Sure, I'm nuts, he says, as he's sewing LEDs into his wife's lingerie…
Caribbean Biotope Seagrass Tank
- Thread starter Michael Hoaster
- Start date
sam.basye
New member
Caribbean Biotope Seagrass Tank
I've been told numerous times that if my wife dies before me, I'm not allowed to get remarried. Lol
My response is always - I'll just replace you with fish tanks! Haha
I think she's okay with that...
I wouldn't be surprised if you had the Calliactis tricolor anemones, sea pansies, and sea whips natively in the MD bay areas. I've never been north of SC for beach trips, but I assume it's pretty much the same as the VA, NC, SC coast. I have found (live) big yellow Sea whips in the intertidal inlets in SC where the water was cold around October.
I only find the tricolor nems washed up on the beach, but they live symbiotically with the thin stripe hermits that live in the intertidal estuaries.
I caught some baby northern Atlantic puffers and baby filefish last year and found a little Atlantic pistol shrimp.
I've never seen any blennies though.
I've been told numerous times that if my wife dies before me, I'm not allowed to get remarried. Lol
My response is always - I'll just replace you with fish tanks! Haha
I think she's okay with that...
I wouldn't be surprised if you had the Calliactis tricolor anemones, sea pansies, and sea whips natively in the MD bay areas. I've never been north of SC for beach trips, but I assume it's pretty much the same as the VA, NC, SC coast. I have found (live) big yellow Sea whips in the intertidal inlets in SC where the water was cold around October.
I only find the tricolor nems washed up on the beach, but they live symbiotically with the thin stripe hermits that live in the intertidal estuaries.
I caught some baby northern Atlantic puffers and baby filefish last year and found a little Atlantic pistol shrimp.
I've never seen any blennies though.
Last edited:
sam.basye
New member
Chasmodes
Well-known member
Thanks guys, points taken, and I agree. I actually do have a build thread, it's just that I haven't posted on it in a while because I didn't have anything to really update on.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=839286
But, yes, the lighting discussion should have been there. I definitely will post as I complete my purchases, should be this weekend. I just didn't think that I should post there without a good reason to do so, but asking questions are good reasons, so I goofed up there.
I think that the reason that I've talked about it so much here is that there are similarities between your tank (Michael) and mine, and also a little with Sam's since he kept a sheepshead minnow and it's possible that I might too.
Thanks again for your patience with me and also for answering my questions both here and elsewhere.
Now, back to your tank Michael. What's next? :bounce1:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=839286
But, yes, the lighting discussion should have been there. I definitely will post as I complete my purchases, should be this weekend. I just didn't think that I should post there without a good reason to do so, but asking questions are good reasons, so I goofed up there.
I think that the reason that I've talked about it so much here is that there are similarities between your tank (Michael) and mine, and also a little with Sam's since he kept a sheepshead minnow and it's possible that I might too.
Thanks again for your patience with me and also for answering my questions both here and elsewhere.
Now, back to your tank Michael. What's next? :bounce1:
That's right, you DO have a thread! You should post something to get it moved back up the list.
I've thoroughly enjoyed the discussion! Can't wait to see more!
What's next for me is two new plants come in today! Tim is still hangin' in his new spot. I've seen a few spaghetti worms! Hallelujah!
I've thoroughly enjoyed the discussion! Can't wait to see more!
What's next for me is two new plants come in today! Tim is still hangin' in his new spot. I've seen a few spaghetti worms! Hallelujah!
Chasmodes
Well-known member
I got most of the new plants placed. As usual, GCE sent great portions! I scored a few hitchhiker worms to boot, adding more diversity to the sand bed.
I guess everything's humming along fine. I'm enjoying the journey, back to a healthy, well-planted ecosystem!
I guess everything's humming along fine. I'm enjoying the journey, back to a healthy, well-planted ecosystem!
Note the halimeda on the back wall.
The three white arrows point to the three tiny purple sponges. I'm very excited about these!
It's coming along.
Tim is now in a snail shell. He can fully hide in it!
Still loving the rubble. There's at least three different worms in there. Between them and the pods, I've got an active detrivore community.
The ulva at the top is growing pretty well now.
JZinCO
New member
Glad to see the update. I also like when I see some monstrous sponge growth. I have a 2" shelf rock with sponges thicker than it on the bottom, with about 6 colors and a few varieties of shapes.
Did you by chance see the elephant ear sponge on sale at GCE? I just put in an order and at $6, decided to throw that in.
I bought a panamic barnacle blenny a few days ago as well.
Anyway, your tank is looking suh-weet. I remember asking months ago if your prior algae on the back wall was halimeda. Well, now that you have it, I am really interested to see how it does.
Did you by chance see the elephant ear sponge on sale at GCE? I just put in an order and at $6, decided to throw that in.
I bought a panamic barnacle blenny a few days ago as well.
Anyway, your tank is looking suh-weet. I remember asking months ago if your prior algae on the back wall was halimeda. Well, now that you have it, I am really interested to see how it does.
Thanks JZinCO. Good to hear from you again!
It sounds like you're getting some good sponge growth. I did see those sponges at GCE. I had one of those ear sponges before, and it did well. I haven't purchased any new sponges yet, as I'm watching what I have first, to see if I can get them to grow.
Those blennies are fun fish aren't they? I hope to get mine some friends, when they're available again.
You're the one that got me to look into halimeda, for my wall! Hopefully it will survive.
It sounds like you're getting some good sponge growth. I did see those sponges at GCE. I had one of those ear sponges before, and it did well. I haven't purchased any new sponges yet, as I'm watching what I have first, to see if I can get them to grow.
Those blennies are fun fish aren't they? I hope to get mine some friends, when they're available again.
You're the one that got me to look into halimeda, for my wall! Hopefully it will survive.
I thought you'd get a kick out of the pic of Tim in a shell, Chasmodes. It really shows how little he is!
I'm really hoping those purple sponges take off. I still can't believe I found them cleaning up muck 'n stuff.
To me the, Halimeda looks too 'man-planted' right now, but I'm hoping they like the location and flourish. If they do, it's likely they will 'naturalize' and look better. I really hope to keep the ulva growing up top. Between it, the halimeda, and whatever else I can get to grow up there, I hope to get a nice overhang, so the lower 2/3s of the back wall are shaded.
I'm really hoping those purple sponges take off. I still can't believe I found them cleaning up muck 'n stuff.
To me the, Halimeda looks too 'man-planted' right now, but I'm hoping they like the location and flourish. If they do, it's likely they will 'naturalize' and look better. I really hope to keep the ulva growing up top. Between it, the halimeda, and whatever else I can get to grow up there, I hope to get a nice overhang, so the lower 2/3s of the back wall are shaded.
sam.basye
New member
It looks like it's all wedged in one long seam or crack? Nature generally doesn't follow straight lines. Mix it up a little bit and it will look more natural. Less Michaelized. Lol
JZinCO
New member
Not to hijack but I think it looks fine.
Plus there are enough straight lines (trees growing in calm winds, crystals, travelling photons, mineral cleaves, soda straws) and straightish lines (most trees, soil horizons, geologic faults) that I wouldn't be concerned with straight lines looking unnatural.
Anyway it'll grow over and look 'natural' in time.
Plus there are enough straight lines (trees growing in calm winds, crystals, travelling photons, mineral cleaves, soda straws) and straightish lines (most trees, soil horizons, geologic faults) that I wouldn't be concerned with straight lines looking unnatural.
Anyway it'll grow over and look 'natural' in time.
Yeah that's what I don't like about it, sam.basye.
But, it works for practical reasons, for now. It's an overlapping seam in the pond foam that holds plants perfectly. Unfortunately, it's pretty straight, so they're all lined up, up there. That's an interesting thought, on any future possible fake walls. There are several more, planted on the substrate as well. The GCE portions are big! My hope is that they will grow and spread, and will naturally, get more natural.
So it's a temporary unnaturallity. I'm sure I'll be adjusting them, as I see what I want. Overnight, one in the middle, fell down onto the DSB. It helps to break up the line, so I'll leave it. Nature finds a way.
I guess the same goes for my lovely rubber bands. They're not pretty, but they present practical advantages that can help me achieve my goals. But it does bring up the question, when is it ok to have unnatural additions to your aquarium, and when is it not? For me, it's ok because my tank is bouncing back from hypo. But at what point is it 'done'? For photos?
It's a work in progress. So I don't mind a little less perfection to get there.
But, it works for practical reasons, for now. It's an overlapping seam in the pond foam that holds plants perfectly. Unfortunately, it's pretty straight, so they're all lined up, up there. That's an interesting thought, on any future possible fake walls. There are several more, planted on the substrate as well. The GCE portions are big! My hope is that they will grow and spread, and will naturally, get more natural.
So it's a temporary unnaturallity. I'm sure I'll be adjusting them, as I see what I want. Overnight, one in the middle, fell down onto the DSB. It helps to break up the line, so I'll leave it. Nature finds a way.
I guess the same goes for my lovely rubber bands. They're not pretty, but they present practical advantages that can help me achieve my goals. But it does bring up the question, when is it ok to have unnatural additions to your aquarium, and when is it not? For me, it's ok because my tank is bouncing back from hypo. But at what point is it 'done'? For photos?
It's a work in progress. So I don't mind a little less perfection to get there.
See sea squirts upper middle.
I moved some excess ulva from up top to the roots.
These were on the root, but didn't look right, so I moved them to the left end of the tank. I think it might like the lower current.
These two grasilarias look kind of flattened by the current, but they may be just growing away from the light.
Note more natural halimeda placement.
My wife turned me onto a spool of clear rubber band-like stuff, but it was too thin. I found some wider stuff, but it wasn't stretchy enough. I'm still looking. Dying is outside my comfort zone. Every time I take pictures I'm reminded how ugly they are. The light purple ones look the least bad, since they blend in with the coralline algae somewhat.
It has been a difficult problem, trying to get plants growing on the roots. With low light and strong current, it's quite a challenge. By the way, my snails ate the dictoya again, so I'll have to give up on that one.
My overall plan is to get some plants on the well-lit roots and some sponges and other encrusting stuff on the dim-lit roots.
I'm encouraged with the tiny sponge frags I have, as they seem to be growing. If I can get conditions optimized for them, I would expect them to spread around themselves. With my bad luck with store-bought sponges, I'm more inclined to see what my tank can support sponge-wise, with the ones I already have on the live rock. From what I've read, sponges filter huge amounts of water, so I would expect my tank to support only so much sponge mass.
It has been a difficult problem, trying to get plants growing on the roots. With low light and strong current, it's quite a challenge. By the way, my snails ate the dictoya again, so I'll have to give up on that one.
My overall plan is to get some plants on the well-lit roots and some sponges and other encrusting stuff on the dim-lit roots.
I'm encouraged with the tiny sponge frags I have, as they seem to be growing. If I can get conditions optimized for them, I would expect them to spread around themselves. With my bad luck with store-bought sponges, I'm more inclined to see what my tank can support sponge-wise, with the ones I already have on the live rock. From what I've read, sponges filter huge amounts of water, so I would expect my tank to support only so much sponge mass.
sam.basye
New member
Have you tried gel control super glue? That's what I glue all coral with. Not sure if it would kill the plant where it's glued though.
What about the twist ties at the grocery store. Remove the paper and just use the thin wire inside. It would oxidize and blend in with the root?
What about the twist ties at the grocery store. Remove the paper and just use the thin wire inside. It would oxidize and blend in with the root?
I have tried gel super glue. They came loose after a few days. I like the twist tie idea! Wait. I've tried them. The problem with them is you need three hands-one to hold the plant in place and two to twist the tie. A one-handed procedure is preferable. That's why the broccoli rubber bands, cut and tied work. I can hold the plant in place with my middle finger, while grasping the band 'handle' with forefinger and thumb, pulling a gap between the band and the root. Slide the plant under the gap and we're done.
One other idea I had was to use the small, dental rubber bands they use to bag fish. I could remove each root and slide the bands up, from the bottom. These would be pretty discreet. They would require two hands though-one to open a gap and one to hold the plant. But I could do it outside the tank, which would be much easier! It could work. I'll give that a try!
Yet another example of discussion leading to breakthroughs! Thank you, gentlemen.
One other idea I had was to use the small, dental rubber bands they use to bag fish. I could remove each root and slide the bands up, from the bottom. These would be pretty discreet. They would require two hands though-one to open a gap and one to hold the plant. But I could do it outside the tank, which would be much easier! It could work. I'll give that a try!
Yet another example of discussion leading to breakthroughs! Thank you, gentlemen.
