Calling the macroalgae pros

[BristleWormHater]

Really would love to add some species like red gracilaria, red sea grapes, and a mermaid fan. Does anyone have experience with these? For lighting I have a single ai prime 16hd that I like to run the white at 47% on, to my understanding the macros would like that. Do I need to dose something like chaetogrow? Would I run into any issues adding these to a new tank (around 3 months old)?

 

[Spare time]

Chaetogro would be a good idea. I wouldn't worry about the light being an issue.

 

[shcrimps]

for red gracilaria in my experience it really doesn’t care what you do it just grows
chaeto gro helps for sure especially other kinds like blue hypnea
i think some people also dose neo nitro/ or phos can’t remember which
if im not mistaken mermaids fan is to an extent calcified but normal water changes should be fine for it and red grape is hit or miss in my tanks
sometimes does really well other times the crabs rip it apart but nonetheless grows good and has an amazing growth pattern imo

 

[JoJosReef]

Really would love to add some species like red gracilaria, red sea grapes, and a mermaid fan. Does anyone have experience with these? For lighting I have a single ai prime 16hd that I like to run the white at 47% on, to my understanding the macros would like that. Do I need to dose something like chaetogrow? Would I run into any issues adding these to a new tank (around 3 months old)?

I grew all of those in a 10gal under an AI prime with AB+ spectrum + a little extra whites. I never added chaetogrow or any fertilizer, but I did have 100% TBS live rock and sand and fed the tank well. Chaetogrow in a new tank might be helpful!

I like adding macros very early.

 

[besskurz]

Red gracilaria grows really well as long you have a nutrient rich tank.

keep in mind this limits your tank to some corals that can really do well in such environment.
High phos and nitrates are not necessary what all types of corals like. I keep mainly softs so no big deal.

I dose some iron and chaeto grow.
You will probably have at some point bubble algae. You just have to manage.

No fish, just corals and algae here.

I reduced the amount of dosing to allow a better environment to the corals but the gracilaria is losing it's coloration and it's probably time to pruning.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Really would love to add some species like red gracilaria, red sea grapes, and a mermaid fan. Does anyone have experience with these? For lighting I have a single ai prime 16hd that I like to run the white at 47% on, to my understanding the macros would like that. Do I need to dose something like chaetogrow? Would I run into any issues adding these to a new tank (around 3 months old)?

Theyre all hardy and adding some dragons breath will add color

 

[BristleWormHater]

Red gracilaria grows really well as long you have a nutrient rich tank.

keep in mind this limits your tank to some corals that can really do well in such environment.
High phos and nitrates are not necessary what all types of corals like. I keep mainly softs so no big deal.

I dose some iron and chaeto grow.
You will probably have at some point bubble algae. You just have to manage.

No fish, just corals and algae here.

I reduced the amount of dosing to allow a better environment to the corals but the gracilaria is losing it's coloration and it's probably time to pruning.

Is there any special care required for calcified macros like mermaids fan?

 

[besskurz]

Is there any special care required for calcified macros like mermaids fan?

I had mermaid fan and shaving brush for a short period of time.. I can say much, my emeral crab ate. - he was there to eat bubble algae, but he eats anything .

You need a decent alkalinity / calcium because they are calcareous algae. They work slightly different than these others species we spoke. I would try when your tank is very mature.

Starting with caulerpa or gracilaria will be fun anyway

 

[BristleWormHater]

I had mermaid fan and shaving brush for a short period of time.. I can say much, my emeral crab ate. - he was there to eat bubble algae, but he eats anything .

You need a decent alkalinity / calcium because they are calcareous algae. They work slightly different than these others species we spoke. I would try when your tank is very mature.

Starting with caulerpa or gracilaria will be fun anyway

Got it, thanks!

 

[vlangel]

I have found that the calcareous macros to be more challenging. I have had very good luck with caulerpas but most need to be pruned vigorously or they will take over. Right now I have caulerpa cupressoides which is the exception and is very nice. Also ulva, codium are pretty easy in the greens. I have red grape, halimeda hayi in reds. I have had gracilaria too and they are all nice.

 

[BristleWormHater]

I have found that the calcareous macros to be more challenging. I have had very good luck with caulerpas but most need to be pruned vigorously or they will take over. Right now I have caulerpa cupressoides which is the exception and is very nice. Also ulva, codium are pretty easy in the greens. I have red grape, halimeda hayi in reds. I have had gracilaria too and they are all nice.

Got it, I'll stay away from the calcareous macros for now