Crimson seaweed: What is your experience with red macroalgae?

[Peace River]

Crimson seaweed: What is your experience with red macroalgae?

Red macroalgae is gorgeous and (at least in my case) seemingly elusive! Of all the types of macroalgae, I have found red macroalgae to be more challenging. Today let’s talk about your experience with red macroalgae – have you tried to grow it in your tank? Have you been successful? If so, please share your tips and we’d love to see your pictures!

Photo by @Tigahboy

 

[SauceyReef]

None really, but I just got some live-rock that is covered in 2-3 types of red macro algae, and red coralline! I am thinking one of them is Gracilaria. Hoping it all lives long term, and starts growing like the photo above.

 

[MoshJosh]

I voted "thrived", however, that was only in my high nutrient tank with a plant light on it haha. In my lower nutrient system (current system) it all died.

 

[Slocke]

I have struggled but only because it was competing with grape caulerpa and then I added Mexican turbo snails that were starving in my reef tank. The snails loved the dragons breath, red gracilaria, and red grape macroalgaes in there far more than the caulerpa which ended my red macroalgae collection sadly.

 

[Victor Guyton]

Crimson seaweed: What is your experience with red macroalgae?

Red macroalgae is gorgeous and (at least in my case) seemingly elusive! Of all the types of macroalgae, I have found red macroalgae to be more challenging. Today let’s talk about your experience with red macroalgae – have you tried to grow it in your tank? Have you been successful? If so, please share your tips and we’d love to see your pictures!

View attachment 3080684
Photo by @Tigahboy

My tangs eat it.

 

[Slocke]

So red light grows green algae well but presumably does nothing for red algae. Is green light the secret to growing red macros?

 

[Pelagikos]

Just added mine from Algae Barn about 3 weeks ago. It's TRIpled in size. My nitrates are higher than most feel comfortable with, but the macros love it apparently.

I think it adds a cool natural look to the reef and also acts as a natural barrier between my euphyillia.

 

[Monkey D Luffy]

No experience yet but I do plan to make a display macroalgae tank

 

[RobinC]

I ordered 3 types of gracilaria including Dragon's tongue 2 weeks ago. They are currently in a 10g holding tank with a grow light, as I am still plumbing their 40g breeder, and plumbing that into my 90g sump. So far so good, but I am replacing 2 cups of nutrient water from main tank daily, and I added dove snails which are supposed to eat bacteria & detritus off of their leaves. I also added 3 banggai's (they are very small) in there with them. They still look great after 2 weeks, but too soon to know for sure.

 

[RobinC]

So red light grows green algae well but presumably does nothing for red algae. Is green light the secret to growing red macros?

This guy has a lot of videos on growing macro algae. I've been watching a lot of videos lately, and this guy seems to know his stuff. He says red macro needs more blue and less light than others. (darker part of tank)

 

[mavl666]

My tangs just loved to eat it.

 

[KrisReef]

I have a tiny sliver of red macro that was in my refugium with Chaeto in the Wifes fish tank. The Chaeto grew enormous, when I harvested it I found the sliver of red was still alive and maybe grew abit? Tank is high nutrients. I added another ball of red algae and presume it will survive while the Chaeto soaks up all the nutrients. I may change the spectrum to see if the blue light grows the red faster?

 

[death-by-reef]

Crimson seaweed: What is your experience with red macroalgae?

Red macroalgae is gorgeous and (at least in my case) seemingly elusive! Of all the types of macroalgae, I have found red macroalgae to be more challenging. Today let’s talk about your experience with red macroalgae – have you tried to grow it in your tank? Have you been successful? If so, please share your tips and we’d love to see your pictures!

View attachment 3080684
Photo by @Tigahboy

i have sum in my tank right now!! its amazing.

 

[joekidwell]

I've been growing red macro for profit and for looks for the past 10 years. In my experience it grows faster with metal halid than LED's Since I switched all my lights to LED it grows but not as prolific as it used to.

 

[Monkey D Luffy]

Pics look amazing. Anyone possibly want to send me some

 

[Diastro]

I love red macroalgae. I grow them in a full spectrum plant light and have had no issues. Enormous growth on all of them in fact.

Right now I have dragons tounge, gracilaria mammalaris, red pearl algae, red grape algae, and acid rain.

I know these aren't the real names, hobby names, but Im not sure what the scientific names are.

 

[JoJosReef]

I have struggled but only because it was competing with grape caulerpa and then I added Mexican turbo snails that were starving in my reef tank. The snails loved the dragons breath, red gracilaria, and red grape macroalgaes in there far more than the caulerpa which ended my red macroalgae collection sadly.

I am transferring my two nanos into a 40g Long tank over the next couple of week. Working out a plan to run two acrylic rods across the tank above the water line and set up some "hanging baskets" for red macros to keep the urchin and turbos away!

 

[ClownSchool]

Crimson seaweed: What is your experience with red macroalgae?

Red macroalgae is gorgeous and (at least in my case) seemingly elusive! Of all the types of macroalgae, I have found red macroalgae to be more challenging. Today let’s talk about your experience with red macroalgae – have you tried to grow it in your tank? Have you been successful? If so, please share your tips and we’d love to see your pictures!

View attachment 3080684
Photo by @Tigahboy

Dragon’s breath has alway ‘grown well’ in my tank, but is a favorite of my cleanup crew and herbivores.

 

[Vsnutz]

Things ate it, LOL. I had a Valentini puffer that enjoyed it, didn't know they did. And some snails and crabs chipped in.

 

[FreshSaltyGuy]

None really, but I just got some live-rock that is covered in 2-3 types of red macro algae, and red coralline! I am thinking one of them is Gracilaria. Hoping it all lives long term, and starts growing like the photo above.

Where did you get the live rock? Good price?