chaeto in HOB refugium

ugluk · 02/04/2008, 07:40 PM

I've had my HOB refugium running for about two weeks:

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I bought a baseball size clump of chaeto:

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I have been running the lights for 14 hours a day and the chaeto has grown. I was spreading the chaeto out lengthwise to allow it more room to grow. At first it layed on the bottom but now it is floating to the top:

Ever since it floated up closer to the lights the chaeto up top is starting to turn brown:

My question is should I start trimming out the brown stuff? Should this be happening this way? Is there anything I should be doing to help promote the growth/health of my chaeto? This is all new to me,

Aquarist007 · 02/04/2008, 07:44 PM

brown cheato should be definetly taken out---with cheato it absorbs nitrates and phosphates but they are never taken completely out of the water column until you harvest the dead stuff

Aquarist007 · 02/04/2008, 07:45 PM

that said--it would appear like there is cyano covering it--can you scoop off the brown stuff or is it actually dead cheato

Aquarist007 · 02/04/2008, 07:46 PM

re lighting--what light are you using

I use a 25watt energy saver from home depot--its all I need for great growth

Aquarist007 · 02/04/2008, 07:48 PM

I have been running the lights for 14 hours a day and the chaeto has grown. I was spreading the chaeto out lengthwise to allow it more room to grow. At first it layed on the bottom but now it is floating to the top:

the ball shape is more dense so it sinks to the bottom-- kind of like the floating of a boat

LovinDaReef · 02/04/2008, 07:52 PM

That is a very cool refugium. I'm trying to figure out how it works though, it seems the water line is above the tank's water line, so gravity would pull the water down? Is there a pump involved?

Aquarist007 · 02/04/2008, 08:05 PM

I think he has encorporated the existing pump in the hob filter and gravity feeding back

ugluk · 02/04/2008, 08:36 PM

capn_hylinur: Your right, it was cyano. So I should just do nothing and let it grow out then correct? The light is 25 watts

LovinDaRee: There is a powerhead that pumps water into the refugium. Here is a good shot of the front:

http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewIt...l~vendor~.html

Thanks for the quick replies.

02/04/2008, 07:40 PM	#1
ugluk Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: King of Prussia, Pa Posts: 336	chaeto in HOB refugium I've had my HOB refugium running for about two weeks: [IMG][/IMG] I bought a baseball size clump of chaeto: [IMG][/IMG] I have been running the lights for 14 hours a day and the chaeto has grown. I was spreading the chaeto out lengthwise to allow it more room to grow. At first it layed on the bottom but now it is floating to the top: Ever since it floated up closer to the lights the chaeto up top is starting to turn brown: My question is should I start trimming out the brown stuff? Should this be happening this way? Is there anything I should be doing to help promote the growth/health of my chaeto? This is all new to me,

02/04/2008, 07:44 PM	#2
Aquarist007 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hamilton, Canada Posts: 28,240 Blog Entries: 1	brown cheato should be definetly taken out---with cheato it absorbs nitrates and phosphates but they are never taken completely out of the water column until you harvest the dead stuff __________________ I prefer my substrates stirred but not shaken Current Tank Info: 150gal long mixed reef, 90gal sump, 60 gal refugium with 200 lbs live rock

02/04/2008, 07:45 PM	#3
Aquarist007 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hamilton, Canada Posts: 28,240 Blog Entries: 1	that said--it would appear like there is cyano covering it--can you scoop off the brown stuff or is it actually dead cheato __________________ I prefer my substrates stirred but not shaken Current Tank Info: 150gal long mixed reef, 90gal sump, 60 gal refugium with 200 lbs live rock

02/04/2008, 07:46 PM	#4
Aquarist007 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hamilton, Canada Posts: 28,240 Blog Entries: 1	re lighting--what light are you using I use a 25watt energy saver from home depot--its all I need for great growth __________________ I prefer my substrates stirred but not shaken Current Tank Info: 150gal long mixed reef, 90gal sump, 60 gal refugium with 200 lbs live rock

02/04/2008, 07:48 PM	#5
Aquarist007 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hamilton, Canada Posts: 28,240 Blog Entries: 1	I have been running the lights for 14 hours a day and the chaeto has grown. I was spreading the chaeto out lengthwise to allow it more room to grow. At first it layed on the bottom but now it is floating to the top: the ball shape is more dense so it sinks to the bottom-- kind of like the floating of a boat __________________ I prefer my substrates stirred but not shaken Current Tank Info: 150gal long mixed reef, 90gal sump, 60 gal refugium with 200 lbs live rock

02/04/2008, 07:52 PM	#6
LovinDaReef Moved On Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 267	That is a very cool refugium. I'm trying to figure out how it works though, it seems the water line is above the tank's water line, so gravity would pull the water down? Is there a pump involved?

02/04/2008, 08:05 PM	#7
Aquarist007 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hamilton, Canada Posts: 28,240 Blog Entries: 1	I think he has encorporated the existing pump in the hob filter and gravity feeding back __________________ I prefer my substrates stirred but not shaken Current Tank Info: 150gal long mixed reef, 90gal sump, 60 gal refugium with 200 lbs live rock

02/04/2008, 08:36 PM	#8
ugluk Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: King of Prussia, Pa Posts: 336	capn_hylinur: Your right, it was cyano. So I should just do nothing and let it grow out then correct? The light is 25 watts LovinDaRee: There is a powerhead that pumps water into the refugium. Here is a good shot of the front: http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewIt...l~vendor~.html Thanks for the quick replies.