Chaeto or Dragons Breath?

[comically]

I'm hoping to put some macro algae into my sump but is there a difference between the two in terms of growth and nutrient export?

 

[ThePurple12]

Definitely. Chaeto grows faster and will remove more nutrients. But it can't hurt to add both!

 

[creativeballance]

I've heard that caeto grows faster, and thus removes more excess nutrients.

 

[Pistondog]

I'm hoping to put some macro algae into my sump but is there a difference between the two in terms of growth and nutrient export?

+1 Chaeto grows faster, rabbitfish eats harvested drag breath.

 

[comically]

ok sweet, thanks for the answering guys! :D I'll have to pick up chaeto first then!

 

[Ben Pedersen]

I have never grown Chaeto, however Dragons Breath grows very very fast if lit properly and is much better looking. :)

 

[drmdvl]

If you want a fast growing red - I have good luck with red ogo and really like the way it looks in the fuge.

 

[...]

Keep in mind, chaeto is a pests' paradise.

 

[najer]

What fish do you have, dragon's breath is good tang and fox face food?

 

[ThePurple12]

+1 on the red ogo. That's another really fast grower.

 

[Scotty8284]

I have never grown Chaeto, however Dragons Breath grows very very fast if lit properly and is much better looking. :)

I was wondering what light spectrum you use for the Dragons Breath? I’ve heard it’s a different spectrum from green macros, but don’t know what to use. Thanks!

 

[SMSREEF]

I was wondering what light spectrum you use for the Dragons Breath? I’ve heard it’s a different spectrum from green macros, but don’t know what to use. Thanks!

It does better in a whiter light.
I agree about the dragons breath and other red algae looking better in display fuge. Chaeto is probably faster grower.

 

[Subsea]

From the point of nutrient export, chaeto beats dragon breath hands dow. Considering exudates from macro, the Dragons Bteath is soft and fleshy and will put back more DOC into water column. I consider Dragons Breath an ornamental and Chaeto as utilitarian

 

[SMSREEF]

From the point of nutrient export, chaeto beats dragon breath hands dow. Considering exudates from macro, the Dragons Bteath is soft and fleshy and will put back more DOC into water column. I consider Dragons Breath an ornamental and Chaeto as utilitarian

Interesting @Subsea
Could the extra DOC have an additional effect to decrease nutrient levels more than chaeto by carbon dosing the tank?

In my case this is not wanted because I am having to dose nutrients, but it may be a reason to change to some calcified green algaes rather than mostly dragonsbreath and red ogo in my display fuge.

 

[Ben Pedersen]

I was wondering what light spectrum you use for the Dragons Breath? I’ve heard it’s a different spectrum from green macros, but don’t know what to use. Thanks!

I use full spectrum... a little on the warm side.

 

[Subsea]

Interesting @Subsea
Could the extra DOC have an additional effect to decrease nutrient levels more than chaeto by carbon dosing the tank?

In my case this is not wanted because I am having to dose nutrients, but it may be a reason to change to some calcified green algaes rather than mostly dragonsbreath and red ogo in my display fuge.

I am not familiar with your system, but carbon dosing multiplies bacteria which in turn consume
N & P and are exported by protein skimmer. I have not used a protein skimmer for the last 40 years. I prefer utilitarian algae which also grows live food in a refugium. So I can nutrient recycle and nutrient export as needed.

 

[jeffchapok]

I have a mix of chaeto and dragon's breath. The chaeto definitely grows faster and has almost choked the dragon's breath out. I like to add the dragon's breath to the display from time to time, so I'm setting aside an area just for it.

 

[CMMorgan]

The new build will be deeper than I want to reach front to back. My plan is to grow some macro in the back quarter of the DS. Was also thinking dragon's breathe, which would likewise provide bonus tang food. I can still keep chaeto in the fuge. Maybe I should mix the dragons breathe with some red ozo as well?

 

[Subsea]

I use full spectrum... a little on the warm side.

That’s a lot of Halymenia. Outstanding, it looks very clean. Did it come from GOM or Caribbean?

https://www.marineplantbook.com/marinebookhalyfloridana.htm

 

[Ben Pedersen]

That’s a lot of Halymenia. Outstanding, it looks very clean. Did it come from GOM or Caribbean?

https://www.marineplantbook.com/marinebookhalyfloridana.htm

I would guess the Caribbean. The seller used to collect there.