is this normal for chaeto?

ok. this is the second batch of chaeto and resulted in the same way. i have at least 2 baseball sized chaeto in my refugium right now that i bought from reefcleaners.org for a bout 2 weeks now. my problem is this, they are turning white or clear or transparent or whatever you call it. i have lights on it for 14 hours a day with this bulb PAR30 Reflector 16 Watt / 5100K: Light Bulbs Etc, Inc.
. i also turn it everyday and gets a decent flow thru it. is this normal?
any ideas why this is happening?
thank you

also i also have Red Gracilaria in the sump that was also turning transparent so moved them in the main tank and they got their color back. they are now deep red maroonish color. so i am really puzzled by my chaeto.

 

This happened to me before I got fish. Are you feeding?
Mine is doing well now..

 

feeding? you mean the livestock in the DT, right? yes i do. the tank is about 7 months now but just decided to make my own ref/sump about 1 month.

 

how are your water params. maybe its dying off due to good water params? john will know more if he happens to see this. my chaeto is slow growing but not white. hrm.

 

so these are the only water parameters i check since i only have fish with live rock.
amonia = 0
nitrite = 0
nitrate = 20
ph = 8.2
salinity = 1.026

 

Yeah I meant DT. Since your tank is established I would try a stronger bulb.
How often are you feeding your fish?

 

i feed 1 small portion everyday mid afternoon and 1 full feeding at night every other day. the full feeding they can consume in under 3 mins. these babies are good eaters;D

 

im with matt, i think the light isnt hgh enough wattage. the spectrum sounds right tome for macro growth. try a new light. Aquatraders - Wide selection of Aquarium Lightings including T5 HO, Power Compact, Metal Halide has some low cost med quality lights. there customer service on the other hand.....

 

Nothing against Aquatraders, but go to HD or Lowes and get a 40W bulb.

EDIT: That was my 100th post here...what is a "Flamingo Tongue?"

 

I think you need a 65 watt bulb or something there about.