Is GFO killing my Chaeto ?

I have had chaeto growing successfully in my refugium since I set my 90G tank up almost a year ago. I assume it did a great job because I had very little algae problems except for cyano and algae dust on the glass. I thought maybe the next step was to add a few reactors, one for carbon and one for GFO. They have been up and running for almost three weeks and it has definitely helped with the cyano, unfortunately my chaeto has been dying off ever since. Everyday there is more and more brown and absolutely no new growth.

So is the GFO killing off my chaeto ? And what should I do, I know there are plenty of people that have a refugium with chaeto and run reactors, so why is it not working for me?

 

Tagging along on this one, I had the same thing happen. I took the GFO out of my tank a couple weeks ago, and what's left of my huge ball of cheato is looking pretty sickly still.

 

Every tank is different, and apparently yours isn't producing enough nutrients to support the chaeto with the GAC and GFO reactors running.

GAC removes DOCs, thereby reducing nitrate production. GFO removes phosphates. Chaeto feeds on nitrates and phosphates, and requires a certain amount to survive.

The only thing I can suggest is to reduce the amount of GAC and GFO in the reactors, if the survival of the chaeto is that important. Otherwise, celebrate the fact that your nutrient management is that awesome.

 

The only concern in losing my chaeto is some other type of algae outbreak, but I guess that should be a problem with low phosphates and nitrates

 

Indeed.

Or perhaps it may be time to change the bulb(s) over the fuge (Depending on what you're running for light over it).

 

Considering that your Chaeto is dying, releasing DOCs and nutrients into the water and your reactors are absorbing that as well, I don't see an issue with it's removal.