We know you can't keep Chaetomorpha algae in the display tank as it's a non-rooted macro algae, so it just floats around. If you trap it under a rock, the trapped bit dies and it floats away, getting tangled in your powerheads.

I have a huge ball of it after being away for a week and not wanting to trim it just before I went, and while I was away, I thought "wouldn't it be nice if the Tangs could be in with the chaeto as they can just snack on it and keep it trimmed as it grows, a perfect ecosystem".

I thought, what if we used the kind of fine nylon netting that you get oranges in, to hold a ball of chaeto? It could be tied to a rock to remain grounded and would grow out of the mesh. The Tangs can keep it trimmed back like a hedge, and the main ball would remain fixed and protected by the mesh...

It sounds flawless to me. Can anyone see any potential pitfalls?

Taking inspiration from this kind of contraption for horses.

Ooo. I like it!

I have an idea with my frag tank on how I'm going to grow cheats within it to try and populate it with pods for the ,a drain as well as the obvious nutrient advantages. Gonna put it in egg crate under the frag shelf. See how is works. Will upload pics when I do it. Just waiting on @jase to get his new light all up an running so I can buy / swap something for his old par 38s so I ca get the tank thriving as originally planned.

I do think cheato supplies so many benefits and if your net works would love to know as I'll try this in my dt.

Sod it I'm gonna move it all round tonight once kids are in bed. I got some egg crate here so will see if I have enough to do what I'm wanting.

The more I think about it the more a cheato station, makes sense!

@Steveanem Cheato goes clear when it dies and goes mushy. The chaeto either doesn't have enough flow to make it tumble (try cleaning the return pump or turning up if it's adjustable) or it's catching on coralline or something else rough. ?

that gutter mesh is a good shout, do we know if it's reef safe?

see it it's food grade plastic or not.

That was why I thought the orange/red plastic mesh you get oranges in would be ideal, as it must be "food grade".

Another question is; Is this in place of, or in addition to the chaeto in the sump? Should I leave some in the sump too, or just the chaeto in the net-bag in the tank?!