{"product_id":"chaetomorpha-macro-algae-chaetomorpha-linum-saltwater-refugium","title":"Chaetomorpha Macro Algae (Chaetomorpha linum) | Live Saltwater Refugium Algae","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChaetomorpha Macro Algae\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eChaetomorpha linum\u003c\/em\u003e), commonly called \"chaeto,\" is a hardy, fast-growing marine macroalgae prized by reef keepers for its ability to absorb nitrates and phosphates from saltwater aquariums. Tumbled in a refugium under good light, a clump of chaeto becomes a natural nutrient sponge and a thriving habitat for copepods, amphipods, and other beneficial microfauna.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePair it with the rest of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/salt-water\"\u003esaltwater aquarium supplies\u003c\/a\u003e to keep your reef stable, clean, and full of life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy Chaeto in Your Refugium\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNitrate \u0026amp; phosphate export\u003c\/strong\u003e — pulls dissolved nutrients out of the water column as it grows.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCopepod safe haven\u003c\/strong\u003e — the tangled fronds shelter pods, breeding food for mandarins, wrasses, and corals.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNo sand bed needed\u003c\/strong\u003e — unlike most macros, chaeto is non-rooted and tumbles freely.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReef-safe and pest-free\u003c\/strong\u003e — does not go sexual or release spores like Caulerpa.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEasy to harvest\u003c\/strong\u003e — simply pull off a handful when it overgrows.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlacement:\u003c\/strong\u003e refugium, sump, or display with low flow that keeps the ball gently tumbling.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLighting:\u003c\/strong\u003e a basic refugium light (full-spectrum, 6500K, or red\/blue grow LED) for 8–24 hours daily. Reverse photoperiod with the display tank is ideal for pH stability.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlow:\u003c\/strong\u003e moderate, indirect — enough to keep the clump moving slowly without shredding it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e 72–82°F.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSalinity:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1.024–1.026 specific gravity.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaintenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e harvest a handful every 1–4 weeks once it fills the space.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;\"\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 6px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 6px;\"\u003eChaetomorpha, Chaeto, Spaghetti Algae\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 6px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 6px;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eChaetomorpha linum\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 6px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFamily\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 6px;\"\u003eCladophoraceae\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 6px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare Level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 6px;\"\u003eBeginner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 6px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 6px;\"\u003ePhotosynthetic — feeds on dissolved nitrate \u0026amp; phosphate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 6px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 6px;\"\u003eTropical \u0026amp; subtropical seas worldwide\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 6px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLighting\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 6px;\"\u003eRefugium-style full-spectrum or red\/blue LED\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 6px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlow\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 6px;\"\u003eLow to moderate (gentle tumble)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 6px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Type\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 6px;\"\u003eSaltwater (Marine)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReef-safe. Will not be eaten by most reef fish. Tangs, foxfaces, rabbitfish, and some angels may pick at it — fine in a refugium where the algae is protected. Provides excellent habitat for amphipods and copepods, which become live food for mandarins, scooter blennies, and corals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eRecommended Pairings\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/bulldawg-copepod-mix-live-marine-pods\"\u003eBulldawg Copepod Mix\u003c\/a\u003e — seed your fuge with live pods that breed in the chaeto.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/bulldawg-reef-juice-elite-live-phytoplankton\"\u003eBulldawg Reef Juice Elite Phytoplankton\u003c\/a\u003e — feed the pods, feed the reef.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/saltwater-refractometer-hard-case-atc-salinity-tester\"\u003eSaltwater Refractometer\u003c\/a\u003e — keep salinity dialed in for healthy macro growth.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/bulldawg-reef-juice-no3-po4-eliminator-reef-nutrient-reducer\"\u003eReef Juice NO3 \u0026amp; PO4 Eliminator\u003c\/a\u003e — pair with chaeto for tougher nutrient cases.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/salt-water\"\u003eBrowse all saltwater supplies\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat size is each variant?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSmall Clump fits in your hand; Tennis Ball is roughly fist-sized; Large Clump is a generous softball-sized portion ready to seed a medium refugium.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo I need a special light?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAny refugium-grade full-spectrum or red\/blue grow LED works. Common picks are dedicated refugium pucks or 6500K shop bulbs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill chaeto go sexual like Caulerpa?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo — that's one of its biggest advantages. Chaeto stays vegetative and won't crash your tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow often should I harvest?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhenever it fills more than half the refugium space, pull off a handful. Removing chaeto exports nutrients out of the system.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Small Clump","offer_id":48609574715611,"sku":null,"price":9.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Tennis Ball","offer_id":48609574748379,"sku":"ACCHAETOTB5P","price":19.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Large Clump","offer_id":48609576419547,"sku":null,"price":29.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/49515828_2234651896786990_765786754706833408_n.jpg?v=1776443683","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/chaetomorpha-macro-algae-chaetomorpha-linum-saltwater-refugium","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}