How to: dedicated chaeto growing tank

[DavidinGA]

I need to find a way to grow chaeto faster and was wondering if it is possible to toss a clump in a dedicated tank (say a 20g), run some cfl bulbs, small powerhead, heater and then a food source for growth....?

On a stand alone setup would I need to do water changes or will constantly harvesting keep the water quality sufficient for chaeto health?

What kind of supplements (iron?) and food source would make it grow fast?

I have chaeto growing in my 75gal sump on from my DT but it can't keep up with my sales so I was thinking about a dedicated setup.

Thoughts, suggestions, advice?

[DavidinGA]

Another question....

Could i toss some chaeto into a tank/tub/barrel/whatever and grow it outside (natural sunlight) or would I have a container full of bad micro algae instead of chaeto?

[Pife]

There are tons of threads out there that talk about how to grow chaeto

[DavidinGA]

There are tons of threads out there that talk about how to grow chaeto


They all deal with growing chaeto in a fuge though. I want to grow it by itself with a very minimal setup....

[4fishman]

Sounds like a refugium. You've got the food source from your display tank. Circulate water, add some live rock and lighting and you're good to go. I don't recommend an outdoor project

[Steveb]

If it is NOT connected to your display tank then you will have to provide a nitrate/phosphate source for it (i.e. fertilize). Over in the macro algae forum there are some threads on fertilizing for macro algae.

[Metal Man 1221]

Skimmate?

[DavidinGA]

Skimmate?


Would that work? Just a little?

[Metal Man 1221]

Well, as it decomposes it will break down into inorganic matter.

Could it hurt to try?