Removing the chaeto is a good idea and if they still keep going down past the partial chaeto removal it may mean that you won’t need macro algaes at all to aid nutrient control.
How about my skimmer? I turned that off too ...
I don’t recommend turning the skimmer of as they usually help with gas exchange, you can instead dial back and still keep it on.
I do have socks 3
How often do you change them?
When they over flow so like every 4 days or so
You could try and change them every 2 days instead, the reason I am suggesting this is that nitrogen is the first step of decaying organic biomass the longer it stays in contact with the water organic carbon will start to also be release and that can influence the lowering of nitrates.
Wow really? you would think the more dirty the better.
It will depend on your tank needs some thanks are limited in nitrogen other are limited in carbon or phosphorus, your may have a abundance in carbon that causes nitrogen to lower, the algae will have a influence on those limitations. Regarding the sock the release of ammonia from decay matter is one of those things that just happens it doesn’t need bacteria and it’s the first step of decaying matter, the longer that decaying organic matter will stay in contact with tank water the further heterotrophic bacteria will utilise/transform the other nutrients that may not be beneficial for you at present time.
Cutting back your macroalgae is a great way to naturally allow your nitrates to rise as the consumption rate of it for the macroalgae won't be as great. Depending on how long you have had the chaeto/the size of it, it may be time to prune it back anyways
-Raven
It grows nicely but it’s growing much slower now that I only have refuge light on about 3 hours a day and is still stron I am not noticing any rotting.
