Macro Algae
🪸 Chaeto Macro Algae Care Guide
Chaeto is a popular refugium macro algae used for nutrient export and pod habitat in marine aquariums.
⭐ Friday Frags Care Score
⭐ Difficulty
Beginner
💡 Lighting
Medium to high refugium light
🌊 Flow
Medium tumble flow
📍 Placement
Refugium or algae basket
📈 Growth
Fast
⚠️ Aggression
Peaceful
🍽 Feeding
Uses nitrate and phosphate
🪸 Overview
Chaeto is usually kept in a refugium, sump chamber or algae basket. It does not attach to rock and grows as a wiry ball or mat.
📦 Acclimation Timeline
🌡 Float Bag
Float the sealed bag for 15–20 minutes to match temperature.
💧 Mix Water
Open the bag and slowly add small amounts of tank water over 20–30 minutes.
🪣 Coral Dip
Use a proper coral dip if you normally dip new arrivals. Always follow the product instructions.
💡 Light Acclimate
Start slightly lower in the tank and increase light exposure gradually if needed.
🪸 Place Carefully
Use the guide placement advice and avoid touching fleshy coral tissue.
👀 Observe
Avoid heavy feeding for 24–48 hours and allow the coral time to settle.
Rinse gently in saltwater and place in a lit refugium or basket. Do not bury it under rock.
🧪 Ideal Water Parameters
Temperature
24–26°C
Salinity
1.025
Alkalinity
8–9 dKH
Calcium
420–450 ppm
Magnesium
1300–1400 ppm
Nitrate
2–10 ppm
Phosphate
0.03–0.08 ppm
pH
8.0–8.4
💡 Lighting
Strong refugium lighting encourages growth. A reverse light cycle can help with pH stability.
🌊 Flow
Enough flow to keep it clean and ideally tumbling is helpful, but it can also grow as a loose mass.
🍽 Feeding
Chaeto feeds from nitrate, phosphate, trace elements and light rather than coral foods.
📍 Placement
Best kept in a refugium, sump or dedicated algae holder rather than loose in the display.
❤️ Friday Frags Tips
- Harvest regularly so light reaches the inner mass.
- If it turns white, check nutrients, light and trace elements.
- Great habitat for copepods.
🐛 Pest Awareness
- Aiptasia on attached rubble
- Flatworms
- Nuisance algae mixed in
⚠️ Common Problems
- Turning white
- Not growing
- Collecting detritus
- Breaking apart
❓ FAQ
Is Chaeto Macro Algae beginner friendly?
It is usually considered beginner when kept in stable reef conditions.
Where should I place Chaeto Macro Algae?
A good starting point is refugium or algae basket, then adjust slowly based on extension and colour.
📚 Related Care Guides
Friday Frags Care Note
Every aquarium is different. These guides are based on general reef-keeping practice and Friday Frags experience. Always observe your coral and adjust care if needed.