ALL CHAETO IS GROWN ON A SALTWATER WELL WITH NO FISH IN THE TANK!!! YOU WILL
RECIEVE 4 FULL CUPS This macro algae is one of the hardiest beginner algaes.
Great for introducing into marine aquariums. As a nutrient exporter, it
absorbs, or feeds on dissolved organic waste. This algae thrives on fish waste,
nitrates, & phosphates. These dangerous biochemicals that we constantly strive
to keep down in our saltwater aquariums, which are poison to our fish and
invertebrates, are the food that this algae consumes. Thus it is a big
contributor to maintaining a healthy aquarium system for our captive kept
animals. So you can say it helps along with our protein skimmers to purify our
water. Introducing this micro algae is a natural way of maintaining good water
quality for our corals also. INFORMATION ABOUT CHAETOMORPHA Chaetomorpha is a
type of macroalgae that grows in long, green strands that form into clumps.
Reef aquarium hobbyists grow chaetomorpha in their tanks, because it easily
absorbs nutrients from the water and is easy to care for. The plant also
provides a suitable habitat for organisms in the tank, such as copepods,
amphipods, and small starfish. Hobbyists who wish to grow chaetomorpha in a
reef aquarium should review important growing requirements and care tips.
Growing Requirements It is necessary to adhere to the growing requirements of
chaetomorpha to help it flourish. Simulating a natural habitat for the plant
also keeps the organisms that depend on it healthy. Proper environmental
conditions and lighting are some of the factors that hobbyists should
understand.Planting Method Chaetomorpha is a free-flowing plant. When adding
the plant to an aquarium, gently place it near the bottom of the tank. The
natural water movement of the habitat helps prevent an excessive buildup of
detritus that can hinder growth. Organisms live and thrive within the clumped
mass of the plant as it floats along the bottom.Light Like all plants,
chaetomorpha algae photosynthesize, and light is a source of energy for the
process. Chaetomorpha thrives in low light. One 25-watt bulb is an ideal light
source for the plant to survive. Providing too much light or using bright,
direct light can hinder growth or kill the plant.Water Environment Chaetomorpha
needs a water temperature between 68 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit to thrive. Cool
down warmer water with a supply of cold water on the surface or the use of an
aquarium air conditioner. A proper pH level can range from seven to nine, with
an optimal range of 8.2 to 8.7. Culture collapse can result from an
inconsistent or improper pH levels. Aerating or mixing the culture can help
keep a consistent pH level. Keep salinity levels between 20 and 24 psu.
Aeration and Mixing Aeration and mixing prevents algae sedimentation and keeps
the plant cells equally exposed to light and nutrients. It also develops a
healthy transfer of gas between the culture medium and air. This is important
to help the plant take in carbon dioxide to survive and thrive. Proper aeration
and mixing is possible by stirring the water daily by hand or using an aquarium
pump to circulate the water evenly. Paddle wheels and jet pumps work well for
chaetomorpha that grows in outdoor ponds.Pruning Pruning is only required if
the chaetomorpha plant becomes so large and dense that it begins to choke out
other plant life or take over the environment. Prune the plant by gently
pulling away handfuls of it and removing it from the environment. Recycle the
pruned pieces of chaetomorpha by placing it in a separate tank or donating it
to other hobbyists who keep reef tanks. Spore Release One of the most common
obstacles involved with growing chaetomorpha is when the algae release spores.
This happens when the algae is stressed and dying. It is easy to spot the
occurrence of spore release. The plant turns white, and the water quickly
becomes cloudy. Spore production results from lack of nutrition, poor lighting,
or lack of pruning. Give the plant a long period of light exposure each day,
followed by eight hours of darkness. Keep the pH and temperature as consistent
as possible, and do not neglect pruning when the plant becomes overgrown.
Supply chaetomorpha with plenty of organisms that help keep the plant clean
through feeding and movement. Watch for signs of spore release each day.
Application: You can place this algae just about anywhere. Main tank or
refugium. As long as it gets some light. It does not have roots. It will just
float around like in the ocean, looking like a large brillo pad. If you place
it near a rock, it can grow its tendrils and entangle itself and remain
anchored to the rock. Thus, you can grow it floating or attached to an object.
Another benefit of having this algae growing in our saltwater tank is that it
is a haven for amphipods, copepods, mysid shrimp and snails, brittle stars,
micro stars, and baby fish fry. Many small micro cleaning crew animals will set
up nests in this lush algae. So growing this algae in your tank will promote
the growth and well-being of the micro fauna, Zooplankton in your system. Here
at the nursery we consider this hardy species of algae an asset when it comes
to keeping pristine water quality in our fish, coral, and shrimp nursery tanks.
Other benefits: By growing this macro algae in our systems, it out-competes
other nuisance species like green hair algae and Cyano Bacteria (red slime) for
the nutrients in the water. Thus this algae is great for keeping those unwanted
destructive algae at bay or even non-existent in the tank over time. Keep in
mind that the more light lumens it gets the faster and healthier it will grow.
What we mean by absorbing nutrients in the tank is that by growing, it is using
the nutrients in the tank for food or fuel as we sometimes refer to it. So the
more it grows the more it can filter the water. We prefer this algae for all of
our filtering systems because it is the safest. Most other algae can go into a
sexual faze and start releasing gametes and some inhibitory chemicals which all
combined in an enclosed system, can really foul your water up almost overnight,
before you know what happened. This algae is unappealing as a food to many of
the reef fish, so you can grow it in your main tank or in a refugium/sump type
of setup. Great for Seahorse systems and fish like mandarins. Seahorses will
cling to and graze on all the many micro crustaceans living in the algae.
Mandarins will also constantly be looking in this algae for copepods and
amphipods. IMPORTANT: Please read before buying this live product: We guarantee
live arrival of our live specimens: BUT CERTAIN CONDITIONS MUST BE MET. This
being said. The conditions are: #1 Someone must be present to receive and
inspect the package on the FIRST DELIVERY attempt. #2 We must be notified of
DOA (dead on arrival) within TWO HOURS of FIRST DELIVERY TIME. If these
conditions are met, then we will replace the DOA at no cost to you. These are
live organisms. THEY CANNOT SURVIVE OUTSIDE OR IN YOUR MAILBOX FOR ANY LENGTH
OF TIME. We are very flexible when it comes to meeting your needs and providing
excellent service. So please work with us and let us know if you have special
needs for delivery. If you prefer next day express overnight. Email us before
you pay and we can weigh your order and fix your invoice so you can receive
your package overnight. Also instructions like “Hold at Post Office for pick
up” can be arranged. These are sent with tracking info so you can estimate when
your package will arrive.