Chaeto Containment in Refugium

[tanknana]

We have chaeto thriving (which believe me was a lot of trial and error making that happen) and tumbling in our refugium which is awesome...but....
It is having a tendency to escape the compartment thru the divider and go to the next compartment and get into the skimmer and clogs it, etc. We have tried to diy a device to strain it out before it gets to the next compartment, but then it slows down the flow of water to the skimmer too much. It is doing an awesome job at keeping down the nitrates, so we'd rather not scrap it. But the constant battle is getting exhausting....
We can't be the only ones to ever have this problem. Anyone have any tried and true solutions?
Thank you!!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Chaeto usually grows as a big ball that won't go through even moderate (1"?) openings.

is that not the case here?

 

[get-salty]

When i ran chaeto, I'd shape them into a small ball and it would grow and keep its shape.
But when its time to remove some - I tear them apart, small strains would flow over into the next chambers. It was messy so i stopped.
Now I have atomic broccolis and feed a little less .... so much cleaner.

 

[tanknana]

We have chaeto thriving (which believe me was a lot of trial and error making that happen) and tumbling in our refugium which is awesome...but....
It is having a tendency to escape the compartment thru the divider and go to the next compartment and get into the skimmer and clogs it, etc. We have tried to diy a device to strain it out before it gets to the next compartment, but then it slows down the flow of water to the skimmer too much. It is doing an awesome job at keeping down the nitrates, so we'd rather not scrap it. But the constant battle is getting exhausting....
We can't be the only ones to ever have this problem. Anyone have any tried and true solutions?
Thank you!!

Chaeto usually grows as a big ball that won't go through even moderate (1"?) openings.

is that not the case here?

Thank you!
The big ball doesn't get thru, but as it is tumbling little pieces break off and get thru. The little openings are quite tiny little slats (~1/8") at the top. Tried putting netting in front of it to catch it, but it limited the flow too much.
Feel like the refugium could never be too big it seems!
Reef keeping feels like solving one problem only to have another constantly. So many variables all the time of what affects something else and have cascading results. Maybe that is what keeps it fun/exciting/frustrating/learning/challenging? Hoping the frustrating is kept to more of a minimum than the fun/learning eventually.... So grateful to learn from those who have gone before and share their experience and wisdom!! Love this forum.

 

[tanknana]

When i ran chaeto, I'd shape them into a small ball and it would grow and keep its shape.
But when its time to remove some - I tear them apart, small strains would flow over into the next chambers. It was messy so i stopped.
Now I have atomic broccolis and feed a little less .... so much cleaner.

Thank you!
"Atomic Broccolis"? Like little balls instead of one big one? Interesting thought....
Do they not eventually converge as they tumble?