Chaeto Wrangling

[Alexaggie]

Hello,

I just got some chaeto to put in my refugium. When I put it in, it was in a large mass and overnight, it has seperated in to about a million ~1" strands. I was able to get some filter floss on the drain so that it is not getting to the pump back to the tank, but I dont want to leave the floss there forever. Is this normal? Perhaps my flow is too high?

[mixed_reefer]

It sounds like it might be dead. Did you get it shipped to you?

[bertoni]

Chaetomorpha does break up under stress, I think. It might recover.

[seanb1]

wow that sounds weird.

im wondering if someone cut it up, then wound it into a ball or something.

i have to pull mine apart evey week, and i can pull the heck out of it without it breaking.

if i were you i would get some sort of fish net, like a plastic scrubber pad and untie it then wrap it around the cheato to hold together till it intertwines. maybe an onion sack, the net kind would work.

good luck with it.

[Alexaggie]

I dont think it is dead, it is still dark green and healthy looking. It may be stress. I had it in a vase on the window sill for about 4 days while I redesigned my refugium so perhaps that was the cause. I have turned down the flow and the pieces seem to have settled on the bottom. I think I can just vacuum them out of the bottom as there is still a pretty dense ball floating in the water. Thanks for the replys.