Light / Cheato / Sump Question.

RCBrooke · 07/08/2007, 09:06 PM

Can't get cheatomorpa to grow in my sump.

I have 2 - 18w pc's (5100k) on my sump. Can't even get algae to grow on the plexy. I've gone thru 4 batches of cheatomorpa. Cheato doesn't grow in the tank but at least hasn't died off either. Plenty of algae on the tank glass and several types of macro algae (grape calerpa, and several others) growing, also coralline growing in both tank and sump. I didn't get a chance to test today but last test had nitrates at 25 ppm and .25 ppm phosphate and PH of 8.21 (salifert tests). I can run tests tomorrow if anyone thinks it would make a difference in the advice. I've tried 24hr lighting (quickest die off), reverse of the tank (second quickest) and currently the same as the tank (slowest so far).

So questions:

1) Too little light?
2) Does flow make a difference? Maybe to hi?
3) Should I get & test for Iron / Iodine / Strontium ?
4) Any other thoughts?

Thanks,
Randy

Gary Majchrzak · 07/08/2007, 09:19 PM

is the Caulerpa outcompeting the Chaetomorpha? IMO I would remove all the grape Caulerpa from your system before it causes you a headache.
We had a great discussion on lighting for Chaetomorpha on the URSNY board. Here's a link to a suggestion:

http://www.melevsreef.com/fuge_bulb.html

FWIW Caulerpa does better if the water around it is agitated.
Sr would have a negligible impact on Chaeto growth.
Iron and Iodine can impact it.

RCBrooke · 07/08/2007, 10:22 PM

Tried the unenclosed bulbs (as on Melevs site but a two pack & 26w) on batch 3. I used 2 bulbs in two small reflectors. No luck.

The Caulerpa doesn't seem to be out competing the the Chaetomorpha to my way of thinking. The Grape Caulerpa is on one rock in the tank (so far) and the Chaetomorpha is snagged on a rock in the middle of the tank. A quart bag full of Chaetomorpha in the sump lasts less than a month. I've never had a test come out zero for nitrates or phosphate. I'm removing approx. 1 quart bag of Caulerpa every 3 weeks.

I did check the bulbs that came with my sump - 2 @ 18w @ 7100k.

What do you think, replace the PC bulbs with 5100k or 6500k bulbs?

Gary Majchrzak · 07/09/2007, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by RCBrooke
A quart bag full of Chaetomorpha in the sump lasts less than a month. I've never had a test come out zero for nitrates or phosphate. I'm removing approx. 1 quart bag of Caulerpa every 3 weeks.

this means the Caulerpa is outcompeting the Chaetomorpha

RCBrooke · 07/10/2007, 07:20 PM

I suppose that's true, but I also wonder if the Caulerpa isn't doing so well because the Chaetomorpha is doing so bad. Do you think the die off of the Chaeto is releasing lots of extra nutrients into the water?

I had another thought while at The Reef shoppe today. Could the large flow thru my sump be to much for Chaetomorpha. I'm not really sure how much flow I have but its probibly on the high side. I'd guess 600-800 gph.

Gary Majchrzak · 07/11/2007, 02:20 PM

Chaetomorpha does better if the water around it is moving. I don't think that's the problem here.

07/08/2007, 09:06 PM	#1
RCBrooke Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Lee Center, NY Posts: 211	Light / Cheato / Sump Question. Can't get cheatomorpa to grow in my sump. I have 2 - 18w pc's (5100k) on my sump. Can't even get algae to grow on the plexy. I've gone thru 4 batches of cheatomorpa. Cheato doesn't grow in the tank but at least hasn't died off either. Plenty of algae on the tank glass and several types of macro algae (grape calerpa, and several others) growing, also coralline growing in both tank and sump. I didn't get a chance to test today but last test had nitrates at 25 ppm and .25 ppm phosphate and PH of 8.21 (salifert tests). I can run tests tomorrow if anyone thinks it would make a difference in the advice. I've tried 24hr lighting (quickest die off), reverse of the tank (second quickest) and currently the same as the tank (slowest so far). So questions: 1) Too little light? 2) Does flow make a difference? Maybe to hi? 3) Should I get & test for Iron / Iodine / Strontium ? 4) Any other thoughts? Thanks, Randy

07/08/2007, 09:19 PM	#2
Gary Majchrzak Team RC Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 41,560	is the Caulerpa outcompeting the Chaetomorpha? IMO I would remove all the grape Caulerpa from your system before it causes you a headache. We had a great discussion on lighting for Chaetomorpha on the URSNY board. Here's a link to a suggestion: http://www.melevsreef.com/fuge_bulb.html FWIW Caulerpa does better if the water around it is agitated. Sr would have a negligible impact on Chaeto growth. Iron and Iodine can impact it. __________________ over 24 years experience with multiple types of marine aquarium systems see Upstate Reef Society Forum on RC and FB GOOGLE JUNIOR'S REEF Current Tank Info: 84x24x30 265g reef past TOTM honors

07/11/2007, 02:20 PM	#6
Gary Majchrzak Team RC Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 41,560	Chaetomorpha does better if the water around it is moving. I don't think that's the problem here. __________________ over 24 years experience with multiple types of marine aquarium systems see Upstate Reef Society Forum on RC and FB GOOGLE JUNIOR'S REEF Current Tank Info: 84x24x30 265g reef past TOTM honors

07/08/2007, 10:22 PM	#3
RCBrooke Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Lee Center, NY Posts: 211	Tried the unenclosed bulbs (as on Melevs site but a two pack & 26w) on batch 3. I used 2 bulbs in two small reflectors. No luck. The Caulerpa doesn't seem to be out competing the the Chaetomorpha to my way of thinking. The Grape Caulerpa is on one rock in the tank (so far) and the Chaetomorpha is snagged on a rock in the middle of the tank. A quart bag full of Chaetomorpha in the sump lasts less than a month. I've never had a test come out zero for nitrates or phosphate. I'm removing approx. 1 quart bag of Caulerpa every 3 weeks. I did check the bulbs that came with my sump - 2 @ 18w @ 7100k. What do you think, replace the PC bulbs with 5100k or 6500k bulbs?

07/10/2007, 07:20 PM	#5
RCBrooke Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Lee Center, NY Posts: 211	I suppose that's true, but I also wonder if the Caulerpa isn't doing so well because the Chaetomorpha is doing so bad. Do you think the die off of the Chaeto is releasing lots of extra nutrients into the water? I had another thought while at The Reef shoppe today. Could the large flow thru my sump be to much for Chaetomorpha. I'm not really sure how much flow I have but its probibly on the high side. I'd guess 600-800 gph.