Stunted growth caeto

[Science1]

Started a refugium 4 months ago. Added caetomorpha and continue to see stagnated growth. Shrinking in size. I see all these threads that caeto can grow 60% of its size in 24 hours.
Reading several articles on proper nutrient levels and lighting and make adjustments to correct parameters but continue to see slow to no growth.
Nutrients:
PO4: running average .2 ppm. (Hanna)
N03: running average: 6 ppm (Hanna)
Pump in refugium for good flow
Light: Redsea 50 LED set at 85% white/10% blue~6500 kelvin daylight
Dosing Britewell Caetogrow per directions
Color of caetomorpha is dark Forrest green not a light green.
Any additional help would be appreciated.

 

[JumboShrimp]

Welcome to R2R. Someone here will be able to help you-- without a doubt.

 

[Subsea]

Started a refugium 4 months ago. Added caetomorpha and continue to see stagnated growth. Shrinking in size. I see all these threads that caeto can grow 60% of its size in 24 hours.
Reading several articles on proper nutrient levels and lighting and make adjustments to correct parameters but continue to see slow to no growth.
Nutrients:
PO4: running average .2 ppm. (Hanna)
N03: running average: 6 ppm (Hanna)
Pump in refugium for good flow
Light: Redsea 50 LED set at 85% white/10% blue~6500 kelvin daylight
Dosing Britewell Caetogrow per directions
Color of caetomorpha is dark Forrest green not a light green.
Any additional help would be appreciated.

@Science1
As a seaweed farmer, Chaetomorphy is not the most effective macro algae for nutrient export. I do grow it because it sells. Dark green is a preferred color. When Chaeto is light green (slightly yellow), I dose iron.

Understand this, seaweed growth is not controlled by the most abundant nutrients, but it will be stunted if limited by micro nutrients.

This is what Russ Kronwetter, diver/owner of live.plants says about seaweed:

Macro Algae : Your Source For Quality Marine Plants and Macroalgae

macroalgae, marine plants, caulerpa, refugium substrate, marine macroalgae for sale

www.marineplantbook.com

PS: I don’t chase numbers. I dose concentrate liquid kelp & ammonia.

 

[Science1]

@Science1
As a seaweed farmer, Chaetomorphy is not the most effective macro algae for nutrient export. I do grow it because it sells. Dark green is a preferred color. When Chaeto is light green (slightly yellow), I dose iron.

Understand this, seaweed growth is not controlled by the most abundant nutrients, but it will be stunted if limited by micro nutrients.

This is what Russ Kronwetter, diver/owner of live.plants says about seaweed:

Macro Algae : Your Source For Quality Marine Plants and Macroalgae

macroalgae, marine plants, caulerpa, refugium substrate, marine macroalgae for sale

www.marineplantbook.com

PS: I don’t chase numbers. I dose concentrate liquid kelp & ammonia.

Thank you so much for your insight and knowledge on macro algae growth and nutrient requirements.
As I reviewed the article from Russ Kronwetter I understand there are many other inorganic nutrient requirements besides nitrates and phosphates to achieve good growth. I compared his list of other inorganic nutrients to Britewell Caetogrow nutrients and noticed most are present. I know I have not been following recommended dosing levels; less than recommended. I am going follow recommended dose levels and report back.
Again, thank you. So helpful.

 

[FrugalReeferJon]

Chaeto is my kryptonite. They always die out on me and I don’t know why. Xenia on the other hand I can grow like weeds which is why I use it instead of chaeto for nutrient export. I heard iron helps with chaeto health. You might want to try dosing it and see if it helps. Just a thought. Oh, and I see it’s already been mentioned.

 

[Subsea]

Thank you so much for your insight and knowledge on macro algae growth and nutrient requirements.
As I reviewed the article from Russ Kronwetter I understand there are many other inorganic nutrient requirements besides nitrates and phosphates to achieve good growth. I compared his list of other inorganic nutrients to Britewell Caetogrow nutrients and noticed most are present. I know I have not been following recommended dosing levels; less than recommended. I am going follow recommended dose levels and report back.
Again, thank you. So helpful.

You are welcome. My pleasure.

While I have used ChaetoGrow, I prefer to add liquid kelp concentrate. It has iodine and I want that in my seaweed growout tanks. I also add ammonia as my growout tanks are fishless.

 

[Spare time]

You are welcome. My pleasure.

While I have used ChaetoGrow, I prefer to add liquid kelp concentrate. It has iodine and I want that in my seaweed growout tanks. I also add ammonia as my growout tanks are fishless.

Chaetogro has potassium iodide. They just don't advertise the iodide lol

 

[Idech]

As a seaweed farmer, Chaetomorphy is not the most effective macro algae for nutrient export.

What are some effective nutrient export macro algae for a refugium ?

 

[Subsea]

What are some effective nutrient export macro algae for a refugium ?

I like Gracilaria Hayi. It grows fast, is not very palpable to fish which is why I use it in display tank.

Ulva & Hayi are fast growers.

Check out GulfCoast Ecosystem website. It’s my Bible for seaweed.

Macro Algae : Your Source For Quality Marine Plants and Macroalgae

macroalgae, marine plants, caulerpa, refugium substrate, marine macroalgae for sale

www.marineplantbook.com

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

As a seaweed farmer, Chaetomorphy is not the most effective macro algae for nutrient export.

FWIW, I found that caulerpa racemosa will outcompete chaeto for something (don't know what) in my system, but I ended up having to get a foxface to remove caulerpa that eventually made its way to the display.

 

[Subsea]

FWIW, I found that caulerpa racemosa will outcompete chaeto for something (don't know what) in my system, but I ended up having to get a foxface to remove caulerpa that eventually made its way to the display.

That’s a very fast grower and is very palpable to fish. Also, very prone to going sexual.

Caulerpa racemosa​

An attractive Caulerpa species that is quite hardy as an aquarium specimen. This particular species is unique in that it has perfectly round appendages resembling grapes on a vine. The individual "grapes" are actually small bladders filled with fluid which keeps the algae upright. It grows horizontally on long runners (rhizomes) reaching lengths of up to 2' or more and can form very large entangled clumps especially in high flow areas. Because of its fast growth, it can quickly outgrow the available nutrients in a tank, so care must be taken to limit the size of each specimen. As with most Caulerpa species, regular pruning can help keep the algae from undergoing sexual reproduction in the aquarium. This particular species is generally only encountered in near shore habitats such as rock outcroppings, piers, docks and seawalls. Caulerpa species are highly palatable to both fish and invertebrates.​

 

[Science1]

Chaeto is my kryptonite. They always die out on me and I don’t know why. Xenia on the other hand I can grow like weeds which is why I use it instead of chaeto for nutrient export. I heard iron helps with chaeto health. You might want to try dosing it and see if it helps. Just a thought. Oh, and I see it’s already been mentioned.

Thank you for the response. Caeto may be my kryptonite as well. This is my second softball size of caeto. First softball caeto shrunk to golf ball size. However, this softball is maintaining just not showing signs of growth. Will try dosing with Britewell Caeto growth and report back. If this dosing approach fails then Xenia may be my next venture and vacate the kryptonite

 

[JumboShrimp]

Reading this thread is interesting. I can't say that I have ever dabbled much in macroalgae in a refugium, but I get the basic concept: 'I'm going to have this stuff right HERE, to pull out/keep out all the bad stuff in my display tank, and then I can just throw chunks of it away.' However, it seems like many comments highlight how much stuff has to be introduced INTO the tank just to make the darn stuff grow. So for most people, is it all a help, or a hindrance?

 

[Science1]

Reading this thread is interesting. I can't say that I have ever dabbled much in macroalgae in a refugium, but I get the basic concept: 'I'm going to have this stuff right HERE, to pull out/keep out all the bad stuff in my display tank, and then I can just throw chunks of it away.' However, it seems like many comments highlight how much stuff has to be introduced INTO the tank just to make the darn stuff grow. So for most people, is it all a help, or a hindrance?

Great comment.
I have been thinking the same thing. Is it worth the trouble? Well, still exploring that thought. However, I do like challenges that force me to learn new things. Much contemplation

 

[JumboShrimp]

I suppose if I ever reach the point where I was fully satisfied with my display tanks (yeah, Right!?), and just wanted something to tinker with, it could be a fun next step.

 

[Science1]

I suppose if I ever reach the point where I was fully satisfied with my display tanks (yeah, Right!?), and just wanted something to tinker with, it could be a fun next step.

Agreed. The “ DT Satisfaction Point” is a destination that is far reaching for me as well.
Thanks again for the help!

 

[sfin52]

FWIW, I found that caulerpa racemosa will outcompete chaeto for something (don't know what) in my system, but I ended up having to get a foxface to remove caulerpa that eventually made its way to the display.

Both points Its done the same in my tanks. My,tuxedo loves it.

 

[Science1]

Both points Its done the same in my tanks. My,tuxedo loves it.

Thank you for the feedback. My refugium venture is about 4 months old. However, I like the idea of other macro algae’s for export. I will look into caulerpa racemosa. I love a beautiful and beneficial refugium.

 

[Koty]

Cheato has no roots and unlike corals can only get trace elements exclusively from the water column. Once I started dosing TM A & K Elements (aimed to supplement the corals) My cheato started growing like crazy. Since then NO3 is always near 0 yet phosphate is still too high

 

[Subsea]

Reading this thread is interesting. I can't say that I have ever dabbled much in macroalgae in a refugium, but I get the basic concept: 'I'm going to have this stuff right HERE, to pull out/keep out all the bad stuff in my display tank, and then I can just throw chunks of it away.' However, it seems like many comments highlight how much stuff has to be introduced INTO the tank just to make the darn stuff grow. So for most people, is it all a help, or a hindrance?

I will address that.

For twenty years, I operated a 30G mud/algae refugium with a 75G Jaubert plenum on top. Jaubert plenum was designed for denitrification chemistry. At 25 years mature, I now dose ammonia to keep up with nitrogen demand. I never considered the seaweed refugium as a major nutrient export (yes, I composted tomatoes), a refugium is a refuge from predators. I now operate a cryptic refugium with a mud filter that is crawling with pods, worms and cryptic sponges. I dose two things into this system: ammonia & liquid kelp concentrate. The only parameters that I measure are temperature & salinity. In seaweed growout tanks I dose 10ml of ammonia twice a day into 55G tank. Every other day I dose 1 ml of concentrated liquid kelp. When I brought water to LFS for testing, inorganic nitrogen & inorganic phosphate read zero (go figure). This tank doubles seaweed biomass every 21 days and I just did double the light intensity of bottom 55G tank. The top tank is being sanitized with chlorine due to flatworms.