Chaeto Reactor Algae issue

David J · Mar 13, 2019

Hey guys,

I tried adding a Chaeto Reactor to my tank but does not seem to be working good. I cleaned it out last week as I could see GHA growing on top of it. since I bought it the Chaeto really didn't seem to grow much. I cleaned it out and threw out the slimy parts. Checked today after 1 week and the GHA is back Chaeto I can't even tell if it grew at all. Using Red / Blue plant LEDS. Run time of 9 hours off hours of my tank.
Thinking maybe I take it out, clean with chlorine, let it air dry, and start with some fresh Chaeto and see what happens.... Checked my nitrates the other day were about 5PPM

Advise ????

Ludders · Mar 13, 2019

I run an ALR1 and am usually taking out 2/3 every other week. You're not dosing, or running any other phosphate or nitrate control are you?

Poseidon03 · Mar 13, 2019

Look into iron supplements

David J · Mar 13, 2019

no dosing. The chaeto I got from ebay.... It was pretty much frozen when it arrived from the cold. Im wondering if that pretty much killed it. Its still green but some turned white when I pulled it out last time.

Ludders · Mar 13, 2019

Maybe look into iron supplements then. Not sure the effects of frozen chaeto, but guessing not good. I know it is fine at cooler than reef temps.

David J · Mar 17, 2019

Took it out, Cleaning it out again. Was pretty much just GHA. Question if I get more Chaeto and it does the same things and just grows GHA Will the GHA be bad if I just grow that ??