[12273]

A week ago I noticed a long green tube and thought it was a tube worm or duster growing. Now it long and curly and getting bigger and bigger.

I looked through the algae sticky and noticed its cheato algae.

Is this an indication of too much nutrients? My corals (LPS) are doing great and growing. Shrimp, snails and fish also doing great. So should I be worried about this? I dont have a sump ore fuge for the algae but I'm thinking if tucking it in the back and letting it get big but not sure if that's a good idea.

Thanks

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[wtac]

Algae, micro or macro, will grow when conditions are right and with minimal to no predation. Whether nutrients are are becoming elevated or not, only testing the water for NO3 and PO4 will give you the definitive answer.

In some of my clients "AIO" systems and systems that does not allow for a refugium, if chaeto grows, I tuck it somewhere accessible and visually appealing area and let it grow; same w/caulerpa but you have to be extra diligent in keeping it pruned back or it will grow out of control where the "runners" affect coral polyps.

JME/HTH

 

[12273]

Thanks for the reply! I was thinking of placing it in the back. Lots of light but I dont plan on putting coral back there because I couldn't enjoy them.

When should I clip it off the rocks? Now? Or wait till it's bigger? It's probably 6" long now of I were to straighten it out. Seems to be growing like 1" a day if not more

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[wtac]

Just let it grow on it's own until it's just a bit too unsightly for your taste. It should develop into a tangled mass and prune it back by ~1/2.

Don't cut it but pull it apart.

 

[deeznutz]

Cheato does not root. So if whatever you have is rooting, then it's not cheato.

-dan

 

[disman_ca]

If you're willing to take the risk I say let it grow. I had an awesome clump of see lettuce pop out of no where and it gew very nice until I accidentally knocked if off the rock.