When to add chaeto?

[MariahP]

Hi team,

I have a biocube 32 that I’m about to get up and cycling. I bought an InTank fuge basket. Do I wait for cycling to be over before I add in the chaeto?
Thanks in advance!

 

[Fish Styx]

Hi team,

I have a biocube 32 that I’m about to get up and cycling. I bought an InTank fuge basket. Do I wait for cycling to be over before I add in the chaeto?
Thanks in advance!

You'll want to wait until the cycle is complete and you have some inhabitants generating waste. At least, historically, that's what I've always done. Other members may pop in with better advice though.

 

[Lavey29]

You need to wait several months till you have fish stock and nutrients to export so the chaeto has a food source.

 

[a007grif]

Actually depends on how your cycling your tank. I had about the same question for the guys over at Florida Reef Labs when I got Chaeto from them, and they gave me some amazing advice. They had me dose nitrate and phosphate early along with bacter 7 and added about 5 fish in my sump (so I could get them out after if didnt want to keep them or if they just died). I even bought some Chaeto Grow and dosed that and my tank cycled fully within a week or two and chaeto was growing well within the first week. I only grow chaeto in my sump with a regular LED white light and a basket to contain the fibers if any break off, and it grows out of control in there.