1/2 Cup - Live Chaetomorpha Algae Marine Plant Reef

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.