What's better? Cheato or macro algae

[pdnyc69]

I have just built a 125 gallon sump with a big refugium. I am going to load it with miracle mud and either macro algae or cheato. I'm wondering which one is better. I've been told that cheato doesn't need the light to remain on. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[Euroreefer]

I thought Cheato was Macro? Could be wrong tho.:shhh:

 

[Marteen]

Chaeto has a lower chance of going sexual than other macro algaes. That's one of the big reasons it's the preferred macro for nutrient export. However, if you have herbivorous fish they would benefit from algaes like ulva and calurpera growing in the refugium for them to munch on.

 

[flipit13]

saw the post went to reply.... but what marteen said
plus calurpera looks alittle more realistic look just let it root in the sand and not the rocks then you have problems just my 2 cents
rick

 

[pdnyc69]

Does anyone have cheato for sale in westchester or close?

 

[flipit13]

I do but this isn't the place to look.... How much do you want

rick

 

[pdnyc69]

I could use 2-1 gallon zip lock bags worth

 

[SevTT]

I have just built a 125 gallon sump with a big refugium. I am going to load it with miracle mud and either macro algae or cheato. I'm wondering which one is better. I've been told that cheato doesn't need the light to remain on. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Chaeto requires a dark phase; you have to give it about 8 hours of night per day, at least, and I find that grows explosively if I give it an extended dark period once in a while. It's low-maintenance -- just pull out a clump when there's too much in the tank. It is kinda ugly.

Caulerpa can grow faster than chaeto and thus export more nutrients, but it's invasive and can cause problems -- it produces chemicals similar to the way a soft coral does, and can go sexual, an event which can crash your tank. You can keep this in check with 24-hour lighting and frequent trimming. All of them look better than chaeto.

So: Chaeto if you want low-maintenance, caulerpa if you want that extra bit of nitrate and phosphate removal. I went with chaeto.

 

[E.intheC]

caulerpa is also an invasive species... It's been creating huge problems in the Mediterranean Sea. Really starting to overrun the native plants and algae there. It's not quite as huge a problem here because it's more temparate, but.. you never know.

Use Chaeto. (not cheato, or cheetos )

 

[tomtoothdoc]

Use Chaeto. (not cheato, or cheetos )

damn......i is illiterate. no wonder my water looks orange......lol

+1 chaeto. caulerpa looks nice but rooted on to everything needs careful trimming and 24 hr. photo period. the "grapes" kept getting sucked into the display after trimming....pain in the b*tt to chase after them.

 

[pdnyc69]

Thanks for the help guys