cheato growth pics....

Snakebyt · #1 12/07/2005, 02:03 PM

here it is in late october when i first put it in there

here is it in late november

Here it is today..

I was wanting to wait to prune it till i got my other tank up and running, but looks like i will have to prune it now.

I am using a LOA 65 watt bulb over it and it seems to be working great.

reef-man_d-man · #2 12/07/2005, 02:07 PM

looks, good, now all you need is some diversity, try to get somemore inverts in there (pods and such) and be sure not to let it get to out of hand, keep it somewhat at bay

Snakebyt · #3 12/07/2005, 02:10 PM

there are tons of pods and such in there now, , but i would like some more life down there

mr_e_2u · #4 12/07/2005, 03:41 PM

Can I see a full sump shot ? ...please...

Snakebyt · #5 12/07/2005, 04:22 PM

i can try to get one....

Snakebyt · #6 12/07/2005, 04:37 PM

here ya go, its a 55 gallon tank with dividers/baffles installed

Jamesurq · #7 12/07/2005, 04:41 PM

Lookin good!

Those LOA lights are killer for cheato growth.

Snakebyt · #8 12/07/2005, 07:39 PM

yeah, that light rocks, 65 watts and 65K.. Macros seem to love it

Avi · #9 12/07/2005, 08:28 PM

Can you tell me where you got the bulb and which fixture is that on there? Thanks

Snakebyt · #10 12/07/2005, 09:56 PM

http://www.lightsofamerica.com/floods.htm

I got it at home depot for $40, in the outdoor light fixture section, by the porch lights and stuff

boogers · #11 12/07/2005, 10:02 PM

WOW THAT IS AMAZINGHOW MUCH THAT HAS GROWN.
What is cheato for? I haven't seen that before
Sandra

mr_e_2u · #12 12/07/2005, 10:20 PM

Trying to decypher your sump setup. from left to right do you have return which receives water from refugium from skimmer (not sure cant see 'cause the enter brace ) then from the over flow. Are those pumps on the far left and right ? Maybe for closed loop. and whats the jar on the far right? sorry for all the questions, just trying to design my own setup soon so Im trying to get as many ideas as possible.

Blown 346 · #13 12/07/2005, 10:34 PM

Wow, I hope my chaeto grows that well,what type of flow do you have going thru the fuge section?

hdyoung · #14 12/07/2005, 10:39 PM

I just recently got my first saltwater aquarium together, and I have my cheato under grow-light incandescents (130 watts). Is this the appropriate light for cheato?

Snakebyt · #15 12/07/2005, 11:05 PM

ill try to explain it
on the right side is where the water from the tank enters, there is also a Mag 9.5 to feed the skimmer, then the bubble traps..
On the other side of the bubble traps is the skimmer, which is in the fuge section(only place it would fit) and water exits into the fuge section. then there is the cheato, one more divider and we are to the return section, in there i have a Quiet One 4000 as a return.
Hope i didnt confuse you further

If you have any other questions, feel free to ask

Avi · #16 12/07/2005, 11:19 PM

Thanks Snake...I'll be away for a few days, but when I get back the first thing I'm going to do is go out and get that same light that you have. I have chaeto, and it stays alive but doesn't seem to do much more than that. I think that light is going to change things.

Spuds725 · #17 12/07/2005, 11:22 PM

Nice growth... good light choice also-- outdoor so water resistant, shielded bulb/reflector...

I have some questions though

What is the egg crate for in the inlet to the fuge??? and what are you doing to keep the chaeto from spilling over into your return chamber??

What flow are you running throught the fuge??

What volume is your fuge??

Does your chaeto tumble or is it relatively stationary??

Thanks...

Fmellish · #18 12/07/2005, 11:43 PM

Snake, it looks like the gate valve of your skimmer is below the water line. AquaC states that the gate valve has to be above the water line. I have seen other people put it below the water line also.

What is your take on this?

I have a skimmer with a gate valve to install soon and I didn't know you could do it that way.

Snakebyt · #19 12/07/2005, 11:44 PM

the eggcrate is a stand that my skimmer sits on, the cheato has nothing to keep it from spilling over, so far it hasent so i havent worried about it.

the flow thru the fuge is quite a bit, i have a 1000GPH as a return so i hjave that, and the outlet from the skimmer adds to that as well.
the fuge is approx 19 gallons, but the skimmer tanks up about half of that, the cheato is pretty much stationary, it never moves

Snakebyt · #20 12/07/2005, 11:48 PM

the gate vavle is under the water line. I am sure there is some backpressure from this, but there is still alot of room for adjustments, so it hasent caused any problems for me

Snakebyt · #21 12/07/2005, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by boogers
WOW THAT IS AMAZINGHOW MUCH THAT HAS GROWN.
What is cheato for? I haven't seen that before
Sandra

Cheato is used for nutrient export, basicly is soaks up nitrates

Fmellish · #22 12/07/2005, 11:55 PM

How often do you have to empty your collection cup?

Snakebyt · #23 12/08/2005, 12:14 AM

there is a 1 gallon jug on the side of the sump that the skimmate goes into. I clean the skimmer every week or so, and dump the skimmate at the same time

Fmellish · #24 12/08/2005, 12:38 AM

I suppose my real question is this.

Do you think you are achieving good skimmer performance having your skimmer not in the intake chamber and not above the water line ?

Snakebyt · #25 12/08/2005, 08:28 AM

well the skimmer itself isnt in the intake chamber, but the pump that feeds it is in the intake chamber. I dont think that having the gate valve under the water line effects it at all.

I do run it a little wet, here is a pic