Chaetomorpha Algae

[Drewbie]

I have a 75 gallon with no ref/sump but I have heard this stuff is great for your tank.

Any suggestions on adding it?

how would you go about doing it.

 

[melosu58]

Are you having problems with nitrates or phosphates. I have calerpa in my refugium. IMO a better exporter of excessive nutrients but a little more riskier also.

 

[Drewbie]

i don't have a phosphate test kit yet (i know I added to the must have sooner then list) but based on my alage bloom and a lack of nitrates in the water I am guessing I do have a phosphate problem.

I also understand that it is just good to have but I want to go with Chaetomorpha Algae cause it is less risky I heard with sexing calerpa can dumb all its excessive nutrients and lead to spikes.

 

[melosu58]

Yes that`s why it`s riskier. I have mine in a fuge with the lighting on 24/7 and contantly keep it pruned. No problem yet under those conditions.

 

[Drewbie]

so how would I keep Chaetomorpha Algae in a 75 gallon with no sump / ref?

 

[thincat]

Add it to the tank unless you have Tangs.. They would love to eat that stuff.

 

[Ziggy953]

I have seen people make a basket out of plastic mesh and keep the cheato in it behind their rockwork. The best place for any macro algae is a refugium. Depending on the amount of flow you have in your tank you may find the cheato floating around the tank and could get stuck in a power head. It doesn't root like other macro so it will be free floating in the tank.