Best alternative to Chaeto?

NC Jim

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I am about to get macro algae going in my refugium and finding a source of chaeto let alone clean is very difficult at this point in time. What would be my next best alternative? I am not interested in caulerpa or anything else with inherent risks of a similar nature.
 

Philly Reefer

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Get chaeto from anyone. Then dip it in a rodi water for couple hours. Shake it up until nothing else falls out.
Of course by doing this, its also kill any pods that might be in the chaeto
 
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NC Jim

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@Philly Reefer what about dipping it in a pesticide like bayer? I know people do that with corals to get rid of pests would it nuke the algae?
 

Philly Reefer

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@Philly Reefer what about dipping it in a pesticide like bayer? I know people do that with corals to get rid of pests would it nuke the algae?
I have not tried that with chaeto. I do dip my corals with bayer.

Bayer is a strong chemical. So if you want, try it with a small clump of chaeto then rinse it well with rodi or saltwater
 

Uroplatus

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I use feather caulerpa, works well for me I’d send you some.
 
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NC Jim

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I have heard in some cases it can turn asexual and waste away. I am grateful for the offer :) but I do not want to chance a caulerpa.
 

Uroplatus

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It’s grape caulerpa that goes sexual and has problems, I’ve never had any trouble with feather caulerpa, however I understand your reservations.
 

robbyg

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You don't need a whole lot of Chaeto to start with.
I had your same fear so I started out with a piece about the size of three golf balls. At that size I was able to clean it thoroughly and also visually inspect it inch by inch very carefully. I found numerous small pods and other unknown stuff that I rinsed out with SW until nothing could be found, i literally puled it apart strand by strand and the balled it back up and zip tied it down in my sump near to the surface.

I used the 24/7 high intensity light system and that 3" ball turned into a 6" ball in 3-4 days.
Six weeks later it was enough to fill a 5 gallon bucket. I have been meaning to get it rolling on a spindle but it's been doing so well I have just left it alone.

Now I trim off about enough to fill a one gallon jug every week and it just grows back within days.
No parasites or pests have shown up in my tank.
I did keep the Pods that I shook off on the first clean and they have multiplied quite a bit.

The point is start with something really small that you can make sure is pest free, it only takes a couple of weeks to have a large ball of it.
 
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NC Jim

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You don't need a whole lot of Chaeto to start with.
I had your same fear so I started out with a piece about the size of three golf balls. At that size I was able to clean it thoroughly and also visually inspect it inch by inch very carefully. I found numerous small pods and other unknown stuff that I rinsed out with SW until nothing could be found, i literally puled it apart strand by strand and the balled it back up and zip tied it down in my sump near to the surface.

I used the 24/7 high intensity light system and that 3" ball turned into a 6" ball in 3-4 days.
Six weeks later it was enough to fill a 5 gallon bucket. I have been meaning to get it rolling on a spindle but it's been doing so well I have just left it alone.

Now I trim off about enough to fill a one gallon jug every week and it just grows back within days.
No parasites or pests have shown up in my tank.
I did keep the Pods that I shook off on the first clean and they have multiplied quite a bit.

The point is start with something really small that you can make sure is pest free, it only takes a couple of weeks to have a large ball of it.
Out of curiosity, what refugium light are you using? I am probably going with a Kessil H160 for a 75 gallon. I thought that would be enough power to help raise night time PH and export sufficient nutrients.
 

lion king

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I love caulerpa, I've used it for many years, running 4 refuges and a reactor, and have never had the issues of fear you may read about, this may be an overblown issue. Ulva is a 2nd runner up, this stuff is great. Gracilaria is 3rd. I've never been a fan of chaeto, although it is in one of my refuges.
 

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I love caulerpa, I've used it for many years, running 4 refuges and a reactor, and have never had the issues of fear you may read about, this may be an overblown issue. Ulva is a 2nd runner up, this stuff is great. Gracilaria is 3rd. I've never been a fan of chaeto, although it is in one of my refuges.
What kind do you use?
 
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NC Jim

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I do not like the look of chaeto. I wanted it because it is safe, easy for most tanks and pods love it. The micro fauna in my tank is a priority. I actually love the red ogo look.
 

lion king

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robbyg

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Out of curiosity, what refugium light are you using? I am probably going with a Kessil H160 for a 75 gallon. I thought that would be enough power to help raise night time PH and export sufficient nutrients.
30 gallon DIY with three compartments
I don't have much of a pH fluctuation because my skimmer is getting air from outside. The Kessil H160 is more than enough light, may even be a bit of overkill since I would suggest you keep the light around 5" off the surface to keeps down Coralline growth in other areas of the sump.
 

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