Cheato and MacroAlgae

**Deepwater** · 03-05-2008, 08:52 PM

Im looking for as much as possible. Cheato and any Macro Algae (not calurpa*)

How much do i need. enuff to fill a 20 gal tank up with

I have Beer and some zoos frags to trade. Or free if you are looking to rid of it, Please have no pest in your tank , aiptasia .flat worms or thing like that i dont want to infest my main tank.

Thanks

Deep

ALRHA · 03-05-2008, 10:09 PM

i use to throw it out by the bucket, but since my fuge light died, not anymore.
get a good 65k light (i had the 96W PC quad)

OctaviousMonk · 03-06-2008, 01:01 AM

I have some cheato for you and you only need a hand full as it will grow to fill that 20 gal in no time.

**Deepwater** · 03-06-2008, 01:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OctaviousMonk

I have some cheato for you and you only need a hand full as it will grow to fill that 20 gal in no time.

I have more then hand full already

, i want to fill the sump to the max with cheato and other macro algae

johnmaloney · 03-06-2008, 10:09 AM

I got some macros. Lots of different varieties. Are you trying to make like an ugly but efficient sump, or a display sump? I have a lot of reds, lots of stuff they don't sell in the hobby, but they look cool. I am not sure of their filtering capabilities. The tank there in is at all zeros because I have mangroves, so it is hard to tell how they filter.

fritz · 03-06-2008, 11:04 AM

You don't need more you need what you have. What you need is for the cheato to grow. As the cheato grows it uses up nutrients. If you start with a lot you'll have problems as you don't know how much you need. If you add a bunch but don't have the nutrients to feed it, it will die and release nutrients into your system.

The best way to export nutrients is start with a small amount. It will grow to the nutrients available to it. When it stops growing you know you've hit a balance. Remove half of the cheato. That half will then grow some more to use up that gap. When it stalls remove half. Filling your fuge will also keep light from reaching the lower parts and that is bad. Again die off will release what you are trying to remove.

Reefer4life · 03-06-2008, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fritz

You don't need more you need what you have. What you need is for the cheato to grow. As the cheato grows it uses up nutrients. If you start with a lot you'll have problems as you don't know how much you need. If you add a bunch but don't have the nutrients to feed it, it will die and release nutrients into your system.

The best way to export nutrients is start with a small amount. It will grow to the nutrients available to it. When it stops growing you know you've hit a balance. Remove half of the cheato. That half will then grow some more to use up that gap. When it stalls remove half. Filling your fuge will also keep light from reaching the lower parts and that is bad. Again die off will release what you are trying to remove.

Thanks for the info! This is what I love about you!!

You are a fountain of information.

fishkeeper · 03-06-2008, 08:03 PM

thanks fritz thats info well needed

OctaviousMonk · 03-07-2008, 03:44 AM

not to mention mixing algae in a fuge can be disastrous. Find one good one and stick with it. Cheato is known to be good at it's job, easy to maintain and pretty trouble free

johnmaloney · 03-14-2008, 05:28 PM

I have never heard about mixing macro problems. Why is this? I am not doubting you, I just want to make sure I haven't been "getting lucky" with my macro tank. I think I have 8 different kinds in that tank, and it is going fine.

**Deepwater** · 03-14-2008, 05:51 PM

I wanted to get some red gracilia* to mix with my cheato. I would never use caulerpa which can go sexual and mess the tank

chogra · 03-14-2008, 06:22 PM

If I were you, I would just put the Cheato in there, it works great and is pretty much indestuctible, unless of course you want to feed some herbivours.

OctaviousMonk · 03-14-2008, 11:31 PM

Just one small example from wet web media, which is an amzing resource, just do a search for whatever you need info on
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/macralgalgcontfaqs.htm

Macroalgae warfare 10/05/03
Hi Crew! I am discovering for myself the major downside of grape Caulerpa,
<indeed... it has been documented to be perhaps the most noxious of an already very noxious genus of algae>
which doesn't seem to be the threat of going sexual, especially since I pull out from my 'fuge a cup or so every few days.
<correct... the threat of "going vegetative" is easily skirted by interrupting the 3-6 month life cycle by regular thinning>
It's a weed! Some other algae species seem to survive (such as feather Caulerpa and sawgrass) but not thrive. My Gracillaria (Ogo) didn't make it and my C. racemosa also couldn't compete. The Chaetomorpha ball hasn't grown in over two months! but I guess it's doing the job of removing nutrients, don't you think?
<ahhh... not growing but exporting nutrients? How do you figure? Sounds to me like you've made the mistake of mixing algae that too many folks do. They are very (chemically) competitive with each other. Energies used in warfare could instead be used for good vigor/growth. Please have the discipline to use only one algae species proper in your vegetable filter/refugium. Anthony>

OctaviousMonk · 03-14-2008, 11:33 PM

More nutrient export info:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/nutrientcontrol.htm

Macroalgae

Macroalgae play an important role in closed marine systems. They utilize nutrients, such as nitrate and phosphate, which are found in abundance in most aquariums. As they grow, they take up required nutrients from the water column.

The use of macroalgae in marine aquariums is a matter of personal preference, but can provide the hobbyist with an affordable, natural means of exporting excess nutrients from the aquarium. Many hobbyists grow and harvest “purposeful” macroalgae, such as Chaetomorpha, Gracilaria, Halimeda, and Caulerpa somewhere in their systems in order to assist in the control and export of excess nutrients. By carefully cultivating and harvesting the macroalgae on a regular basis, you are literally removing excess nutrients from the aquarium. The macroalgae may be grown either in a separate section of a sump, algal turf scrubber, or even a refugium, depending upon the hobbyist’s preferences.

The degree of nutrient export provided by macroalgae is largely dependent upon the growth rate, density, and quantity of the macroalgae harvested. Under optimal conditions, some species of macroalgae can achieve tremendous growth rates, providing the hobbyist with a wonderful means to export nutrients from his or her system.

**Deepwater** · 03-15-2008, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OctaviousMonk

Just one small example from wet web media, which is an amzing resource, just do a search for whatever you need info on
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/macralgalgcontfaqs.htm

Macroalgae warfare 10/05/03
Hi Crew! I am discovering for myself the major downside of grape Caulerpa,
<indeed... it has been documented to be perhaps the most noxious of an already very noxious genus of algae>
which doesn't seem to be the threat of going sexual, especially since I pull out from my 'fuge a cup or so every few days.
<correct... the threat of "going vegetative" is easily skirted by interrupting the 3-6 month life cycle by regular thinning>
It's a weed! Some other algae species seem to survive (such as feather Caulerpa and sawgrass) but not thrive. My Gracillaria (Ogo) didn't make it and my C. racemosa also couldn't compete. The Chaetomorpha ball hasn't grown in over two months! but I guess it's doing the job of removing nutrients, don't you think?
<ahhh... not growing but exporting nutrients? How do you figure? Sounds to me like you've made the mistake of mixing algae that too many folks do. They are very (chemically) competitive with each other. Energies used in warfare could instead be used for good vigor/growth. Please have the discipline to use only one algae species proper in your vegetable filter/refugium. Anthony>

great read ., thanks for the link

ake