Chaeto dying off

[CrisisReef]

Hey guys! About a week ago I started my first stab at a Chaeto refugium. I got a decent light that I will link below. Anyways I put the Chaeto in the back of my Biocube, and I’ve been running the light on a reverse schedule. The only problem is that a week later is has dwindled to about the size of a golf ball rather than the large baseball size I had before. This week my parameters have swung a good bit due to some salinity issues, but they should be stabilizing now. I also know that my tank isn’t starved for nutrients due to some hair algae that’s been growing here and there. I guess what I’m wondering is whether or not this die off is likely from my salinity issues, or if there are any other issues I should look into? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[bhodges82]

Have you tested your nutrients(nitrate and phosphate)?I wouldn't assume that nutrients are good based on hair algae growth, hair algae is the simplest form of algae which is why it plagues many reefers. You mention that the fuhe is in a bio cube, do you have a large bio load?

 

[Luap_Jr]

I think it maybe be because your lights aren’t on long enough compared to your DT so all the algae is growing in your DT rather than growing your chaeto


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[CrisisReef]

I think it maybe be because your lights aren’t on long enough compared to your DT so all the algae is growing in your DT rather than growing your chaeto


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That could be it, my fife lights are on pretty much all night though. Almost 12 hours

 

[CrisisReef]

Have you tested your nutrients(nitrate and phosphate)?I wouldn't assume that nutrients are good based on hair algae growth, hair algae is the simplest form of algae which is why it plagues many reefers. You mention that the fuhe is in a bio cube, do you have a large bio load?

I wouldn’t say large, I’ve got a decent amount of coral, a clown, a lantern basslet and a handful of snails and hermit crabs. Also a tiger conch.

 

[CrisisReef]

Have you tested your nutrients(nitrate and phosphate)?I wouldn't assume that nutrients are good based on hair algae growth, hair algae is the simplest form of algae which is why it plagues many reefers. You mention that the fuhe is in a bio cube, do you have a large bio load?

I do not know my phosphates but I know my nitrates are around 5ppm. I know lots of reefer run tanks at barely readable levels so I would be surprised if 5ppm isn’t enough for a ball of Chaeto to at least survive off of.

 

[bhodges82]

In my experience, reefers that have 5ppm nitrate and a fuge packed with cheato would have 25+ppm nitrate without the cheato. The problem in setting is you don't really have a bio load to support the fuge. You mention a good bit of coral, this is also filtration, coral consumes both nitrate and phosphate just like cheato. In not sure what you are trying to accomplish with the cheato, but your nutrients level(phosphate? seems to be ok without it. What light do you have for the cheato?
Nano tanks are challenging in many different ways.

 

[CrisisReef]

In my experience, reefers that have 5ppm nitrate and a fuge packed with cheato would have 25+ppm nitrate without the cheato. The problem in setting is you don't really have a bio load to support the fuge. You mention a good bit of coral, this is also filtration, coral consumes both nitrate and phosphate just like cheato. In not sure what you are trying to accomplish with the cheato, but your nutrients level(phosphate? seems to be ok without it. What light do you have for the cheato?
Nano tanks are challenging in many different ways.

The reason I started the chaeto is to help with combating algae growth.

Robot Check

This is the light I’ve got on my sump. It’s nothing special but I figured it would do the trick for a small refugium.

 

[bhodges82]

The reason I started the chaeto is to help with combating algae growth.

Robot Check

This is the light I’ve got on my sump. It’s nothing special but I figured it would do the trick for a small refugium.

You may want to try a bit more wattage, 12w isn't going to grow the cheato. If you want it to out-compete the hair algae you might try to find a light with close to the same wattage as your display.

Robot Check

 

[CrisisReef]

You may want to try a bit more wattage, 12w isn't going to grow the cheato. If you want it to out-compete the hair algae you might try to find a light with close to the same wattage as your display.

Robot Check

I was planning to upgrade, but I figured I would just try it out first. Do you think that would be enough of a problem to cause it to die off though?

 

[bhodges82]

I was planning to upgrade, but I figured I would just try it out first. Do you think that would be enough of a problem to cause it to die off though?

Yes

One thing worth mentioning is that your rocks could be holding phosphate and feeding the algae growth.

 

[wake125122]

The reason I started the chaeto is to help with combating algae growth.

Robot Check

This is the light I’ve got on my sump. It’s nothing special but I figured it would do the trick for a small refugium.

I've never had good luck with cheato personally but I ended up switching to an algae scrubber and never looked back. It is much more efficient and easy to maintain than cheato. Well at least in my opinion. It helped to solved all of my algae problems in my tank.

 

[CrisisReef]

I've never had good luck with cheato personally but I ended up switching to an algae scrubber and never looked back. It is much more efficient and easy to maintain than cheato. Well at least in my opinion. It helped to solved all of my algae problems in my tank.

Well thanks for the advice! I’ve got some thinking to do I guess on what’s the best plan of action.

 

[wake125122]

If you do decide to go that route let us know and I am sure we can give you some advice on that as well.

 

[Luap_Jr]

I only have an 8w fuge light but my macro is doing great but I don’t have my DT lights on as long as my refugium but it may be different for everyone


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[CrisisReef]

I only have an 8w fuge light but my macro is doing great but I don’t have my DT lights on as long as my refugium but it may be different for everyone


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Thanks for the input! Right now I think it’s most likely just the stress of the new tank, and the parameter swings that have occurred over the last week. I’m hoping it can stabilize itself before it’s too late.