Chaetomorpha not growing

[Champ]

I purchased about a fist full of chaeto for my refugium about 4 weeks ago. So far it hasn't grown any and it's been breaking into little pieces everywhere. I have it under a plant bulb that I got from home depot about 75 watts I think, but it's specifically for plant growth. My nitrates are around 20ppm and I had a green algae outbreak probably due from high phosphates. What am I doing wrong, with high nitrates and phosphates that stuff should be growing like crazy!! I run my refugium lights on reverse cycle. Do I need to add more chaeto, how much do I need?

[TheGreatAukSociety]

Seems pretty normal, Did you acclimate it or just throw it in there? Is it just falling apart or actually turning brown and dying?

[Champ]

I just took it out the bag and placed it in the refugium. It isn't turning brown or anything. People said that my chaeto should be growing like crazy, and I would have to prune it weekly. It hasn't grown an inch in fact it's getting smaller!

[Gyzpaz]

If you need some chaeto, LMK.... I'm usually available in the mornings. Gian.

[fishman]

get some flouesent flood lights from home depot and leave them on at night my cheoto grows quick.

[iap]

My chaeto doesnt grow at all either..but its not dying. I run light on top of it opposite to my display tank and still nothing.

[tbone74]

My chaeto doesnt grow at all either..but its not dying. I run light on top of it opposite to my display tank and still nothing.

Maybe your nutrients are very low or the tank produces enough food just to sustain it with no growth

[coker98]

I purchased about a fist full of chaeto for my refugium about 4 weeks ago. So far it hasn't grown any and it's been breaking into little pieces everywhere. I have it under a plant bulb that I got from home depot about 75 watts I think, but it's specifically for plant growth. My nitrates are around 20ppm and I had a green algae outbreak probably due from high phosphates. What am I doing wrong, with high nitrates and phosphates that stuff should be growing like crazy!! I run my refugium lights on reverse cycle. Do I need to add more chaeto, how much do I need?

The green algae outbreak may be outcompeting the chaeto for nutrients and growth. Try water changes for the nitrates. I wouldnt leave getting rid of 20ppm of nitrates to chaeto alone. Chaeto is more of a assistance option to go along with your skimmer and water changing schedule.

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