Cheato & Sump

[xxxAngeloxxx]

I have 2 quick questions if any reefers have experienced the this questions

1. How can you tell when cheato is dead or dying off?
   
2. Can you go with just rock and cheato for a refugium?

 

[Tonyscoots84]

is there enough nutrients in the tank for it
is the lighting the right par for it

and yes rock and cheato is enough but i would throw some sand on the bottom depending how big your refugium is

 

[xxxAngeloxxx]

im using a 14 watt bulb...my cheato hasnt been growing for the past 2 months already...before it would grow like crazy 2-3 weeks i would have a soft ball size cheato. i do have a tiny bit of sand not that much i would say 1 pound in a half.

 

[Tonyscoots84]

14 watt bulb at wat kelvin temp. (thats what i meant before)

also are you running phosban and other nutrient removers or have added any chemicals to the tank

usually to get the benefits of a sand bed it would have to be within 4-6" deep

 

[xxxAngeloxxx]

14 watt bulb at wat kelvin temp. (thats what i meant before)

also are you running phosban and other nutrient removers or have added any chemicals to the tank

usually to get the benefits of a sand bed it would have to be within 4-6" deep

Its one of those save energy light bulb you get in home depot. The only thing I'm using on the tank is ESV part 1 and 2 the bottle one that's all. As for sand is that mandorty to use that much sand? Will the tank have any problem with just rocks and cheato?

 

[Tonyscoots84]

no it wont have n e problem

also i said there are diff. kelvin rating on those bulbs choosing one that is a grow bulb kelvin rating would optimize the growth of the cheato and give it the spectrum of lighting it needs. 5100 K is optimum for cheato growth but that is not the only growth factor in growing cheato....

 

[xxxAngeloxxx]

6500K I should be picking up a bulb this weekend to change it with the one I have now.

 

[HealthyTanks]

I have also had great results with the 19w 5100K bulb from HomeDepot. They also have cheap reflectors with ceramic bases.
Don

 

[James983]

Angelo, I had the same problem with those twist style florencent bulbs. I switched to a traditional plant growers bulb and my cheato took off.

 

[xxxAngeloxxx]

Just purchased a 6500K day time bulb from Walmart the energy save one. I spent 13 bucks on it was that a lot for a save energy bulb? I would no because it save me energy.

 

[STHILL]

I use a 6700k bulb, the less nutrients in the water the less it will grow