What is chaeto algae in a reef tank?
It grows only in saltwater and is classified as one of the most used macroalgae to purify water in the reef tank. Chaeto is also called as Green Hair Algae or Spaghetti Algae due to its shape. Once you have a look at them, you will notice that grown-up Chaeto algae look like a ball made up of tangled green spaghetti.
Does chaeto remove phosphates from seawater?
Chaeto is a type of algae that is often used in reef tanks to reduce phosphates levels. Chaeto does not remove phosphates from seawater on its own. However, it does help prevent them from accumulating to high levels Chaeto also removes nitrates from the water, which can cause algae outbreaks.
Is chaeto hard to keep?
It is extremely hardy, and can be kept by the novice aquarist. Simply put it anywhere in your system, give it light strong enough to grow nuisance algae and it should be easy to keep. Chaeto grows very quickly under the right conditions once established in the tank for some time.
How to grow chaeto in an aquarium?
You can try to combine Chaeto with nitrifying bacteria, like Nitrosomonas, and Nitrobacter. It is recommended that you use bacteria that are already present in your aquarium, so keep an eye out for it. If you are not seeing Chaeto growing in your aquarium, you can try to add more bacteria. Does Chaeto need light?
Does Chaeto help with algae?
Keeping Chaeto in an algae reactor such as a Pax Bellum ARID is a great way to control nutrients and increase water clarity in a reef tank. It also balances pH by taking up excess CO2 and increases dissolved oxygen. To take advantage of these benefits it is very important to keep Chaeto alive and well.
Do you need to feed Chaeto?
Reef Tank 365 Basic N and P fertilizers would be required to grow chaeto (or really any fast growing green "plant") beyond the capabilities of your system.
Does Chaeto remove phosphates?
Yes, if done right, chaeto is extremely effective at controlling nitrate and phosphate.
Does Chaeto reduce nitrates and phosphates?
Chaeto will remove more nitrate than phosphate but keep in mind. High nitrates are typically considered 20+ while high phosphates are considered 1+. Even though the algae removes more nitrate there is also almost always far more nitrate than phosphate in your tank.
Does Chaeto remove ammonia?
No it does not absorb ammonia. Bacteria breaks down ammonia into nitrite and other bacteria break nitrite down into nitrate. Nitrate is then a source of nutrients for algae and other things.
Does Chaeto raise pH?
During the daytime, the Chaetomorpha will help raise the pH by consuming carbon dioxide from the air. During the night, it might add a bit of carbon dioxide, but shouldn't have much effect.
How fast does Chaeto remove nitrates?
As far as how much nitrate and phosphate drops, it's hard to say. Without knowing what's being put in. If you're adding food and its increasing nitrate by 2ppm a day and your chaeto is able to remove 2.5 to 3ppm per day it's going to take a while to notice a difference.
Does Chaeto absorb nitrates?
Chaeto consumes nitrate, so reducing the amount of Chaeto will reduce consumption.
Does Chaeto consume magnesium?
Reef Chemist It uses many elements, but you will not be able to detect the small amounts of calcium and magnesium it consumes relative to the large amounts in seawater. The depletion of elements such as iron, which are present at very, very much lower concentration in seawater to begin with, can be substantial.
How much Chaeto do I need?
The size of the tank/bin(surface area ) you put the chaeto in matters more than the amount you start with. Some recommend 20 % of tank volume for a refugium. It needs to be harvested regularly to provide room for new growth.
Can I put Chaeto in my display tank?
Yeah, you can grow it in your display tank. Most people don't because its not appealing to look at. All you need is a clear flow through container to put the chaeto in and your tank lights will work to grow it as well. Make sure you put it in a good flow area as it needs to move some from the current to help it grow.
How quickly does Chaeto grow?
Since Chaeto multiplies quickly, you don't need much of it to start. A lump of Chaeto, the size of a tennis ball, will suffice. When you put the ball of Chaeto in the tank, it typically takes one or two weeks for it to grow and cover the tank so widely that you have to prune it.
Does a refugium remove phosphate?
Refugiums and Algae Scrubbers An algae reactor/scrubber or refugium with macro-algae are both excellent options for phosphate control as well. A refugium with macroalgae will remove phosphate, nitrate and other nutrients via the fast-growing macroalgae.
How do I get rid of phosphates in my reef tank?
The easiest and most common way to control phosphate is with granular ferric oxide, a phosphate removal resin, and the most common one of those is Rowaphos. This black/brown substance comes with a net bag, and you put it in the bag, then somewhere in your reef tank, in an area of high flow.
How do I lower phosphates in my reef tank?
If you want to decrease phosphate levels, you can use granular ferric oxide (GFO), which is a phosphate absorber and collector. Adding GFO to your reef tank can reduce phosphate levels in the water and help your aquarium fish survive.
How do you get rid of phosphates?
The most efficient way to get rid of phosphate is to "vacuum" the substrate (as with a Fluval Edge gravel cleaner). This removes more detritus, which helps to prevent the stockpiling of phosphorus via settled particulate organic matter.
How do I grow chaeto for a reef tank?
To grow a proper amount of chaeto for your reef tank, you need to use this formula:
What if Chaeto is not growing in my tank?
If you are not seeing Chaeto growing in your aquarium, you can try to add more bacteria.
Does Chaeto need flow?
As the chaeto becomes heavy with the buildup of minerals and nutrients it will sink to the bottom. The flow at the bottom of the tank is the flow of water that is circulating around the bottom of the tank, not the flow of the water in the main drain.
How much Chaeto do you need to remove the Nitrate?
You need to know that nitrate levels drop over time, and the amount of Chaeto you need to remove depends on the level of nitrate in your aquarium.
Are phosphates bad in a reef tank?
There is a lot of confusion about phosphates in a reef tank. Many people believe that phosphates are bad because they contribute to algae growth, but it is important to understand that there are two different types of phospha tes: orthophosphates and organophosphates.
sailorguy Torch Coral
I'm using one now,it's a specimen container like the ones used at a LFS for catching fish,with a bunch of 1/4 inch holes drilled into it.Seems to work to a degree,you have to play around a little to get some flow through it.You will also have algae grow in it and it does detract from the appearance of your tank.
Caseyds7NY Fire Worm
I had done that for the first 6 mo in my tank. I used an egg crate to make a box for it. It worked great and it fed and provided a home for my emerald crab. The problem I had was I had way to many pods in my tank because of it so I took it out.
Reeron Blue Ringed Angel
The problem I had was I had way to many pods in my tank because of it so I took it out.
yom4 Plankton
I have two tanks; a 29 Biocube reef and a 125 FOWLR and I use one of those suchion cup containers that are designed for a sink in each of them. You can get them in the hardware/plumbing section of Walmart or Home Depot/Lowes. I grow caulerpa in them and it does help keep the tank clean.
stauchistory Feather Duster
I had a similar idea some time ago as well, but was told it was a bad idea.
What is a chaeto?
Chaetomorpha or "chaeto" is a genus name encompassing several species of marine macroalgae. The one most often found in marine aquaria is C. crassa. Macroalgae are "plant like" organisms that are loosely multicellular, many of which are more akin to single-celled phytoplankton than true plants.
What is macro algae?
It's a macro algae that helps remove nitrates and phosphates from the water. Most people keep it in their sump on a reverse lighting cycle as this helps stabilize the PH.
How does Chaeto work?
Though it is seldom mentioned (curiously), chaeto works as an amazing mechanical filter. Its rigid, wiry structure forms a meshy pad of sorts. These tangled bundles are very effective at trapping any suspended particulate matter that gets drawn into the ‘fuge.
Why do aquarists add macroalgae to their systems?
Perhaps the biggest reason aquarists add macroalgae to their systems (especially in planted refugia) is to control dissolved nutrients. And macros do indeed do this well–continuously and naturally. All macros. But chaeto in particular is prized for its ability to rapidly sequester nitrate and phosphate. This is because of its potentially explosive rate of growth.
Can you use Chaeto in a tank?
Of course, refugium macroalgae alone can’t do all of your tank maintenance for you. But used in tandem with a robust clean-up crew that includes copepods, a consistent water change regimen and frequent servicing of filtration devices, chaeto can bring about significantly better water quality and a cleaner physical environment with less “bad” algae.