Caribbean Biotope Seagrass Tank
- Thread starter Michael Hoaster
- Start date
Don't think I didn't think of that! Id love to get six more of each! I've already checked at Live Aquaria and they don't have them right now. Florida Pets does have more manatee and shoal grass, so that's an option. But I really feel like I've got good spacing for the ones I've got. In the long run, I think they'll enjoy having plenty of room to develop.
I'm not at all worried that adding the glutamic acid will harm the grasses directly-quite the opposite. But if I do get an algae bloom, it could smother them. Then it's back to the bottle brush…
I know it sounds insane, dosing ammonia. There's no way I'd even consider it if I had a bunch of fish. So there is an upside to waiting to add them. It gives me a window of opportunity to dose specific things, just for the seagrass. More often than not, we stock our aquariums with a wide variety of organisms, so we have to compromise and 'strike a balance', so the conditions we end up with aren't ideal for any of them. Even with my 3 grasses, I have to split the difference with salinity.
The bottom line is, I'm trying to optimize C-N-P ratios for the grasses. So I'm conservatively dosing carbon and ammonia to that end. If I start dosing phosphate, I give you guys permission to commit me to the loony bin!
I'm not at all worried that adding the glutamic acid will harm the grasses directly-quite the opposite. But if I do get an algae bloom, it could smother them. Then it's back to the bottle brush…
I know it sounds insane, dosing ammonia. There's no way I'd even consider it if I had a bunch of fish. So there is an upside to waiting to add them. It gives me a window of opportunity to dose specific things, just for the seagrass. More often than not, we stock our aquariums with a wide variety of organisms, so we have to compromise and 'strike a balance', so the conditions we end up with aren't ideal for any of them. Even with my 3 grasses, I have to split the difference with salinity.
The bottom line is, I'm trying to optimize C-N-P ratios for the grasses. So I'm conservatively dosing carbon and ammonia to that end. If I start dosing phosphate, I give you guys permission to commit me to the loony bin!
sam.basye
New member
Build thread!
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2457621
--this is all your fault Michael
Thanks for making me do it
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2457621
--this is all your fault Michael
Thanks for making me do it
Yay! I'm headed there now!
I moved one of the mollies down to my quarantine tank. That's one less herbivore in the display tank. I don't want my snails to starve. One of the large cerith snails was climbing a turtle grass shoot today. Even the cyanobacteria's disappearing. I don't mean to sound like I'm bragging, I'm just amazed! Just a week ago I had tons of the stuff! Now I worry I don't have enough. I've never said that before!
The downside of not having fish (except the molly), is my tank is rather boring to look at right now. The grasses swaying in the current looks nice, but I really love fish. And I've got a fish list burning a hole in my pocket!
It's funny how difficult it is to be patient, the first two months of our aquariums' 'lives'. Then after a year or so, two months go buy in the blink of an eye! I'm at seven weeks now, but it feels like seven months!
I just reread my threads for the fake root and fake wall. What a journey! And the best part's still ahead…
The downside of not having fish (except the molly), is my tank is rather boring to look at right now. The grasses swaying in the current looks nice, but I really love fish. And I've got a fish list burning a hole in my pocket!
It's funny how difficult it is to be patient, the first two months of our aquariums' 'lives'. Then after a year or so, two months go buy in the blink of an eye! I'm at seven weeks now, but it feels like seven months!
I just reread my threads for the fake root and fake wall. What a journey! And the best part's still ahead…
You and me both, Sam! It shouldn't be too much longer. Maybe a week or two.
I want to make sure I'm not adding new fish to an ammonia deathtrap. Having added the glutamic acid tabs the other day, which are a near pure ammonia source, I need to be careful. If all goes well, the seagrass, macroalgae and bacteria will be able to consume the ammonia and grow, keeping bulk water ammonia levels safe for fish.
So there's that, and then there's the 'wife factor'. I have to give a lot of 'credit' to her for my much-heralded patience. It would be much easier to 'get away with it', if I was just buying one fish at a time. But since I'm getting multiple specimens of each fish, and they need to be added simultaneously, it's kind of a big purchase.
So, I shop around the web for the best price on each fish and their shipping price, and compare to my LFSs', clear it with the wife, and THEN I pull the trigger. I make no impulsive fish purchases. I have a plan. I know how many of each fish, and their order of introduction.
Having twenty plus years experience helps me see the big picture, I guess. This tank is the biggest undertaking I've ever tried, and I'm putting it out there (here on RC), so I don't want to screw it up!
I want to make sure I'm not adding new fish to an ammonia deathtrap. Having added the glutamic acid tabs the other day, which are a near pure ammonia source, I need to be careful. If all goes well, the seagrass, macroalgae and bacteria will be able to consume the ammonia and grow, keeping bulk water ammonia levels safe for fish.
So there's that, and then there's the 'wife factor'. I have to give a lot of 'credit' to her for my much-heralded patience. It would be much easier to 'get away with it', if I was just buying one fish at a time. But since I'm getting multiple specimens of each fish, and they need to be added simultaneously, it's kind of a big purchase.
So, I shop around the web for the best price on each fish and their shipping price, and compare to my LFSs', clear it with the wife, and THEN I pull the trigger. I make no impulsive fish purchases. I have a plan. I know how many of each fish, and their order of introduction.
Having twenty plus years experience helps me see the big picture, I guess. This tank is the biggest undertaking I've ever tried, and I'm putting it out there (here on RC), so I don't want to screw it up!
Four days since I added two glutamic acid tabs to the DSB. No change. I kind of thought I would start seeing an algae uptick, but no. I pushed them very deep down in there. I'm trying to remember how long it took the first one to show any effects on the tank. It could've been a month. At first I thought it just contributed to the algae storm I got during cycling. Later, I noticed that one manatee grass shoot was growing a lot taller than the rest, and it was right where I put the first tab in. That shoot is still more than double the height of the others, with one blade over 24 inches tall and another about 18 inches now. So I have high hopes!
I'm not too worried about an ammonia spike in the bulk water. Between the grasses, the macros and the bacteria, I think any ammonia that escapes the DSB should be mopped up. But I want to play it safe with new fish additions. The remaining molly is showing no stress. In fact she seems to have adapted quite well to the increased current. And she cruises around, looking for tasty algae morsels. The other molly that went into the quarantine tank is getting fed some flake food, since there is no algae growing in there yet.
All in all, I'm very pleased with the tank's progress. The grasses are growing and the algae's receding. The fake wall and root seem rock solid, which is a huge relief! The one glaring mistake I made was putting the overflow about two inches(!) too high. So I have to run my water level almost to the top of the tank, to keep the ulva in it submerged.
Two solutions: abandon the 'field of dreams' refugium idea, remove the ulva and drop the water level. Or I could rip the overflow section of the fake wall out and cut down the overflow by two inches, and redo the fake wall section. Ugh! I don't think that's going to happen!
I'm not too worried about an ammonia spike in the bulk water. Between the grasses, the macros and the bacteria, I think any ammonia that escapes the DSB should be mopped up. But I want to play it safe with new fish additions. The remaining molly is showing no stress. In fact she seems to have adapted quite well to the increased current. And she cruises around, looking for tasty algae morsels. The other molly that went into the quarantine tank is getting fed some flake food, since there is no algae growing in there yet.
All in all, I'm very pleased with the tank's progress. The grasses are growing and the algae's receding. The fake wall and root seem rock solid, which is a huge relief! The one glaring mistake I made was putting the overflow about two inches(!) too high. So I have to run my water level almost to the top of the tank, to keep the ulva in it submerged.
Two solutions: abandon the 'field of dreams' refugium idea, remove the ulva and drop the water level. Or I could rip the overflow section of the fake wall out and cut down the overflow by two inches, and redo the fake wall section. Ugh! I don't think that's going to happen!
sam.basye
New member
Crossed fingers for the grasses - still wanna see that thick jungle! Why don't you start rushing the process to get us to that point sooner?? Just throw all the fish in at once while you're at it. 
I say leave the wall as is and deal with the high water level. The risk of not liking the end result isn't worth it and not to mention, the whole tank covered in foam dust!
I say leave the wall as is and deal with the high water level. The risk of not liking the end result isn't worth it and not to mention, the whole tank covered in foam dust!
I can put the ulva further down, in the gap in the fake wall, lower the water level, and be done. If I can get my canister filter working properly again, I could go back to the separate fuge plan I had originally. I have a pump I could use if not.
I'm rushing the jungle along as fast as I can! I should post a pic. They're doing really well! I'm hoping they'll gain momentum and start spreading into a thick, lush meadow. All the veteran seagrass guys are telling me they grow rather slowly.
One thing I've heard repeated over the years is, in our aquariums, good things come slowly and bad things come quickly!
Even though the tank's not that exciting to look at right now, I carefully observe it everyday with two different power magnifying glasses. It's amazing seeing life on such a small scale! Fun stuff, for the obsessive compulsive aquarist!
I'm rushing the jungle along as fast as I can! I should post a pic. They're doing really well! I'm hoping they'll gain momentum and start spreading into a thick, lush meadow. All the veteran seagrass guys are telling me they grow rather slowly.
One thing I've heard repeated over the years is, in our aquariums, good things come slowly and bad things come quickly!
Even though the tank's not that exciting to look at right now, I carefully observe it everyday with two different power magnifying glasses. It's amazing seeing life on such a small scale! Fun stuff, for the obsessive compulsive aquarist!
karimwassef
Active member
I say go on vacation. Forget about it. Ignore it for a month.
A watched pot never boils ... And a magnifying glass scrutinized blade of sea grass doesn't grow (neither does coralline apparently).
A watched pot never boils ... And a magnifying glass scrutinized blade of sea grass doesn't grow (neither does coralline apparently).
A month long vacation sounds lovely! Maybe somewhere I could go snorkeling. I can take my magnifying glasses!
New Pics
New Pics
Not a jungle yet, but lookin' good!
The wall's geting a patina, and you can see the long manatee grass blades.
The red macros, adding some color.
End view, with the long blade visible.
Getting some new diatoms on the sand. Also, notice that grayish white patch on the sand? Using a magnifying glass, it looks to have some dark holes that look like oscules of a possible sand-dwelling sponge!
New Pics
Not a jungle yet, but lookin' good!
The wall's geting a patina, and you can see the long manatee grass blades.
The red macros, adding some color.
End view, with the long blade visible.
Getting some new diatoms on the sand. Also, notice that grayish white patch on the sand? Using a magnifying glass, it looks to have some dark holes that look like oscules of a possible sand-dwelling sponge!
It is certainly coming along. You bought the turtle grass as little seedlings, right? So it looks like they have grown maybe an inch or two... or maybe that is just wishful thinking on my part. The macro algae look happy, too. Good work!
It would be interesting if that was a sand-dwelling sponge. It would also be a minor miracle; how on earth could a sponge have survived the abuse that sand bags are put through?
It would be interesting if that was a sand-dwelling sponge. It would also be a minor miracle; how on earth could a sponge have survived the abuse that sand bags are put through?
That's right, JLynn. The turtle grasses have grown substantially, except for a couple that may or may not make it. I'm hoping the glutamic acid tabs will help as well.
I imagine the sponge probably came in with one of the grasses, rather than the sand, which would be a miracle!
I imagine the sponge probably came in with one of the grasses, rather than the sand, which would be a miracle!
saltwater sam
New member
Wow, looking great! The jungle will be filled in in no time!
Thanks Sam! How's the pickle weed? Any new mangrove species in the collection?
I'm hoping the grasses gather momentum.
I'm definitely seeing new diatoms on the sand, so I think the dosing is having an affect. If I trigger an algae bloom, so be it. If I get increased growth rates in the seagrasses, even better!
I'm hoping the grasses gather momentum.
I'm definitely seeing new diatoms on the sand, so I think the dosing is having an affect. If I trigger an algae bloom, so be it. If I get increased growth rates in the seagrasses, even better!
saltwater sam
New member
The pickleweed project got scrapped, I'm not getting more mangroves until at least the spring! Getting some subzero temps already!
That was a cold couple a weeks! I look forward to hearing more about your gorgeous mangroves!
Staring into my tank takes me to a tropical place, where the seagrass sways rhythmically in the current. I'm loving the movement of these plants! And they've got plenty of room to grow. And I can increase the flowrate as they grow in.
I was thinking about which invert I would add first to my tank. Out of anemones, gorgonia, or sponges, I'll start with some easy, photosynthetic gorgonia. I really need to get my plankton population to grow for these guys, though. At least the photosynthetic ones aren't wholly dependent on eating plankton. And they move in the current as well.
If the white stuff in my sand is in fact a sponge, I guess it already has a food source. I had planned to reinstate the bio pellets later, when I added sponges, as a bacterial food source. I wonder what this hitchhiker sponge is eating now. I'm amazed at the number of hitchhikers I've gotten from seagrasses and macro algae! Sea hares, aiptasia, a feather duster, and a few different worms. And now, this bizarre sponge, that rises from the sand!
Staring into my tank takes me to a tropical place, where the seagrass sways rhythmically in the current. I'm loving the movement of these plants! And they've got plenty of room to grow. And I can increase the flowrate as they grow in.
I was thinking about which invert I would add first to my tank. Out of anemones, gorgonia, or sponges, I'll start with some easy, photosynthetic gorgonia. I really need to get my plankton population to grow for these guys, though. At least the photosynthetic ones aren't wholly dependent on eating plankton. And they move in the current as well.
If the white stuff in my sand is in fact a sponge, I guess it already has a food source. I had planned to reinstate the bio pellets later, when I added sponges, as a bacterial food source. I wonder what this hitchhiker sponge is eating now. I'm amazed at the number of hitchhikers I've gotten from seagrasses and macro algae! Sea hares, aiptasia, a feather duster, and a few different worms. And now, this bizarre sponge, that rises from the sand!
Just back from camping. Eight days since I added 2 glutamic acid tabs to the DSB. It looks like I've started an algae bloom. Lots of diatoms and a few spots of cyanobacteria.
As I said before, I'm willing to risk an algae bloom, with the ammonia dosing. If this one goes like my first one, that will be fine. And I expect to see the seagrasses gain momentum, like the one from the previous addition. Plus, more food for the clean up crew. Maybe it will even help my plankton population bounce back.
Here I am acting like an algae bloom is a good thing! I'll have extra padding in my padded cell, please…
My tank should have a higher capacity to absorb the surplus ammonia now, since cycling. So I don't expect it to get as gruesome, and for as long as my initial bloom.
One observation I can make is that the ammonia does not stay deep in my sand bed for long. I had theorized (hoped), that pushing the GA deep into the DSB would confine the release of ammonia to the sand bed. In the initial test I did in my fresh water planted tank, it appeared to stay in the bed, with no algae uptick. But that tank was root-bound and overgrown. The newer conditions in this tank appear to allow more pore water (interstitial?) flow-through than an older tank. Makes sense.
I think I'll move some of the macros back up from the QT, to the DT. Help out with nutrient absorption.
As I said before, I'm willing to risk an algae bloom, with the ammonia dosing. If this one goes like my first one, that will be fine. And I expect to see the seagrasses gain momentum, like the one from the previous addition. Plus, more food for the clean up crew. Maybe it will even help my plankton population bounce back.
Here I am acting like an algae bloom is a good thing! I'll have extra padding in my padded cell, please…
My tank should have a higher capacity to absorb the surplus ammonia now, since cycling. So I don't expect it to get as gruesome, and for as long as my initial bloom.
One observation I can make is that the ammonia does not stay deep in my sand bed for long. I had theorized (hoped), that pushing the GA deep into the DSB would confine the release of ammonia to the sand bed. In the initial test I did in my fresh water planted tank, it appeared to stay in the bed, with no algae uptick. But that tank was root-bound and overgrown. The newer conditions in this tank appear to allow more pore water (interstitial?) flow-through than an older tank. Makes sense.
I think I'll move some of the macros back up from the QT, to the DT. Help out with nutrient absorption.
