When to add chaeto

[amay121]

I'm in my cycle mode right now on my new 90g and was wondering could I add the chaeto now to help with the nitrates? Or should I hold off?

 

Params:

 

Temp: 80*

Ammonia: 1

Nitrite: 0

Nitrate: 10

Alk: 9

Calc: 460

[kngfisher]

good question.....not sure but do not think chaeto will care......you can add it at any time without having an adverse effect on your cycle currenlty under-way. The amount of chaeto will determine how much your nitrate levels will drop/remain low.....also, do not expect a large drop over-night.....a large amount of chaeto will be more effective then a small amount......also, chaeto grows quickly so add any size you wish at any time you wish and remember to trim often.

[davelin315]

I would wait until after your cycle is complete. My rationale is that the chaeto will inevitably suffer some die-off as you progress through your cycle, which will add to the nutrient level in your tank. It will also absorb some of the nitrate, slowing down the development of that last phase in your cycle. If you wait until it's fully cycled, you'll have a more successful refugium and source of nutrient export, at least in my opinion.

[jason the filter freak]

Go fer it, whats the worst thats gonna happen, glad to hear you got it filled, hope the unit served you well.

[amay121]

Yes it has thanks to you Jason.

[Jon Lazar]

Amay,

 

Is your ammonia really 1 or is it actually .1? 1 is pretty high, and even if the chaeto lives you're likely to kill off anything good inside the chaeto, like copepods, brittle stars, etc.

 

Jon

 

 

I'm in my cycle mode right now on my new 90g and was wondering could I add the chaeto now to help with the nitrates? Or should I hold off?

 

Params:

 

Temp: 80*

Ammonia: 1

Nitrite: 0

Nitrate: 10

Alk: 9

Calc: 460

[amay121]

It's (1). I just barely have the cycle going and there was a lot of dead matter that I scrubbed/swished off my rocks.

[treesprite]

not that I have experience with it, but my own action would probably be to wait until amonia is zero, with or without nitrite being above zero.

[tygger]

I agree with Dave. Let your bacteria colony establish itself before you add external elements that will influence the biological balance.