Cheato

Recently, a lot of cheato has started growing in my DT. It must have just come from the fuge. It's almost everywhere and I cannot get it off for the life of me. What can I get to eat it faster than it grows?

 

First of all how big is your tank. I wouldn't add a fish just for the purpose of eating it but there are several options that look awesome and will do the job. A pin cushion urchin might do the trick for a smaller tank. If your tank is 55 or bigger and you have the room for it a rabbit fish will solve the issue faster than you can believe. If your tank is even bigger (120 gallon+) one of the smaller tang species may be the answer.

Like I said though don't buy one of these fish just for the sake of getting the algae out. Research them all first and if you have the room, tank size and like the look of the fish they will definitely help out.

 

you sure it is cheato? I know cheato grows but sounds like another algae?

 

+1 with LVsuckerfish, sounds like another algae

 

I agree, it doesnt sound like cheato, but more like LHA. If so, snails will do a great job.


Luna

 

chaeto doesn't really stick to anything,...it grows in a mesh ball. I've never had it attach to anything.

 

yeah, I was mislead on what cheato looks like. I just figured that was it because thats the only thing in my fuge. Its pretty leafy and has roots that make it stick to the rock. Its a 55gal and its covering about half the tank. Its surrounding my giant sebae so that makes it extra difficult to get off. I'm very much against urchins and I know all about foxfish and definitely do not want one. Thanks for the help.

 

looks like caulerpa. not sure where it came from, but thats what it is.

 

yep...prolly caulerpa. I like the way some tanks look with it as long as the growth is controlled. I started my sump with about 4 leaves of caulerpa. Now it is FULL after a few months and I have to trim it down. I would just try to rip it out if I were you. My tang snacks on it occaisonally....likes chaeto more.

 

If it's leafy, it can also be halimeda. Are they round leaves? If it is halimeda, they suck calcium out of the water pretty fast.