- Joined
- Dec 15, 2016
- Messages
- 181
- Reaction score
- 73
Hey all,
I have a question that I am going to try to articulate, so please bear with me. I have been noticing elevated nitrates in my tank, although the corals all seem to be doing pretty well. In addition to decreasing feedings, I have added Chaeto to an area of my sump. (As an aside, I have done this in the past without success. But, I bought a new grow light and the chaeto is flourishing.)
So my question basically: when do I begin to remove it for optimal results. I understand that by removing portions of the chaeto you are permanently removing the nutrients bound in the cheato from the system. However, the nuance of the question is which is a better nutrient control method- a smaller mass of cheato pruned frequently or a larger mass left to grow.
As an example: which would be a better nutrient removal method.
Scenario 1) a large mass of cheato growing well. I would think that having more algae would consume more nutrients as a larger mass would require more nutrients to grow.
Scenario 2) Constantly removing small parts of the chaeto.
Personally, I would think having more chaeto mass would remove more nutrients. So, allowing the algae to grow would be a more effective means of nutrient consumption.
Any input would be appreciated. Thank you.
I have a question that I am going to try to articulate, so please bear with me. I have been noticing elevated nitrates in my tank, although the corals all seem to be doing pretty well. In addition to decreasing feedings, I have added Chaeto to an area of my sump. (As an aside, I have done this in the past without success. But, I bought a new grow light and the chaeto is flourishing.)
So my question basically: when do I begin to remove it for optimal results. I understand that by removing portions of the chaeto you are permanently removing the nutrients bound in the cheato from the system. However, the nuance of the question is which is a better nutrient control method- a smaller mass of cheato pruned frequently or a larger mass left to grow.
As an example: which would be a better nutrient removal method.
Scenario 1) a large mass of cheato growing well. I would think that having more algae would consume more nutrients as a larger mass would require more nutrients to grow.
Scenario 2) Constantly removing small parts of the chaeto.
Personally, I would think having more chaeto mass would remove more nutrients. So, allowing the algae to grow would be a more effective means of nutrient consumption.
Any input would be appreciated. Thank you.