Is my Cheato happy?

[jmorgret]

Got a ball of Cheato about 3 weeks ago and put in my sump/fuge. I have the light come on when the tank lights go out for the night and vice versa in the morning. Was just curious as it doesn't seem to be growing. How would I tell if it is not getting what it needs? Would it turn brown or what? If it's just growing slow, no problem.

[rustybucket145]

Your lighting fixture is probably inadequate for healthy plant growth. What kind of bulbs do you have?

[jmorgret]

This one that Meleve recommended....

http://www.melevsreef.com/fuge_bulb.html

[rustybucket145]

How many hours is the bulb on?

[jmorgret]

12

[rustybucket145]

Have you, or do you ever dose iron?

[jmorgret]

No, never.

[rustybucket145]

You might want to give it a try. Try it for a few weeks and see what happens.

[bhdmc]

As long as it do not turn yellow or white(it is dead if it is white), get smaller is size and stays a bright green you are fine. It not going to go grow crazy in only three weeks. I am using T-5 10K lighting on my chaeto and never have dose iron. All is growing well. My problem it it keep from floating to the top and some of the chaeto is expose above the surface. When I am away for businessfor weeks, I come back and that part is dried out.

[jmorgret]

Thanks BH, mine is the same, it sometimes floats up and part sticks out, but I just push it back down. Have not had any dry out yet. Its still dark green and looks fine, so I guess it's no worries. My nitrates have come down alot too...from 40 down to about 5.

[Ehgemus]

mine will grow fast for a few weeks and than it will slow down like it is not growing at all. I thank that is the way it is, my light stays on 24/7