Flow in Refugium with chaeto? In back of IM Lagoon 25 gallon pro? Help

[Paulwizal23]

I bought the InTank Refugium holder/slider that goes in the compartment in back of the Innovative Marine 25 gallon tank, I have threw some Clean Chaeto from Algaebarn and some pods, also bought the IM Fuge led that sticks on back of the tank after cutting black wrap in the back. However I notice the chaeto is just on the top, even if I put something to hold it down pieces still float to the top, however this is all fine, but was thinking about put a little pump back there just to keep the chaeto moving? Has anyone done this or think it’s a good idea, instead of it just sitting there with no movement! What kind of pump or flow should I add to the compartment???

 

[andrewey]

I wouldn't worry about the flow for cheato, at least not in the in tank basket. As long as the lighting and nutrients are up to par, the cheato will grow. You can get faster growth with a tumble, but to be honest in a tank of that size, it's probably diminishing returns. Most of my refugiums have been slow moving water without any extra pumps and the cheato grows great. Plus, the lack of disturbance from a pump will mean you'll have a pod hotel!

 

[Chrille26]

My Chaeto is in a low flow part of my sump so its really slow water movement through it, and its grows like crazy. I harvest almost a 0,5 gallon bag each week right now, and its a smaller fuge so thats a third of the basket.
Also I think lower flow helps if you want to have your pods thrive.

 

[Paulwizal23]

Awesome, thank you guys! Yes I want my pods to survive! I want a good population of pods! And good to know that little flow is ok. You guys know your stuff on here. Cheers

 

[NS Mike D]

Ditto. The first picture is my DIY sump cheato sitting on top of a basket of rubble rock, the second picture is the HOB. These are from a single Algae Barn purchase 5 years ago when I set up the tank. I have never seen any of it move, other than expand to fill ever corner like a wire brick. The larger ball in the HOB (with all those pods) was taken from the basket cheato last week, you can see that the basket cheato has already filled in and that light circle on the middle is actually where its sticking out of the water.

So I would say cheato movement is over rated.