Light bulbs for chaeto

[mitchell.liang.9]

Hello all,

I would like to know what light bulb recommendations do the senior reefers have for best chaeto growth. Thanks!

[shaohao85]

Am not senior here .. newbie too .. am using grow led so far my chaeto been growing really fast ..

Par38 8 reds 4 blues

[mitchell.liang.9]

Where do u get those?

[shaohao85]

I custom made it as I cant find it in any LFS .. PM me if u wan a similar PAR38 grow led for ur refurgium

[mitchell.liang.9]

Wow i suck at diy, now currently using some spiral 23w daylight bulb. Will see the growth, might get back to you if growth is slowwwwwe. Thanks for input though!!

[shaohao85]

No problem ... i have pmed u .. do let me know if u need 1

[RomeoJuliet]

Wow i suck at diy, now currently using some spiral 23w daylight bulb. Will see the growth, might get back to you if growth is slowwwwwe. Thanks for input though!!

It's not so ideal as I use the daylight bulb before . U can get the par38 from mad petz

[mitchell.liang.9]

Par 38 but which kind is ideal?

[xiggie]

You don't need fancy lights to grow cheato .. Just a normal table lamp or normal aquarium fixture with 6500k light bulb will do it.

If you have problem growing them on a 6500k light then you are actually doing something good.

Your actual main display tank/water does not have enought nutrient to support them.

Which is good for corals ..

PS: I use a grow light bulb for cheato , but they don't seem to grow a lot ..!! Hmmm I wonder why..

[mitchell.liang.9]

My no3 at best is 10. Definitely not a nutrient problem. Previously used some cheapo clip on lamp but guess not enough cause i dont see it grow much. Ill prolly play around with some bulbs first.

[xiggie]

My no3 at best is 10. Definitely not a nutrient problem. Previously used some cheapo clip on lamp but guess not enough cause i dont see it grow much. Ill prolly play around with some bulbs first.

You don't see them grow much? .... Exactly how long did u observe them not growing? Days , weeks , months?

[pcw]

Try testing your iron levels. I've been using a par38 grow light and the growth of chaeto only really went crazy after I started monitoring the iron levels.

[mitchell.liang.9]

Time to get a test kit!!!

[bubblefish000]

How to dose iron

[Marshmallow]

IMHO if cheato also need to buy special light to grow, like a bit waste $$. If no grow I think its ok as not to forget this algae is chosen cos of its hardiness and easy to maintain, no grow better since there is no unwanted things to absorb. Just my 2 cents

[mitchell.liang.9]

My tank sure got things to absorb...i got lots of algae here and there...fortunately the live rock i got has tonnes of those slug like snail to clean my glass at night...just that compared to before i added the chaeto there doesnt seem to be any difference in terms of nitrates...good thing is my phospates are zero...so probably im doing something wrong in terms of growing chaeto

[mitchell.liang.9]

You don't see them grow much? .... Exactly how long did u observe them not growing? Days , weeks , months?

At least 2 months. The size of the chaeto is the same. The only difference are those loose strands that managed to anchor itself in my refugium. Those i did see growth but very little. Prolly a few mm

[xiggie]

Could u tell a bit more about the system u are running , reactors with pallets n rowa or just refuge ? I've heard of systems with detectable nitrates that won't go down and po4 at 0.

If I recall correctly , po4 is needed in order to get no3 down , they work together .

[mitchell.liang.9]

My system is very simple. Just filter sock, skimmer, refug with miracle mud live rock and macroalgae. Using red sea coral pro. My nitrates at best is 10. Phosphate is 0. All readings are taken from API. Microbacter 7 dosing everyday. Grotech ABCM weekly. Yep thats about it.

[xiggie]

If you are dosing bacteria everyday , then I would recommend polylab biosphere placed in the skimmer (in a bag at so it don't choke the outlet) effectively removes no3 . Do a search , think there's a thread talking bout this.

[xiggie]

Oh wait ... This thread is about growing cheato .. I'm drifting out if the topic ... lol

[mitchell.liang.9]

Haha np all the help is welcome