Caribbean Biotope Seagrass Tank

I leave for 3 weeks and y'all have all the fun without me!
Michael, I'm still not able to see any of the pictures that you're posting, and they seem lovely by the way everybody keeps describing them! I'm using the web version of RC, so technically nothing should be different...I can see Karim's jawfish photos, but when he reposted one of your comments, I still couldn't see the picture...

As for the macros, what happened to the plan to add dwarf angels first? Since they're smaller, they should consume less over time, and they're also less aggressive from what I've seen. Or what about a slew of isopods, copepods, and amphipods to help eat your macros? They'd also provide food for your blennies and potentially grammas when you get around to adding them.
 
The cherub angel fish were never planned to be first - closer to last actually. I do have a slew of pods. Now that my macros are growing at a very high rate, I think the time is right for an herbivore. The tang is the best choice for these plants.
 
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This may not look like much, but to me it's very good! That sharp, straight blade, just right of center, is a NEW PLANT. Finally, a new offshoot of manatee grass! These plants have been so slow, that this actually is a thrill…


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A half decent pic of Junior. He still hasn't gone to the anemone. I haven't forced the issue, since the anemone seems to have its tentacles full, with Spot. We'll see what happens when I get the tang in there. Hopefully, he'll remember that he's a cleaner shrimp, and set up shop. Maybe this will inspire him to seek the anemone. Who knows!

So, I've got a juvenile, yellow phase Atlantic Blue Tang and some caribbean sponges on the way in the next few days. Big changes!
 
I'm eager to see the Atlantic Blue! A small one I assume? You'll be amazed at how fast that tang will be able to mow down your macro algae. It should be a happy camper in there with so much tasty food to eat!
 
I've got sponges coming tomorrow! Three Caribbean sponges. Which ones, you might ask, the usual tree sponge, ball sponge, fan sponge combo? Nope. I wanted something a bit more unique. And I wanted three of the same species. It's going to be cool!
 
Ahh ****. I was in the same boat not that long ago on a frag of zoas. Nothing like the feeling of disappointment and the sound of $xx.xx amount of money swirling down the pot..

I feel your pain, hope you can find a suitable replacement for a reasonable price!
 
They were Purple Tube Sponges. I put one in my display and the other two in the quarantine tank overnight. I wanted to see if they could recover, but it was a long shot. Maybe, just maybe they released some remaining sponge life into the tanks. It's possible, but also a long shot. Definitely an ammonia spike in both tanks as well. My display has so much plant material, I figured it could handle it. QT's still cycling, so it will fuel the process.

Not what I wanted to happen, but I learn and move on. Maybe now I'll focus on the test sponges more. I think the sodium silicate helps.

Also, this gives me more time to focus on the seagrasses. They're doing well, and I'm seeing the effects of the dosing. Their growth rates are increasing. Just not as fast as the macros, but they are growing faster.


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Too bad. This is where they would have been.
 
I got another new manatee grass shoot, since I posted a pic of the first one, on the 13th. That's great!

I'm still experimenting with substrate dosing. Today I dosed the roots of 3 single manatee grass shoots, to see if I can get some new shoot action with them. This time I used a 500mg pill of Glutamic Acid, broken into quarters. GA is basically pure ammonia. The seagrasses prefer ammonia to nitrate, but you run the risk of algae outbreaks, so it's a double-edged sword. I'm hoping with all the macros, that I can get away with.

Why risk it? Well, I'm still looking for ways to favor the grasses, rather than the macros. With water dosing, the macros are growing too fast, causing me to have to prune way too often. Also, I worry that the water dosing of nitrate is adversely affecting the anemone and possibly others. So, I experiment.

Since seagrasses are one of the only higher plants kept in saltwater aquariums, there is very little info on dosing for root uptake. And since virtually all dosing info is water column based, I think it bears exploring. Seagrasses are adaptable to nutrient uptake wherever they can get it. I have had some success with water column/leaf uptake. Now I want to see if I can get results feeding the roots.

I think if I was starting over, I'd put a lot of good old yard dirt in my DSB. Sounds nuts, right? There have been some very successful fresh water planted tanks using dirt in the substrate. Ecology of the Planted Aquarium, by Diana Walstad, is an excellent book. She uses dirt for her planted tanks.

I think one impediment to trying this kind of experimentation is our clinging to the idea of keeping our tanks clean. We all want beautiful, pristine tanks. But Nature is chaotic, dirty, rotting AND beautiful. We put carefully chosen organisms in out little boxes and we try to control EVERYTHING. What I'm trying to do is give up some of that control, so I'm less a slave and more a spectator.
 
Sorry to hear about the sponges. Have thoroughly enjoyed your thread!

Thought you might be able to answer a question for me as I am kinda thinking you are the go to guy about seagrass. I'll be at the gulf in a few weeks and know a great spot to harvest seagrass.

So my big question is. If I do harvest some of the grasses, what is their viability in my aquarium? Should I even bother?
 
Thanks, Lunabud74!

First, make sure you are doing it legally. I think in Florida you need a fishing license to collect seagrass. Also, collect only grasses that have washed up.

Should you bother? No. Unless you're prepared to dedicate a tank to them. Deep sand beds are required, and lot's of other knowledge of their needs, needs considering.

If you are prepared for a challenge, then welcome! You may be able to grow oar grass or star grass in your 12. Possibly shoal grass too.
 
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I've had some shoot-splitting, with the manatee grass. Each split doubles the shoots. This must be a form of non-sexual reproduction. You'd think they'd just add shoots along the rhizome. Maybe it's brought on by the water column dosing. I'm not sure but I'll take it! The anemone looked a little unhappy, so I did a quick water change, and fed it, and it looks better now.

It's good to have progress with the manatee grass. They've been a challenge! It's also been a challenge balancing conditions for everyone. Fun stuff!
 
One split closer to the lush seagrass meadow!

What are the blade widths of the different grasses? And how wide do you expect each to get at full maturity??

Keep up the grass growing! :)
 
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