Buy Chaeto from ReefSump.com Here
Chaetomorpha or chaeto for short is one of the most desirable macroalgae used in reef tank refugiums to naturally reduce nitrates and keep nuisance algae like green hair algae at bay from entering the display tank. Throughout my reef-keeping journey, I’ve almost always run a refugium on my tank with chaeto as the macroalgae. Over the years I’ve shipped many chaeto packages to friends and fellow reefers to help them establish their own refugium. Getting chaeto to arrive alive and healthy requires proper packaging materials and the right amount of saltwater. In this article, I share exactly how I’ve shipped many packages of chaeto to fellow reefers with a very high rate of success.
What is Chaeto and why is it used with reef Tanks?
Chaetomorpha or chaeto is a type of macroalgae commonly utilized in reef aquariums. Chaeto is green and stringy that grows together in tight clumps, balls, or mats of algae. Chaeto is often kept in the refugium section where it is given its own light source and ideal growing conditions and is used to battle unwanted nutrients in a reef tank.
Chaeto has many benefits in a reef tank. The main benefit that chaeto provides is a direct and natural form of nutrient exportation. Chaeto utilizes both light and nitrates within the tank’s water to grow. Elevated nitrates can be bad for a reef tank and lead to nuisance algae issues or worse, poor tank health. As Chaeto grows it is converting light and nutrients into more chaeto. When the Chaeto has filled a refugium it can be trimmed and in doing so, you are directly removing excessive nutrients from the tank that are locked up in the Chaeto. By cultivating Chaeto you are growing algae in an ideal contained environment which helps keep nuisance algae out of the display tank.
Another advantage to having Chaeto in a refugium is to give a nice home to Copepods. Copepods thrive in refugiums with Chaeto. The tight spaghetti-like structure of Chaeto allows the small copepods lots of shelter for them to thrive in the reef tank. Having Chaeto is another cool feature of a reef tank that I enjoy showing off and explaining to friends how reef tanks work.
Why ship Chaeto?
When new reefers or friends start new tanks they may have a need for chaeto and at times can be a bit hard to find. Most local reef stores carry chaeto, but it can be variable whether they grow it in-house or have local reefers donate it. Being able to provide chaeto and ship it through the mail can really help others set up their own refugium. I’ve even been able to trade frags for chaeto with fellow reefers on occasion.
Supplies needed to successfully ship Chaeto?
Shipping supplies are rather basic for shipping Chaeto and include the following:
Bubble mailers
Ziplock bags
How to properly pack chaeto for shipping
Here are the steps to properly pack chaeto for shipping:
1. Grab a handful of chaeto out of your refugium and cut it away from the main Chaeto structure with a sharp pair of scissors.
2. Inspect the Chaeto to make sure there are no unwanted hitchhikers going with your Chaeto. Common hitchhikers in Chaeto are fireworms, aiptasia, and flatworms. If you have these remove them from the Chaeto or don’t ship.
3. Place the ball of chaeto into one of the ziplock bags. Repeat until you have the amount of Chaeto you want to send. Use quart bags for 1-2 handfuls and gallon bags for 3-4 hand fulls.
4. Add water from the tank to the bag. Use about 3-4 ounces for 1-2 cups and 4-5 ounces for 3-4 cups.
5. With the opening of the bag open press down on the Chaeto to remove the majority of air out of the bag. The bag should be relatively flat and at that point close the ziplock.
6. Fold the empty flap over onto the Chaeto and use packing tape to tape the flap down onto the bag.
7. Take the flat bag of Chaeto and place it within a second zip lock bag.
8. Repeat steps 5 and 6 to have a very secure bag of chaeto.
9. Place the bag of chaeto into your bubble mailer and seal.
10. Tape or write your shipping information on the front of the mailer and send.
How much saltwater is needed to ship chaeto?
Chaeto does not require that much saltwater for shipping, for 1-2 handfuls use 3-4 ounces and for 3-4 handfuls use 4-5 ounces. You basically just don’t want the Chaeto to dry out during shipment.
How long can chaeto be in the mail for?
Chaeto can be in the mail for up to 2 weeks. I’ve had shipments delayed for 2 plus weeks in the dead of winter make it alive and healthy. This will be variable as to the temperatures and length of the time the chaeto is exposed to during shipping. Quicker shipping is best for anything alive. I usually use USPS first class mailing without issue. Keep in mind that shipping around Thanksgiving and Christmas timeframes can be fraught with delays. Chaeto is typically very hardy and makes it most of the time in the mail.
