Chaeto

[vinaythomas]

Hi guys,
I am a newbie to salt water aquarium.

I am only into my 3rd week of cycling the tank with live sand and live rock alone.

This is my current setup.

20 Gallon High.
Instant ocean salt mix.
Caribsea Ocean Direct Live Sand Original 20 lb
Tetra whisper 20-40 HOB filter- with Floss only.
Lees Tall protein skimmer.
Maxi Jet 900- Powerhead.
Coralife 50/50 15W Fluorescent lights
Standard daylight Fluorescent lights 15 W
5 lbs fiji cured live rock ( from LFS)
10lbs uncured tonga live rock

I changed about 4 gallons of water 2 days ago.
My readings today are:

PH- 8.2
Salinity -1.25
Ammonia- did not check
Nitrite -0
Nitrate-10ppm

I guess this is because of the water change. Will monitor for a few days and see.

I was thinking of adding some Chaeto to my HOB filter, would that help control the nitrates. I really don't see any space in there for any live sand. Just trying to get a HOB refugium going....really basic stuff or is it not worth it??

Thanks again for all the input.

[LAReefs]

After 3 weeks your ammonia will very likely be zero. However, there is always a chance that something was living in the live rock just died or something in there is still decaying. It's best to check it.

I had an HOB aqua clear modded into a refugium and it worked great. You could always hide a small ball at the back of your rock. Chaeto will definitely help reduce microalgae during cycle. However, in my experience the algae cycles will still be there.

John
LA Reefs

[bschuerman]

Chaeto definately has its advantages. Adding a little refugium like LAReefs mentioned (Aquaclear HOB filter converted to a refugium) would help a lot. About 5700K is the optimal light to grow out chaeto. A cheap lamp and bulb from Home Depot or Lowes can be used. They will be labeled 5500k or 6500k either would work. This will help export excess nutrients from your tank. Run the light opposite the cycle for your tank for best results.