Red Gracilaria

[gonzach]

I am following up on a question someone had posted a while back regarding the growth of Red Gracilaria (seaweed, macro algae). Could someone tell me what is the optimal environment for which Red Gracilaria will grow? I have a separate 27 gallon tall Hex tank set up with a large pump inside for strong circulation. I have tried to grow Gracilaria in this tank before but it did not seem to last that long, (about 3 months) and the Tangs ate it faster than I could grow it. It did not burn off with white color or fade as some people have seen while keeping in low nutirent systems. It appeared to be 'staying alive', but no growth. What are ALL of the requirements for optimum growth? Has anyone had any success with growing Gracilaria?

*Lighting? Are Florescent plant bulbs adequate?
*Water Movement?
*Movement of Gracilaria?
*Salinity?
*Temperature?
*Nutrient Levels (most imporatant)? What do I feed Gracilaria and how often? Keep High Nutrient levels?
*Any dosing of Iodine or Calcium?
*Keep it by itself or with Live Rock and Fish?

Thanks,
Chris

 

[piercho]

In my system, it seems to grow best for me in areas of stronger water movement. It is in both my main tank and refugia under 250W 6500K MH. I add chelated iron, daily, to the system. I make up evap loss with limewater. I don't add any other additives, but I do perform a large water exchange (more than 30%) every 6 to 9 weeks. My system nutrient levels are not measureable with hobby test kits (too low). I grow it along with other macros for export, and have never tried to create optimal growth conditions for it.

 

[Kirk_M]

I keep it in my refugium, under a 6500K "daylight" compact fluorescent bulb I got at Home Depot (Lights of America, screw in type, that I have in a little clip on worklight). It grows out of control, even faster than the caulerpa I have in there. It will "green out" every once in a while, but, it never stops growing. I find that if I leave the lights on in the 'fuge 24 hours a day, it will go green and fade a little, but, normal daylight cycling will keep it red. I also have found that if I DO keep the lights on 24 hours a day (which I like to do due to the presence of the caulerpa), if I flip the whole mass over every few days, the greening part will go red again, and that which is closest to the light will slowly fade, at which point I repeat the proceedure. I cut out maybe 1/2 of it a month and toss it, and give little 2" clippings every few days to my tang.

 

[gonzach]

Kirk_M

Kirk_M

Interesting. So, I should set a timer on the lights?... maybe set it 12 hours on and 12 hours off? Also, I have been to Home Depot... and I have never seen the 6500K Florescent bulbs? I will definately look for them. How many watts are each? The clip on Reflector I bought at Home depot can only support up to 100Watts ... anything higher may be dangerous... start a fire. Is the clip on worklight you have ok for these bulbs? I just set up a 27 gallon Hex fish tank in my garage where the temperature is very cool... I was told Graciliaria does much better in cold water temperatures for better growth (60 - 70'sF). The Hex has a side spray bar for a strong circular water movement. The sump is a large Garbage Can with Live Rock for filtration the return is a 1200 Gallon ph Pump. The tank will have about 1 & 1/2 pounds of Graciliaria. I will add a second pump in the bottom of the tank to push the Graciliaria up and keep it moving. How much, what food and how often do I feed th Graciliaria? There will be no fish in this system, just Gracilaria, so I am just feeding the Graciliaria. People who farm this stuff in Florida use water right from the bay where the nutirent levels are high which seems to really help Gracilaria grow fast. Also, Pierco, Where can I get chelated Iron? Which supplement... Kent marine?

 

[Kirk_M]

Re: Kirk_M

Re: Kirk_M

Interesting. So, I should set a timer on the lights?... maybe set it 12 hours on and 12 hours off? Also, I have been to Home Depot... and I have never seen the 6500K Florescent bulbs? I will definately look for them. How many watts are each? The clip on Reflector I bought at Home depot can only support up to 100Watts ... anything higher may be dangerous... start a fire. Is the clip on worklight you have ok for these bulbs?

The bulb is 19 watts. Screw-in type. Commercial Electric model EDXOS-19. I said Lights of America before, but was wrong...just looked at the bulb. I don't know about the time cycling for sure, that is just my limited experience with it.

 

[BlAcK_PeRcUlA]

Kirk_M,

Where'd you get your graciliaria? Thanks

 

[gonzach]

Indo Pacific Sea Farms in Kailua-Kona (www.ipsf.com)! They call it "Tang Heaven",

 

[Kirk_M]

Kirk_M,

Where'd you get your graciliaria? Thanks

Bought it at the LFS.