Macro trimming

[mikesmith34]

How often do y'all remove some of the algae from the fugue. Is there a general rule of thumb for this ? Yea I kwow noob question..thanx

 

[nickg]

Seems like weekly for me. My rule is, when it starts growing out of the fuge, like that movie "The Ruins." It deffinatley needs to be trimmed...

 

[mikesmith34]

nickg;902180 wrote: Seems like weekly for me. My rule is, when it starts growing out of the fuge, like that movie "The Ruins." It deffinatley needs to be trimmed...

Tha seems to be the problem. Mine doesn't seem to grow very fast at all. It's been in there since May and really hasn't grown that much. It is the hairy green stuff. Can't remember the name

 

[j_b_]

It's called chaeto, Mike. It may not look like it's growing much, but it probably is. It just keeps curling around itself and the clump becomes more, and more dense, but not necessarily bigger.

Next time you thin it out, take a picture of it every week or two and compare...I think you might be surprised.

 

[w_hartyjr]

Mikesmith34;902182 wrote: Tha seems to be the problem. Mine doesn't seem to grow very fast at all. It's been in there since May and really hasn't grown that much. It is the hairy green stuff. Can't remember the name

+1 mine doesn't grow either,if anything mine might be getting smaller

 

[mikesmith34]

I have compared pics and it does look denser. I guess I thought it would grow faster back when I was fighting a Phos problem. Gfo reactor with the reef oct seems to be getting well under control

 

[tbub1221]

w_hartyjr;902189 wrote: +1 mine doesn't grow either,if anything mine might be getting smaller

This made me laugh , my cheato seemed to do the same , iv had better luck with other macros calurpea mainly.




Cheato I think likes more nitrates , the heavier the bio load the more it grows , also it is a low light algae but with the appropriate lighting it will thrive.
Also if you have too much then it won't grow fast for lack of food , try trimming it and starting up again with a softball size piece , being less there to suck nutrients it will grow faster and be a more effective means of nitrate export.
That's atleast how iv come to understand it , I had the same issues a wile ago and did a fair amount of research on the matter.
Good luck !

 

[mikesmith34]

Thanx I'll give it a haircut and give it a watch