Chaeto lighting opinion

Tcox · 07/21/2017, 05:36 PM

Hi guys. I am having trouble growing chaeto. I wanted to check with you all to see if you think my lighting is suffient to grow chaeto.

I have a reflective clamp on 60w fixture with the following bulb:
https://www.amazon.com/ABI-Spectrum-.../dp/B00CXT9L1U

I started with a clump of chaeto and over about a month, my chaeto is turning white and dying off. My setup is a 60 gallon that's been running for about 6 months. I run this light setup opposite from my DT with some overlap (14~hours). Any suggestions?

maddmaxx · 07/21/2017, 09:04 PM

from my personal experience with this situation. i tried 4 different set ups using red/blue grow bulbs. all 4 situations the chaeto died off. however, every time i used a CFL spiral 6500k bulb, cheato has flourished and pruned often.. ive seen threads on here where chaeto did very very well under the type of bulbs you posted. but 8 out of 10 ive read, chaeto perished under these type of lights.

go on 1000 bulbs . com and get a good 6500k bulb and watch it grow...hope that helped

Tanthaitrung · 07/22/2017, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maddmaxx

from my personal experience with this situation. i tried 4 different set ups using red/blue grow bulbs. all 4 situations the chaeto died off. however, every time i used a CFL spiral 6500k bulb, cheato has flourished and pruned often.. ive seen threads on here where chaeto did very very well under the type of bulbs you posted. but 8 out of 10 ive read, chaeto perished under these type of lights.

go on 1000 bulbs . com and get a good 6500k bulb and watch it grow...hope that helped

Dear maddmaxx

This bulb is ok?

https://www.1000bulbs.com/product/6765/FC18-MS65.html

How long is your light turned on daily?

What do you think about brown algae growing on chaeto?

Thanks so much

SnoopyDaPimp · 07/22/2017, 10:04 AM

I have used the light in the link below for about three years and it works great. I got it at Petsmart in an open box for $20. I run it for the 12 hours after my display lights turn off.

Marineland LED light

JTL · 07/22/2017, 10:08 AM

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/video/...efugiums-work/

sfdan · 07/23/2017, 12:28 AM

FWIW I can't get chaeto to stay alive under an h380, which I believe is among the most powerful fuge lights. Sometimes it isn't the bulb, but just there aren't enough nutrients/iron/whatever for the chaeto to grow. Tank is happy otherwise though so I don't fret about it. That bulb looks pretty good to me so my guess is it isn't the bulb but something else.

Tcox · 07/23/2017, 12:25 PM

Thank you all for the input. For what it's worth, I went to ace hardware and bought a par 38 LED 6000k. I'm going to see if that makes any difference. Originally I was thinking maybe it was law nutrients but I have minor algae in my DT and I have some random sponges here and there. I would think there is enough nutrients to support chaeto but who knows.

Stickboy97 · 07/23/2017, 05:37 PM

What size tank, how many fish & how often do you feed? Lighting isn't always the problem/solution.

I currently use this mars light on a 105g with 10 fish in it.
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...d7d4bd3d92.jpg

And I trim my chaeto every week.

ca1ore · 07/23/2017, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sfdan

FWIW I can't get chaeto to stay alive under an h380, which I believe is among the most powerful fuge lights. Sometimes it isn't the bulb, but just there aren't enough nutrients/iron/whatever for the chaeto to grow. Tank is happy otherwise though so I don't fret about it. That bulb looks pretty good to me so my guess is it isn't the bulb but something else.

I agree. I have to add iron to my tank otherwise the chaeto won't grow. FWIW, I run the H380 and it grows the stuff awesomely.

Stolireef · 07/23/2017, 07:14 PM

Best fuge light although stupid expensive is the tunze submersible

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

Tcox · 07/23/2017, 08:39 PM

I have a 60 gallon cube and a 25 gallon sump. A dozen or so soft coral/LPS. Two fish: circus goby and yellow clown goby (4 inches total fish) I feed fish 1/4 Cube of mysis about every other day as they snack on pods and I feed my LPS some coral frenzy pellets about every 3 days.

ca1ore · 07/23/2017, 09:43 PM

Oh no, the Kessil H1200 Tuna Flora is STUPID expensive ......

Punchanello · 07/23/2017, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ca1ore

Oh no, the Kessil H1200 Tuna Flora is STUPID expensive ......

Insane money.

On previous posts in this thread, I don't understand why a grow light with enough par wouldn't work.

Reefiez · 07/24/2017, 10:21 AM

i run a crappy no name brand 12W LED strip light over my chaeto refugium (mainly white LED, with a few blues and like 3 reds) for like 40$

it grows chaeto like crazy!

I almost went with double tunze submersible lights, but luckily the LFS was sold out when i went.

on the iron note, what signs will the chaeto show from iron deficiency?

Stolireef · 07/24/2017, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reefiez

i run a crappy no name brand 12W LED strip light over my chaeto refugium (mainly white LED, with a few blues and like 3 reds) for like 40$

it grows chaeto like crazy!

I almost went with double tunze submersible lights, but luckily the LFS was sold out when i went.

on the iron note, what signs will the chaeto show from iron deficiency?

To be honest, it's actually worth the money (and I'm really really cheap). I tend to buy Tunze pumps because they are simply dead on reliable. The light is of the same quality. Grows chaeto like crazy. I'm sure a cheaper light would work well but for things that go under my cabinet, I don't like taking chances.

Tcox · 07/25/2017, 09:51 AM

My 6000k bulb doesn't seem to be doing the trick. I have 0.02 phosphate and nitrate reads about 10. Maybe time to try iron.

Sk8r · 07/25/2017, 02:34 PM

I use a 6500 k Lowes hardware CFL floodlight in a shoplight body.

07/21/2017, 05:36 PM	#1
Tcox Registered Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 149	Chaeto lighting opinion Hi guys. I am having trouble growing chaeto. I wanted to check with you all to see if you think my lighting is suffient to grow chaeto. I have a reflective clamp on 60w fixture with the following bulb: https://www.amazon.com/ABI-Spectrum-.../dp/B00CXT9L1U I started with a clump of chaeto and over about a month, my chaeto is turning white and dying off. My setup is a 60 gallon that's been running for about 6 months. I run this light setup opposite from my DT with some overlap (14~hours). Any suggestions?

07/21/2017, 09:04 PM	#2
maddmaxx Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Jersey Shore Posts: 3,003	from my personal experience with this situation. i tried 4 different set ups using red/blue grow bulbs. all 4 situations the chaeto died off. however, every time i used a CFL spiral 6500k bulb, cheato has flourished and pruned often.. ive seen threads on here where chaeto did very very well under the type of bulbs you posted. but 8 out of 10 ive read, chaeto perished under these type of lights. go on 1000 bulbs . com and get a good 6500k bulb and watch it grow...hope that helped __________________ One Life One Shot Current Tank Info: 40B Mixed reef

07/22/2017, 10:04 AM	#4
SnoopyDaPimp Registered Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Peoria, AZ Posts: 492	I have used the light in the link below for about three years and it works great. I got it at Petsmart in an open box for $20. I run it for the 12 hours after my display lights turn off. Marineland LED light __________________ ( 0 \ l / 0 ) & no tanks for now

07/22/2017, 10:08 AM	#5
JTL Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Venice Island, FL Posts: 2,532	http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/video/...efugiums-work/ __________________ John 100 gallon DT and 50 gallon sump with refugium. Reefbreeders Photon V2+.

07/23/2017, 05:37 PM	#8
Stickboy97 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Conroe, TX Posts: 647	What size tank, how many fish & how often do you feed? Lighting isn't always the problem/solution. I currently use this mars light on a 105g with 10 fish in it. http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...d7d4bd3d92.jpg And I trim my chaeto every week. __________________ DSA 105g Neo Pro

07/23/2017, 12:28 AM	#6
sfdan Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: San Francisco Posts: 451	FWIW I can't get chaeto to stay alive under an h380, which I believe is among the most powerful fuge lights. Sometimes it isn't the bulb, but just there aren't enough nutrients/iron/whatever for the chaeto to grow. Tank is happy otherwise though so I don't fret about it. That bulb looks pretty good to me so my guess is it isn't the bulb but something else.

07/23/2017, 12:25 PM	#7
Tcox Registered Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 149	Thank you all for the input. For what it's worth, I went to ace hardware and bought a par 38 LED 6000k. I'm going to see if that makes any difference. Originally I was thinking maybe it was law nutrients but I have minor algae in my DT and I have some random sponges here and there. I would think there is enough nutrients to support chaeto but who knows.

07/23/2017, 07:14 PM	#10
Stolireef Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Scottsdale AZ Posts: 3,180 Blog Entries: 5	Best fuge light although stupid expensive is the tunze submersible Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk __________________ I want to burn twice as bright and half as long. Oh, and a full tank crash is just an excuse for a new build. Current Tank Info: 125 Rimless Leemar, Apex, Trigger 30 Elite Sump, Vertex 180i Skimmer, 2 X Gen4 Radion XR30W, BM Doser, 2xMP40WES, 2xTunze 6095, Sicce Syncra 4.0.

07/23/2017, 08:39 PM	#11
Tcox Registered Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 149	I have a 60 gallon cube and a 25 gallon sump. A dozen or so soft coral/LPS. Two fish: circus goby and yellow clown goby (4 inches total fish) I feed fish 1/4 Cube of mysis about every other day as they snack on pods and I feed my LPS some coral frenzy pellets about every 3 days.

07/23/2017, 09:43 PM	#12
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	Oh no, the Kessil H1200 Tuna Flora is STUPID expensive ...... __________________ Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs

07/24/2017, 10:21 AM	#14
Reefiez Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 157	i run a crappy no name brand 12W LED strip light over my chaeto refugium (mainly white LED, with a few blues and like 3 reds) for like 40$ it grows chaeto like crazy! I almost went with double tunze submersible lights, but luckily the LFS was sold out when i went. on the iron note, what signs will the chaeto show from iron deficiency? __________________ my reef tank is the best skimmer... of my wallet

07/25/2017, 09:51 AM	#16
Tcox Registered Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 149	My 6000k bulb doesn't seem to be doing the trick. I have 0.02 phosphate and nitrate reads about 10. Maybe time to try iron.

07/25/2017, 02:34 PM	#17
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	I use a 6500 k Lowes hardware CFL floodlight in a shoplight body. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.