Cheato

[matty0206]

I am just starting to use a fuge on a new 40g breeder and have a few questions>

1. Does cheato have to tumble?
2. What is the best lighting to use?
3. Does it have to be trimmed to remove the nitrates and phosphates from it that it removes from the water?
4.How long of a light cycle does it need?

The fuge I am using is a gutted out huge hob filter that has a flow rate of 500 gph. It has two chambers and I put filter floss in the first and cheato in the second. The second chamber doesnt appear to have enough flow to make it tumble because all of the flow goes through the filter floss first? The light I am currently using is a clip on home depot light with a 60w bulb? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[reefnetworth]

1: not really, but it helps reduce die-off. remove the floss and add a sponge, and that should help increase flow and create a tumble.
2: get a "grow light" for your clip-on. ($3.99)
3: no! thats its food. you will need to trim it when it overtakes the container. which BTW want take long.
4: 24-7 is best photoperiod.

hope this helps, have a kickin weekend

[graveyardworm]

3: no! thats its food. you will need to trim it when it overtakes the container. which BTW want take long.
4: 24-7 is best photoperiod.

3. I think the question was misunderstood. Yes the cheato will need to be trimmed to remove the nutrients which it binds.

4. Many people do light their cheato 24/7, but most if not all plants will do better with a period of darkness. Plants thrive on two processes, photosynthesis occurs mostly during light hours, and respiration occurs mostly during periods of darkness, and for optimum health plants rely on both.

[matty0206]

Thank you guys I will get a grow light and I think I will light it at night and the tank during the day! By the way grave I like the signature!