How much chaeto do you let grow in your fuge?

[Reefcowboy]

The reason for macros is simple, but i wonder if cutting it down will lessen their nutrient export capacity?
I have a once a tiny ball of chaeto now become the size of a basketball in a basket in my sump. I dont add trace elements, or anything else that brings excess nutrients to the tank. Just Ca, Alk and Mg along with 10%Wc's every weekend( salt is good, so i know these wc add back trace elements). I figured the growth would slow down but it is getting bigger every week.

The question is, i know it is common practice to cut it down and allow it to grow back, but wouldnt a larger piece have more capacity to suck these excess elements from the system , meaning big macro= bigger plant=more absorption?

Thanks for the advice!

 

[rookie07]

I assume the same thing as you, more cheato=more nutrient exporting.
I once read (a post) that said you need to remove the cheato to remove the nutrients, but I don't think that is accurate.
I only remove cheato when it is over grown and there is no free space. I remove half of it so I don't need to worry for a few months.

 

[bertyboy69]

The only way the nutirents would be released back into the water colomn is if the cheato for some reason died , if your cheato is growing then just leave it until you cant fit any more , i let mine grow till its packed because i also believe the bigger the piece the more nutrients it will absorb because it will grow quicker , just make sure to always tumble the cheato if the sump has low flow and try and light all sides of the cheato for faster growth

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