Red Flame Algae (Halymenia floresii)

This wonderfully decorative macroalgae is a great addition to any refugium, and any display tank that does not contain urchins or tangs. The reason it is so great is in a display is not just its looks, but because it attaches to a rock at a very small spot, and it even enjoys just tumbling in a corner – making this algae not invasive at all and very easy to control anywhere you place it. (Easily done with a small spot of superglue or a rubber band, or even tucking into a small crack in a rock. Due to the delicate attachment point it is often not attached when it arrives and is better off done when it arrives in its permanent home) As it grows, it exports nitrates from your reef, another plus!

Care Levels *

• • Bulletproof – To be deemed “bulletproof” at TRF, we have to know that even the newest of newbies couldn’t mess this one up!  Therefore, it cannot be a hard coral, (sadly, as some of our hard corals have earned this title) and it must have already been an easy to keep species to begin with.  These corals can live through almost anything you can throw at them, and in many cases already have!
  • Easy – While not bulletproof, it’s close!  This one won’t mind terribly if your water parameters are a bit off, or if nitrates are a bit high (less than 50).  Just don’t shock them too hard, and they should do well.
  • Moderate – You should probably be well aware what your current calcium and alkalinity levels are to choose this level.  While they will still be resistant to mild swings, a bit more care should be taken to make sure your tank is remaining somewhat stable.
  • Expert – Time to break out the phosphate test; if it gets too low, this one might throw off all of its skin.  If it gets too high, it will probably turn brown and eventually die. If you want something that won’t “take over your tank”, this one will be it!

Feeding *

* No feeding is required, as this is a plant that will feed off both photosynthesis and the nutrients in your water!

Lighting Requirements *

* Our macroalgae is grown in natural sunlight and has been acclimated to Radion lighting. While we cannot say how high or how low you should place it in your tank not knowing what lights you have, we can give you a range based on our own Radion G5 XR Pros.  If it begins looking pale in the first week or so, this is probably because it is receiving too much light; it is unlikely to be not enough if you have a light meant for corals.  Remember, that piece has had to deal with a week of cloudy or snowy weather before in our greenhouse!

Flow Requirements *

This can be a tough one to gauge as well, after all, what is meant by high flow?  Largely comparative, it is difficult to say what high flow means in one tank vs. another.  Below is our best representation of what we mean by our given flow levels, comparative to our Current-USA eFlux Wave and Flow Pumps.

• • Low – This does not mean NO flow, although it may be able to take that.  However, take care not to give this one too much – you may blow it right off of the rock!
  • Moderate – This one will do better if you can see it moving a bit, a gentle sway.  Think waving hands at a concert or football game…a medium tempo back and forth action.
  • High – Forget the sway, this coral says HIT ME and means it!  That said, you can blow the skin off any coral with too much flow in one spot, though that probably won’t happen with this one if you are using diverted flow powerheads.