Chaeto Chaos

[sen5241b]

My chaeto seems to be coming apart and little strands keep coming loose from the main clump and shooting out into the main display. Its all over the place and it did not do this for the first few months I had it. I have 2 submersible halogen bulbs. The chaeto has been happy since last summer and then about a couple weeks ago it started doing this. It was originally a fist size clump that grew to 2 fists but now it seems a bit smaller. Perhaps the bulbs are getting old? Nitrates have been around 10 for months.

 

[Oscarsdad608]

Do you know the kelvin rating of the bulbs?
What is the flow trough through the cheato like?

 

[sen5241b]

2 10 watt submersible halogen bulbs. I did move the bulbs to hang over the chaeto as opposed to embedding the bulbs right in the chaeto. I don't think that made a difference though. My pump is 365 gph and it moves water thru the chaeto at that rate. The color is a good green with no rot.

http://www.discount-pumps.biz/pond-lights.htm