Trouble with cheato

Sorry for the little side notes in your thread.

My chaeto does very well under 6500K CFL's from HomeDepot. I have it in my fuge and in my sump. If your's is dieing off like you say you should know that all the nutrients it has stored will be released and could cause algae problems in your tank. Bristleworms would survive an Apocolypse! LOL

Here's a pic of my fuge

 

Hey monkey man, I just had a few cents to add about the chaeto, and the re-releasing of toxins into the water. Caulerpa is the worst for this man, but Chaeto no so bad :
"Unlike Caulerpa, Chaetomorpha is multicellular and, as such, is inherently more stable. It can be cut and pruned aggressively with little or no fear of toxins being released or having vegetative crashes. And, like its namesake, it can also simply be thinned gently with ease like strands of spaghetti noodles. It is fast growing and makes an excellent vehicle for nutrient export! It is also highly adaptable to a very wide range of lighting [Tip: illuminate most macro-algae in refugia with at least 1 watt of light per liter of water at depths less than 30 cm]. Like most "vegetable-filter" algae species, moderate to strong water flow is necessary; keep a total water flow of at least 20X turnover of the volume of the culturing vessel. There are many other benefits to spaghetti algae, not the least of which is that it is a superb matrix for the cultivation of microcrustaceans."

Not trying to dispute anything, just pointing out that it is much more stable at holding in toxins as opposed to most macro algae. I hope you don't feel like I am trying to step on you big fat freaking reef monkey toes or anything.
8)

 

I think they more or less said it as far as light leak, try pointing it at an angle back away from you so it won't bother you, or adding a longer shade. Personally, I also find it's better for PH stability if you run your 'fuge lights on an opposing cycle. Your fuge lights are on when your tank lights are off, and vice versa, with a little bit of overlay for your plants to start photsynthesizing.

I've also heard of Chaeto dying because there wasn't enough amonia/nitrate/phosphate in the water to support it.... the guy who told me that has a SICK 500 gallon tank. Makes me jealous.

It's also possible you just got a bad batch, dude. :\ Happens sometimes... I'd say get another ball and try again.

 

pc bulbs need to be 6500k-10k max spectrum.. 6500k is best..