what is all the hype about chaeto?

[johnwin84]

Does it actually help the tank...

 

[Kaiden]

Yup, it absorbs nutrients (fish waste, etc) and keeps the water cleaner.

 

[Rick]

Converts nitrates into plant material so that it can be removed.

 

[pookstreet]

Chaeto is good for nutrient export but if you have better means of doing it other ways, such as a fine tuned skimmer, you won't really need it. In fact, if you keep your water quality high, chaeto probably won't grow too well. And if it grows like nuts, then it means you have way more work to do.

 

[Kenfuzed]

Chaeto is also the ideal home to grow pods and other microfauna. Unlike other types of macro algae like caulerpa there isn't a risk of having it go asexual and turning to mush. I allow it to grow into a thick mat and use it as a natural filter instead of filter floss.