HELP! my chaeto is shrinking

[nugg91]

i bought a big handful of chaeto from the LFS and it seems to be getting smaller instead of growing. it is currently in my 10g sump. The bulbs i am using for lighting are just your basic freshwater canopy lights. I run them 24hrs a day, am i doing something wrong. what else can i do to facilitate growth?

[Samala]

Algae needs light of course to power its growth, if its just one 15w flourescent thats pretty low light levels. You might consider bumping the light up another 15w or so. However, Chaetomorpha has proven itself to be fairly adaptable and undemanding with light. In addition, algae needs nutrients to survive. If your tank runs very cleanly (NO3 0, NO2 0, NH3 0, PO4 0ppm) there may not be enough to keep it growing.

>Sarah

[nugg91]

thank you for the help...i think i am going to upgrade to a pendent light from HomeDepot with one of those spiral lights...i have heard good things about them