Chaeto maintenance

[cooper]

Folks:

I have a big chunk of chaeto in the sump. What do you need to do to maintain it so that it functions optimally. Right now, it is a big chunk. Should I keep it big so that it consumes more nitrates? Or should I reduce it so that it consumes more nitrates in order to grow larger?

Thanks in advance.

 

[weaglereefer]

Regular pruning is necessary. A ball of algae that isn't growing isn't consuming nitrates/phosphates. A growing ball consumes the stuff. Many people prune their's weekly.

 

[skriz]

Prune it back. But make sure you don't release it into the environment (pass it onto somebody or kill it).

 

[cooper]

thanks folks. Skriz...can this stuff grow outside saltwater environments?