (2) 54w tru actinic

07/16/2008, 12:27 PM	#3
freestone Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Middletown, New York Posts: 211	thanks LJA When you say more flow...do you mean from the overflow or add a powerhead for circulation. Pulling the cheato apart makes sence...I'll try that. Yes, I run about 12 hrs lighting on my fuge...reverse of the display. __________________ Scot Current Tank Info: 75g w/ 29g sump with refugium, mag 9.5 return, 2-koralia #3, 1 Koralia nano, EuroReef Rs80 skimmer, PhosBan Reactor 150, T5 lighting:(2) 24w tru 10,000k, (2) 54w tru 10,000k, (2) 54w tru actinic

07/16/2008, 02:37 PM	#6
Allanira Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: New Mexico Posts: 293	I'm having the same problem. I have been told by several long timers to keep the fuge light on 24/7. You might want to try that. My cheato is already looking better now that I have started do that. I use to turn it off all the time but now I dont. It only goes off when I do a water change and cleaning and thats for about 40 minutes at the most. __________________ "Why me?" Because I think God has a sense of humor. Current Tank Info: 55 gal fresh, and 55 gal salt with a 55 gallon sump 75 lb LR, live sand, 2 koralia 3s, 2 koralia 2s, 2 maroon clown, 1 green chromis, 1 firefish, 1 starry blenny, 2 red legged hermit crabs, 2 turbo snails, 1 cleaner shrimp

07/16/2008, 03:01 PM	#7
freestone Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Middletown, New York Posts: 211	currently the input into the fuge from the overflow goes down to about 2" above the sand with a 90 deg elbow. Would it help at all if I raised this up to kinda blow on the cheato. No, there is not really any detritus built up on it right now. Should I try to find a different bulb with higher kelvin? Thanks again for the input. __________________ Scot Current Tank Info: 75g w/ 29g sump with refugium, mag 9.5 return, 2-koralia #3, 1 Koralia nano, EuroReef Rs80 skimmer, PhosBan Reactor 150, T5 lighting:(2) 24w tru 10,000k, (2) 54w tru 10,000k, (2) 54w tru actinic

07/16/2008, 12:05 PM	#2
LJA Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 702	I have a similar setup and had a similar problem. It does take time for cheato to take off and start to suck nutrients out of your water, but it shouldn't take 4 months IMO, more like 1 month. I would try adding one more of the same exact lights (thats what I use). Try pulling on the cheato just so its not dense and clumped together. If you can increase flow, that would be a good thing but probably not required. Keep a light cycle of 12 hours on/off. And if you want do it reverse of your DT's lights to help maintain a pH balance. Hope this helps.

07/16/2008, 01:54 PM	#4
LJA Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 702	The whole thing is you want the most surface area of the alga exposed to water and light. I increased the flow by about 100GPH by having my skimmer partially return into my fuge and I immediately saw a difference. You could use a powerhead but I wouldn't, 200-300 GPH is probably enough, just make sure the cheato is constantly suspended in the water and not on the bottom, ideally you would have it "roll" but it doesn't have to. If this still doesn't help after about 2 weeks, it might just be you have a very nutrient free tank already! Good luck.

07/16/2008, 01:56 PM	#5
LJA Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 702	Do you get a buildup to detritus on it at all? If you do that may be an indication of more flow being needed.

07/16/2008, 04:55 PM	#8
LJA Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 702	I'm by far no expert but my methods have worked for me. I wouldn't worry about changing your plumbing or anything else drastic now. I would try what I suggested and wait about 2 weeks and I'm sure you will see improvement. The reason for a 12 hour cycle is because cheato along with 99% of plants and algae photosynthetic and require processing time (lights off) to metabolize the sunlight into ATB energy for growth. They also derive nutrients from the water such as NO3 and PO4. I believe the 24/7 light cycle being successful for some people is just a unique characteristic of cheato. It's incredibly tuff stuff that can even withstand long periods of darkness. If you want some more expert advice, capn_hylinur would be a good resource. Check out his thread here: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...readid=1349443