I've never been successful in growing chaeto in my fuge till recently but mine is growing pretty well now. How much do you prune it back when you take it out? Do you try to do anything to preserve the pods and other life in the harvested chaeto?
I'm glad to hear it is growing well for you. I honestly wonder if it is a different strain. The tank that I removed it from grows faster than the other two. As for pods, I like to shake it a little in the water. Sometimes I will pick it up and put it in the main display and shake pods out up there.
I also dip it in display and look for any I can dislodge with my finger. I also try and save stars and worms too. I cut mine in half and like to flip so underside faces up.
