Blue Hypnea Macro Algae

SaltyCrew4u · Mar 7, 2025

So I just purchased a small 2 inch piece of live Blue Hypnea Macro Algae for my 36 gallon reef tank. Figured it couldn't hurt with my phos usually running a little high. But anyways, I obviously don't have a tang in a tank this small. What else might try and eat the algae if I place it inside the tank? 10 or so blue legged hermits, 2 pitho (which are probably going to try), starry blenny, the rest im not worried about but they're a clown, wrasse, fire and royal im not worried about. I have an AquaClear 70 HOB that I could try and find a small light for if need be. I'm open for opinions as to where I should place it and if any of my tank mates are going to use it as a snack?

Ocypode sinensis · Mar 8, 2025

it‘s not the best tasting/palatable algae to me, but who knows I’m not a hermit crab lol

tripdad · Mar 8, 2025

Nothing in my reef eats it. I have hermits, snails, angels.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Mar 9, 2025

I'm trying to obtain some now. I hope I can get it to grow in the display as well as a refugium, and I don't mind manual removal, if needed.

Subsea · Mar 9, 2025

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
I'm trying to obtain some now. I hope I can get it to grow in the display as well as a refugium, and I don't mind manual removal, if needed.

<head> <title>Macroalgae For Marine Reef Aquariums: Bryothamnion Sp.

The genus Rhodophyta is the largest and most diverse group of tropical and temperate marine algae with more than 2,000 species worldwide./> <meta name=

www.live-plants.com

It’s the only macro that live plants has at this time. Diving/collecting in the Winter on Florida Gulf coast is hit or miss and many collectors take the month of Febuary off. Because Russ grows it as a sustainable commodity, he doesn’t need to dive to collect it.

I do find their shipping cost high, so I buy in bulk.

Reef. · Mar 9, 2025

I had some, it’s very delicate, mine melted within 24 hours of adding it.
Not sure if the glue I used was to blame, it was reef safe, if I get more i would not use the glue.

Subsea · Mar 9, 2025

SaltyCrew4u said:
So I just purchased a small 2 inch piece of live Blue Hypnea Macro Algae for my 36 gallon reef tank. Figured it couldn't hurt with my phos usually running a little high. But anyways, I obviously don't have a tang in a tank this small. What else might try and eat the algae if I place it inside the tank? 10 or so blue legged hermits, 2 pitho (which are probably going to try), starry blenny, the rest im not worried about but they're a clown, wrasse, fire and royal im not worried about. I have an AquaClear 70 HOB that I could try and find a small light for if need be. I'm open for opinions as to where I should place it and if any of my tank mates are going to use it as a snack?

<head> <title>Macroalgae For Marine Reef Aquariums: Bryothamnion Sp.

The genus Rhodophyta is the largest and most diverse group of tropical and temperate marine algae with more than 2,000 species worldwide./> <meta name=

www.live-plants.com

Hypnea is one of only a few species of purple-blue macro algae species available in the United States. It's similar to the rarer Caribbean algae ochtodes,but has finer branches and some iridescent qualities. Since it's importation to the U.S. it's become a very popular algae for the marine aquarium. It features coarse, bushy, compact branches that grow as small clumps or mounds. With bright light the algae will often turn a blue-green color on the top. It's hardy and grows quite well in captivity, but can also be a bit difficult to keep long term as it doesn't like sudden changes in salinity, temp or ph which can cause it to die back. It's not very palatable to fish or invertebrates.

Aquarium Care Information

Scientific Name: Hypnea pannosa

Common Name: Blue Ball

Origin: Indo Pacific

Depth Collected: 5 - 50 feet

Maximum Height: 6"

Growth Rate: Moderate

Light: Moderate to High

Temperature: 74-80

Propagation: Fragmentation, Sporulation

Difficulty: Moderate

Food Value: Not Very Palatable

Nutrient Uptake: Good

Flow Rate: Moderate

SaltyCrew4u · Mar 9, 2025

Subsea said:
<head> <title>Macroalgae For Marine Reef Aquariums: Bryothamnion Sp.

The genus Rhodophyta is the largest and most diverse group of tropical and temperate marine algae with more than 2,000 species worldwide./> <meta name=

www.live-plants.com

Well If my new macro arrives and survives I can try them out. How much do they charge for shipping? I paid 35 for the same size they are selling for $15... live and learn I guess lol.

JoJosReef · Mar 9, 2025

Subsea said:
<head> <title>Macroalgae For Marine Reef Aquariums: Bryothamnion Sp.

The genus Rhodophyta is the largest and most diverse group of tropical and temperate marine algae with more than 2,000 species worldwide./> <meta name=

www.live-plants.com

It’s the only macro that live plants has at this time. Diving/collecting in the Winter on Florida Gulf coast is hit or miss and many collectors take the month of Febuary off. Because Russ grows it as a sustainable commodity, he doesn’t need to dive to collect it.

I do find their shipping cost high, so I buy in bulk.

That's my problem. I want to get a few sponges and gorgs, but waiting for someone local that wants to split shipping with me. They don't have much macro in stock just now.

On a side note, mosaicmacros had Padina in stock last night!

Subsea · Mar 9, 2025

JoJosReef said:
That's my problem. I want to get a few sponges and gorgs, but waiting for someone local that wants to split shipping with me. They don't have much macro in stock just now.

On a side note, mosaicmacros had Padina in stock last night!

If you had a small local reef club, you could do a group buy.

When winter subsides, Russ will renew collections.

Reeftopia shut down their operations down for 1 month.

JoJosReef · Mar 9, 2025

Golden Brown Scroll Macroalgae | Padina sanctae-crucis

Macroalgae for sale for the reef tank! Caulerpa, Ogo, Hypnea, Dragon's Breath, Ulva, and so much more!

mosaicmacros.com

I understand these should be under high light and some turbulent flow. Hrmm...

JoJosReef · Mar 9, 2025

JoJosReef said:
Golden Brown Scroll Macroalgae | Padina sanctae-crucis

Macroalgae for sale for the reef tank! Caulerpa, Ogo, Hypnea, Dragon's Breath, Ulva, and so much more!

mosaicmacros.com

I understand these should be under high light and some turbulent flow. Hrmm...

Forgot to tag you @Subsea

Subsea · Mar 9, 2025

JoJosReef said:
Golden Brown Scroll Macroalgae | Padina sanctae-crucis

Macroalgae for sale for the reef tank! Caulerpa, Ogo, Hypnea, Dragon's Breath, Ulva, and so much more!

mosaicmacros.com

I understand these should be under high light and some turbulent flow. Hrmm...

Not all are the same.

I can grow under low flow & light, any of the fast growing Feather Caulerpa and they display well , as well as behave.

I have not been impressed with Pandina. It requires intense lighting and for my money, is not worth the effort.

Russ Kronwetter at GCE / Live Plants wrote the Bible on utility & ornamental seaweeds. And he provided free online guide:

Marine Plants In The Aquarium: An online guide to the identification and care of marine plants and macroalgae in the aquarium.

An online guide to the identification and care of marine plants and macroalgae in the aquarium.

www.marineplantbook.com

Subsea · Mar 9, 2025

SaltyCrew4u said:
Well If my new macro arrives and survives I can try them out. How much do they charge for shipping? I paid 35 for the same size they are selling for $15... live and learn I guess lol.

I think the smallest box they ship is about $50. I can cram $100 of product into that box.

They have very nice Gorgonions and Sponges as well as the best price on snails as a member of the CUC.

SaltyCrew4u · Mar 9, 2025

Subsea said:
I think the smallest box they ship is about $50. I can cram $100 of product into that box.

They have very nice Gorgonions and Sponges as well as the best price on snails as a member of the CUC.

What PAR/flow should I use for Blue Hypnea?

tripdad · Mar 9, 2025

I got mine from cultivated reef. I have it under 350 par, medium flow. It will attach itself if you can keep it in place for a few weeks. It has grown very well, I actually had to shift some of it into another tank

goody · Mar 10, 2025

SaltyCrew4u said:
What PAR/flow should I use for Blue Hypnea?

I have mine under medium flow (jebao OW10 and SLW10) in both "tanks". In my refugium it grows great under a freshwater full spectrum. I also have some in my macro tank under a hydra26hd. Doesn't seem to grow as well in there but can't attribute that to too much light. My sump/refugium is acrylic and the blue hypnea grows nicely on the walls. I actually just took a couple of pieces and have them on a small piece of acrylic to see how fast it attaches and grows. Also have some attached to plastic knitting squares for same test.

SaltyCrew4u · Mar 10, 2025

goody said:
I have mine under medium flow (jebao OW10 and SLW10) in both "tanks". In my refugium it grows great under a freshwater full spectrum. I also have some in my macro tank under a hydra26hd. Doesn't seem to grow as well in there but can't attribute that to too much light. My sump/refugium is acrylic and the blue hypnea grows nicely on the walls. I actually just took a couple of pieces and have them on a small piece of acrylic to see how fast it attaches and grows. Also have some attached to plastic knitting squares for same test.

Pics?

goody · Mar 11, 2025

SaltyCrew4u said:
Pics?

You can see a couple pieces of acrylic on the bottom of the breeder box but also little pieces that have started growing on the sides of the box. I also have some in a plastic pencil tray (At least that's what I use it for in my classroom). I do have bubble algae in my fuge and it loves the acrylic walls too. And you might be able to see the black knitting piece with the algae growing on it.

SaltyCrew4u · Mar 13, 2025

goody said:
You can see a couple pieces of acrylic on the bottom of the breeder box but also little pieces that have started growing on the sides of the box. I also have some in a plastic pencil tray (At least that's what I use it for in my classroom). I do have bubble algae in my fuge and it loves the acrylic walls too. And you might be able to see the black knitting piece with the algae growing on it.

Just got my two pieces of Hypnea and as I'm think about where to put them in my tank, my starry blenny is staring at me, then it hit me, he is going to devour this isn't he? Has anyone had any issue with this? This dude EATS whenever he can. What should I do? I only use an AquaClear70 and idk if I could put it in there and purchase a super tiny grow light?