Chaeto not growing

[angelface7217]

I have a sump/refugium with Chaeto and a flourescent bulb that runs alternate my tank lights. I want to know why my chaeto never grows. Periodically I have to get more chaeto and I noticed now that I have trace Nitrates.. Measuring at 10. I do water changes bimonthly-monthly. ANy help. Should I change my lights? Also I notice my skimmer fills up with water when the ATO adds water to the tank. SHould the skimmer be adjusted just till it bubbles into the cup or lower into the funnel part of the cup?

[jenglish]

what is the wattage, type of fixture and color (kelvin rating, 6500k etc) Does the Chaeto move in the flow?

[angelface7217]

Hmm there is two pumps in there. One for skimmer and one out going from sump into tank.
Actually it doesnt move much. I took out bioballs and sponge that used to be in sump and put the chaeto between the plastic separator where the sponge used to be. Its open but not free flowing. I have a flourescent light I bought from Lowes, grow light it was called. I think it is 65000 k. I cant remember much else about it. It hangs by clip from bottom of tank. Appears to be very bright. I see it from the other room. I was worried it wasnt directly hitting it. Do I need a different light? Maybe a power head down there?

Originally Posted by jenglish

what is the wattage, type of fixture and color (kelvin rating, 6500k etc) Does the Chaeto move in the flow?

[jenglish]

I use a 6500K screw in CFL to grow chaeto in a small HOB fuge. Algae needs food, light and CO2 to grow. It sounds like it has some availble food and it is quite hard to drive CO2 down to where it is the inhibiting facator. The light you describe sounds like it would be quite sufficient to grow chaeto. Mine has pretty low flow but many people run their chaeto with enough flow that it tumbles and exposes every surface to light. Mine I manually turn periodically but it also is lit 24/7. DO you add any chemicals to your system?

[angelface7217]

Yes I suppliment the tank weekly with Iodine, Strontium, Calcium and some times purple up. I feed fish and corals a home made frozen food with garlic and vitachem in it 2-3 a week alternating flakes and pellets. I also add capful of vodka for bacteria 3x a week. My water and algea growth has really slowed down since I started that.

[angelface7217]

my chaeto does not tumble though. in fact the bottom clump is looking more pale too. do you think this is the reason. Not enough flow? There definitely is enough nutrients there I think.

[angelface7217]

so when running your lights that often, are your parameters stable? People told me that running refug light with tank lights may make swings in chemical balance. What is your take on it?

Originally Posted by angelface7217

my chaeto does not tumble though. in fact the bottom clump is looking more pale too. do you think this is the reason. Not enough flow? There definitely is enough nutrients there I think.

[lagrew]

Originally Posted by angelface7217

Yes I suppliment the tank weekly with Iodine, Strontium, Calcium and some times purple up. I feed fish and corals a home made frozen food with garlic and vitachem in it 2-3 a week alternating flakes and pellets. I also add capful of vodka for bacteria 3x a week. My water and algea growth has really slowed down since I started that.

well your chateo is an algea so this maybe part of your prob.