Any benefit??

My water has always tested at 0 nitrates and now is at 0 phosphates since I got the brs dual reactor and am running gfo and carbon. I did have a problem with bryopsis but that was before I got the reactor and I have since gotten rid of it with tech m.

I use salifert test kits by the way...

I was wanting to put chaeto in my sump but am now seriously questioning myself as to whether there's any point ... if I'm correct in my thinking, it may not have much to live on then will break apart and clog all my pumps..


I also understand that most people would agree even though the test says 0 it's never really true as things may be using it up, but that should mean it's low enough to not be a problem, correct?

So, do you think I should still use it? Would there be any benefit, or is it mainly to help people who have problems keeping their nitrates/phosphates low? If it dies and breaks apart is it likely to make it through my bubble trap and to the return pump?

 

Also, my aqua c remora skimmer hardly pulls anything out of the water lately and I'm sure it's working fine.. If that adds to your opinion...

 

there are other factors to consider Don v
I agree that test kits, will tell you for certain if you do have a PO4 issue
but often, they are used to confirm an issue (people get algae problems, perform a test kit and find PO4 is high)

the hobbyist grade test kits, even the very good ones like Salifert are not perfectly accurate
and I have seen many threads/articles etc in which water tested using hobyist test kits giving zeros are then tested on more advanced equipment , actually do have a low but measurable phosphate level

for many hobbyists there are other indicators we use such as
how many times a week do we need to use the magnet to clean the glass
an increase at the speed at which micro algae returns to coat the glass, is my signal to renew GFO, and I know that getting the Salifert test kit out, would give me another zero so I dont bother anymore)

thus having a fuge with chaeto in, irrespective of the test result from your kit
is a very good idea IMO as it will compete well with other algaes and thus could very well help to prevent a future algae nuisance issue

Steve

 

Thanks for the thorough response! That is some good info. If the chaeto stays healthy and ends up thriving, do you have any experience with it separating? In a way that could clog a pump? This is what I'm mostly concerned about as I have read this happening to a few people and I don't like running pre-filters on my pumps for maintenance reasons.. And, of course, it will be in its own section of the sump, but small pieces could travel?

 

Not directly experienced it myself Don v
but I am aware that if does have this potential

if its isolated and your baffles are set correctly, and it has to travel over 1 wall and then under another, the amount that could break off and get clogged on a pump is minimal IMO

your return pump will probably have a pre fliter on it, not the foam type but the strainer type, and this would trap large sized debris and prevent it getting caught in the impeller etc IME

Steve

 

I agree with Steve and think there is no harm in trying it. Chaeto has more benefits than just the nutrient export as it will also give a nice home to pods and other small invents. If it does come apart it will in no way harm your pump (assuming your not running any screens or socks on the input). Your pump will just chop it up and push it right through.

 

Makes sense.

Here is my sump in case your wondering...









As you can see I tried to make the most I could from a 10 gallon sump when i built it and made an area for it with light but haven't got the chaeto yet.

 

Well, my reefcleaners.com order came in today which I was very satisfied with just like everyone else seems to be and John really is a nice guy and answered all questions super quick!

Anyways, as suspected the chaeto went through my bubble trap, and up the pump and all over my display tank. Hahaha. I took it out of the sump, let the rest get to the display and fished what I could out with a net.


I'm kinda bummed as I wanted to try it out, but it seems that its more of an issue with my setup and the amount of flow going through the chaeto pushing it through my system.

Maybe when I setup my bigger tank I'll build the fugue so that its off to one side of the sump and I can control the flow.

 

There's no harm.

My nitrates/phosphates have been 0. I don't even run a sump or fuge... I'd add one if I needed it though...

 

You can always dial down the flow through the sump with a simple ball or gate valve. The flow through the sump should only be about 5X the display tank capacity. If your flow rate down there is a lot faster you only pushing water through faster than your equipment can process it which could be adding to why your skimmer isn't working very efficiently. Also you can rubber band the Chaeto to a rock