How much macro should be in my fug

[Spechty37]

Hello I was wondering how much macro to have in my fug I started with a little ball of cheato and a few leafs of caulapra and now my fug is packed full. Is more better or can you have to much

 

[Mebbid]

I usually let my macros grow to fill up the available space and then pull all but about 1/3 of it out. They will grow too dense and light won't be able to easily reach it all so there is definitely a limit to the amount you should keep.

 

[melosu58]

The problem with calerpa is the lighting needs to be opposite the DT lighting or needs to be on 24/7. Also the calerpa needs to be thined out every so often. If these are not done the calerpa can go sexual and cause your water to be milky looking.

 

[Spechty37]

I do keep the light on in the sump 24/7. And I also think your right about it getting so thick that the light doesn't penetrate it that is something that I didn't think about and is probably happening in my sump now because my fug is packed. I guess I will thin it out tomorrow. How do you thin cheato it's kinda all intertwined like a ball do I just cut a piece off to keep and throw the rest away

 

[Gregcoyote]

Like a ball of yarn, just grab a handful and it can be cut with scissors or just ripped apart. I usually go crazy and harvest about 3/4 of it at a time, it just grows back faster and absorbs more nutrients I want to get rid of. Don't let it grow too packed, as mentioned that can cause problems you don't need.