Chaeto

$25.00

  • Scientific Name: Chaetomorpha linum, Chaetomorpha aerea

  • Common Names: Chaeto, Chaetomorpha, Spaghetti Algae

  • Type: Green filamentous macroalgae

  • Growth Habit: Dense, wiry, tangled mat or ball

  • Tank Placement: Refugium or sump (not recommended in display)

  • Top-tier nitrate and phosphate removal

  • Safe—won’t go sexual or release toxins like Caulerpa

  • Excellent copepod and amphipod habitat

  • Low maintenance and easy to prune

  • Tolerates wide nutrient ranges

You will receive x1 Clump of Chaeto

  • Scientific Name: Chaetomorpha linum, Chaetomorpha aerea

  • Common Names: Chaeto, Chaetomorpha, Spaghetti Algae

  • Type: Green filamentous macroalgae

  • Growth Habit: Dense, wiry, tangled mat or ball

  • Tank Placement: Refugium or sump (not recommended in display)

  • Top-tier nitrate and phosphate removal

  • Safe—won’t go sexual or release toxins like Caulerpa

  • Excellent copepod and amphipod habitat

  • Low maintenance and easy to prune

  • Tolerates wide nutrient ranges

You will receive x1 Clump of Chaeto

 

Parameter Ideal Range

Temperature 72–78°F (22–26°C)

Salinity 1.024–1.026

pH 8.0–8.4

Alkalinity 8–12 dKH

Nitrate 2–20 ppm

Phosphate 0.02–0.1 ppm

Calcium 400–450 ppm

Magnesium 1250–1350 ppm

Chaeto needs nutrients. In ultra-low nutrient systems (ULNS), it will stop growing or melt.

Issue/Cause/Fix

Melting or disintegrating: Nutrient-starved or low flow - Increase NO₃/PO₄ and improve flow

Yellow or pale green: Light too weak or aging - Replace bulb, upgrade light

Stagnant ball center: Not tumbling or no water circulation - Shake, rotate, increase flow

📦 Acclimation

  1. Match temperature (float 15–30 minutes)

  2. Drip acclimate if shipping long-distance

  3. Gently rinse in clean tank water to remove debris

  4. Place in refugium or sump under bright light and good flow

🧼 Pest Note

  • Always quarantine or rinse new Chaeto—can contain bristleworms, flatworms, or bubble algae

  • If buying online, look for certified clean or pest-free sources

💡 Lighting

  • High-intensity lighting is key

  • Use a refugium-specific LED with PAR in the 5000K–6500K range or full-spectrum grow light

  • Photoperiod: 12–18 hours/day (often opposite the main tank lights to stabilize pH)

🌊 Flow Requirements

  • Moderate to high flow is essential to prevent detritus from settling and to oxygenate the mat

  • Ideal setup includes a tumbling ball in the refugium

  • If not tumbling, shake or rotate weekly to avoid die-off in the center

🍽️ Nutrient Needs

  • Requires measurable nitrate and phosphate

  • Starves in tanks with GFO, aggressive skimming, or heavy filter socks

  • Benefits from trace supplements like:

    • Iron (optional, boosts growth)

    • Iodine (in trace, not critical)

    • Chaeto boosters (if you’re dosing in ULNS tanks)

✂️ Pruning & Maintenance

  • Trim weekly or biweekly to export nutrients

  • Remove yellowing or decaying clumps

  • Rinse in tank water before putting back

  • Shake or rotate to keep water flow through all sides

🔬 Compatibility

  • 100% reef-safe

  • Won’t attach to rocks or spread in display

  • Safe for all corals, fish, and inverts

  • Great home for pods, mysis, and microfauna

 
 

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