Growing Gracilaria

Growing Gracilaria can be done in your refugium or in a separate tank. If you are using this macro to feed your fish and require large quantities then it's best to grow it separately because high nutrients are required. One can grow this macro in a refugium and the method is the same with any other macroalgae. The main difference and challenge is keeping this from getting into any intakes. Many hobbyists claim that this macro requires constant tumbling to grow but we have not found it to be the case, at least not with our Gracilaria. Just make sure to keep it free of debris and maintain a good flow rate throughout.

Growing this macroalgae separately is also extremely easy. This is our method and you will need:

1. Air pump.

2. Air line with a check valve to prevent a water siphon back into your air pump.

3. A bucket or small tank. We like buckets because it has the ability to reflect back light onto your macroalgae.

4. Rubble rock or crushed coral. This is to trap any debris that would otherwise be covering your macro.

5. Water from a water change. If the water from your water change is too clean or void of trace elements you may need to use fresh saltwater. If using fresh saltwater, it's important to add some rubble rock and throw in some food like a raw shrimp to start a nitrogen cycle.

6. 5-10k spiral compact fluorescent light bulb with a metal clamp which can be purchased at home depot. Make sure your clamp is secure. You don't want your light falling into your bucket.

We keep a 12 hour lighting schedule with a 23 watt 6.5k bulb in a 5 gallon bucket. Nitrates are hovering around 20ppm and phosphates around 1ppm. However, you may experiment and see what works best for you.

It's also important to water change (10-20%) every harvest to replenish any elements that may have been taken up by the macroalgae. This is key because nitrate and phosphates are not the only nutrients that macroalgae need.

Here is an idea of what the set up looks like:

Here is a video to give you an idea of how much turbulence we use.