Chaetomorpha

Chaetomorpha , commonly known as Cheato, Spaghetti Algae, or Chaeto, is the go-to refugium algae in modern reef aquariums. Its thick, intertwined green filaments form dense, robust clumps that constitute one of the most efficient, safest, and easiest-to-maintain biological filtration systems available.

His role in the baccalaureate

A first-rate natural biological filter feeder, Chaeto is highly efficient at absorbing excess nitrates, phosphates, and nutrients. When grown in a refugium with adequate lighting, a clump of Chaeto can maintain very low nutrient levels in reef systems. It also provides habitat for amphipods, copepods, and other beneficial microfauna that colonize its filaments—a natural live food source for mandarin fish and other zooplankton predators.

Growing conditions

• Lighting: Moderate to strong — 8–16 hours per day in the refugium. Reverse cycle lighting compared to the main aquarium to stabilize nighttime pH
• Water flow: moderate — agitate the clump for even growth
• Temperature: 22–27°C
• Salinity: 1.023–1.026
• pH: 7.8–8.4 (normal natural day/night fluctuation in a reef tank)

Advantages vs Caulerpa

Chaeto is preferred over Caulerpa in refugiums for several reasons: it doesn't spore (no risk of nutrient crash), it's easy to harvest, and it doesn't clog pipes. Regularly harvesting Chaeto allows for the physical removal of nutrients from the system.