Macro Algae

[allan]

Quick question although I think I may have already come to a conclusion myself.

In my fuge I keep what used to be a small handful of Chaeto (Thanks Mr. Cob) that has grown to a rather large mat. Full of pods and inundated with those tiny bristle star fish creatures.

Lately I've noticed, that although there is new growth, it hasn't been growing like it once did. And the large portion of it seems... well, dirty? Brittle? It falls apart when examining it.

I think it's because I don't have it near the top and tumbling in the current but rather it sits at the bottom where I am sure flow isn't strong.

Does this sound reasonable? I have a PC and a HD flood lamp on the fuge. I use the latter intermittently as it tends to raise my temperature past 80 within a few hours. The PC stays on 24/7.

0/0/10-20

[ballardjr2000]

MY macro spins in the flow near the top and i have doubled my growth on it speaking of which i have to trim it yet again. i think that might be the problem.

[allan]

Yeah, I was doing some research on Chaeto and discovered recently that it likes the high flow and tumbling action. Not sure I will be able to get it to tumble though...

[ballardjr2000]

I have a bare bottom. so i don't have anything to stop it etc. just more flow i think will help.

[Ping]

It does not need to tumble, it just needs to be thinned out. It needs more flow and light. Harvest some and the remaining will become healthier looking.

[Squiers007]

If you do decide to thin it out I could use a handful for my fuge. PM me if you dont have anyone else that wants it. Thanks.

[ballardjr2000]

PM sent

[corydrysdale]

I have miracle mud in my fuge along with chato and some calerpa. It doesn't spin but i have a Rio pump that pushes a fair bit of water thru it.
About every month or so i have to cut a big chunk off and let it float in my tank. Tons of brittle worms and pods come our and hit the sand bed running for their lives. Jason at aquarium designs sometimes buys my excess chato so i dont just throw it out. As for what's left in my fuge i just pull it to thin it out and let it start growing again.

[allan]

I think my problem is that I don't have any faith that it will grow back. I do have to let some go although I have sooo much room in my fuge for the algae that it appears that the tank is empty.

[justahobby]

If you have the room you can always split the chaeto ball up. That way you aren't throwing any out, but the entire algae gets light.

[jay3]

Thinning it will definately help. Did you change the lighting on your 'fuge recently? Sometimes a change in pectrum will calso cause the slowing of macro algea growth.