Culturing macroalgae

[MThompson]

A few friends of mine have a small reptile/product distribution company, where they sell to several pet stores that also have marine stuff. I have the opportunity to sell my stuff (frags, macros, etc) through them.

I am wondering what the best way to culture halimeda is. I have two options, as I see it...

1 - cut stalks, and lay them on their sides (partially buried), and allow them to sprout new stalks from each node. then, bundle the whole thing.

2 - Harvest clumps off my rocks, band a few together.


I tried #2, and the clumps look bad because the different angles they grew at. I am waiting to see if they will look better after a week or so. I think that #1 will produce a better looking clump, but it may be less reliable.

Anyone have any suggestions? I also have a few kinds of Caulerpa, Chaeto, and several Red algae that I want to culture

Thanks, Miles

[MThompson]

Anyone?

[lancer99]

No idea...never heard of anyone fragging Halimeda before!

IIRC, there are two varieties of types of Halimeda, one that will only grow on rocks, and one that grows happily in the sand.

Anyway, it should be an interesting experiment....please let us know what you try and what the results are!

Thx,
-R