Chaeto with weak fuge light?

[sogdog]

Is it worth getting Chaeto for the refugium if I’m using a weak light, or is it only if the PAR is similar? Trying to figure out low maintenance ways of lowering nutrients

 

[Dan_P]

Is it worth getting Chaeto for the refugium if I’m using a weak light, or is it only if the PAR is similar? Trying to figure out low maintenance ways of lowering nutrients

Cheato is not likely to grow with low light intesity.

 

[Kylesreeftank]

Is it worth getting Chaeto for the refugium if I’m using a weak light, or is it only if the PAR is similar? Trying to figure out low maintenance ways of lowering nutrients

Chaeto generally isn't worth it unless you can grow it to export nutrients at a speed that makes a meaningful dent relative to the speed at which they are entering your system.


Personally I think worrying about nitrate levels and phosphate levels is a fools errand because the equipment required to test them precisely is expensive and the tests aren't that great save for salifert and some of the more expensive ones and you can safely have tanks go upwards of 300 nitrate depending on what else you got in the tank. I'm not saying lowering it won't make things unhappy. I'm saying the problem is you don't have enough archaea or surface area. maybe your numbers aren't even that bad anyway.

If you want a refugium with macro, I suggest you do it. If you don't care or are expecting some epiphany... Then no I probably wouldn't tell you to bother with it.