So, the snails went in, the stars did not. With all the hitchhikers I got already with the grasses, I just couldn't risk adding another possible plague to my tank. Plus my algae is disappearing already, and I'll need some for the herbivorous fish.
Caribbean Biotope Seagrass Tank
- Thread starter Michael Hoaster
- Start date
I don't think the stars would have 'worked' on the grass blades anyway. I think I have a big enough crew now, as it is.
The algae is clearing up fast! Yay! It was getting pretty ugly there for awhile.
The next step is to get a light on the q-tank, and move some of the macroalgae in there.
I'm also considering adding some more glutamic acid tabs to the DSB. I noticed the other day that the seagrass closest to where I put the last one is the tallest. And the roots should be better established, so they can get to all that ammonia goodness.
The algae is clearing up fast! Yay! It was getting pretty ugly there for awhile.
The next step is to get a light on the q-tank, and move some of the macroalgae in there.
I'm also considering adding some more glutamic acid tabs to the DSB. I noticed the other day that the seagrass closest to where I put the last one is the tallest. And the roots should be better established, so they can get to all that ammonia goodness.
Can you believe this stuff? Ammonia dosing! Vinegar dosing! Sounds like harsh chemicals you'd use to clean your sink, not feed life. It's crazy, and it's science, and I love it.
I got the light on the quarantine tank today. I moved about half of the red macros in, along with a few rocks from the DT. Since my tank is nutrient poor, I wanted to get some of the macros out. I'll move them back in when there's some fish and the nutrients that come with them.
I seem to have lost a lot of plankton. I don't see very much at all on the glass anymore. I have the feeling a lot were removed with algae removal. Maybe they've all migrated up to the 'field of dreams' refugium! I should check.
Not much algae left! Just a few patches, and a little cyanobacteria on the sand. I better get the Mollies out, so the rest of the crew has something to eat.
I am dying to get some fish! But I want the seagrasses to get bigger first. Patience…
I seem to have lost a lot of plankton. I don't see very much at all on the glass anymore. I have the feeling a lot were removed with algae removal. Maybe they've all migrated up to the 'field of dreams' refugium! I should check.
Not much algae left! Just a few patches, and a little cyanobacteria on the sand. I better get the Mollies out, so the rest of the crew has something to eat.
I am dying to get some fish! But I want the seagrasses to get bigger first. Patience…
sam.basye
New member
Sounds like things are finally turned around and working in your favor.
I'm ready to see a thick jungle of wavy grasses already!
What kinda of lights you using for the QT??
Here's a couple pics of the completed wall fully filled!!!
Sneak peek
Your gonna have to wait to see more pics for when I start my build thread sometime this weekend!
I'm ready to see a thick jungle of wavy grasses already!
What kinda of lights you using for the QT??
Here's a couple pics of the completed wall fully filled!!!
Sneak peek
Your gonna have to wait to see more pics for when I start my build thread sometime this weekend!
Thanks, Sam. Yes, I guess I'm done cycling. Algae is receding quickly. The grasses are doing well but no thick jungle yet. I had hoped that the macroalgaes would have grown more, but so far I've kept the tank pretty nutrient poor. I plan to move them back once my tank has some fish.
The QT has a 2 T5 bulb fixture. I'd call it medium lighting.
Your tank looks awesome! Can't wait to see more!
The QT has a 2 T5 bulb fixture. I'd call it medium lighting.
Your tank looks awesome! Can't wait to see more!
Yes, JLynn, I do feel like a saint, but I'm ready to do some sinin'!
karimwassef
Active member
Since you're all algae and plant experts, I'll crash my ask here (sorry)
Here's my thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?p=23257651#post23257651
I have ugly whitish fuzz... Any ideas?
Here's my thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?p=23257651#post23257651
I have ugly whitish fuzz... Any ideas?
Amphiprion
Premium Member
Don't get too fired up about a thick jungle, lol, at least not anytime soon unless you plant heavily from the beginning. I think I started with 3 shoots (one of which died) after a move/clean sand bed and ended up with about 7 over a year later. I usually lose one shoot every now and then (pretty infrequently), so you also have to factor in some attrition. But on average I get a shoot every 1-1.5 months.
sam.basye
New member
Thanks JLynn and Michael, I take back my skepticism with using the contact cement now. lol Im really happy with the color and texture that I was having doubts with prior to filling...
As for the jungle... how wide and tall does each blade get??
Is there such a thing as too many shoots? Would they suffocate one another if there are too many?
Will any of your planned fishes (or are there any fish) swim in and through the grass?
As for the jungle... how wide and tall does each blade get??
Is there such a thing as too many shoots? Would they suffocate one another if there are too many?
Will any of your planned fishes (or are there any fish) swim in and through the grass?
I'm glad to hear you're happy with the color and the texture. i would be too. Looks great!
The shoal and manatee grasses are more tubular or needle-like, so pretty skinny. I think shoal grass grows to around a foot. The manatee and turtle grass get a couple feet or so. My very young turtle grass blades are about a quarter inch wide. I think in the wild they could grow close to an inch. One of my manatee grass blades is already two feet long.
I would think, in the confines of an aquarium, they could definitely get to be too crowded. I look forward to having that problem! At that point, I would need to play the role of sea turtle and manatee, and thin them out.
Yes, I imagine most, if not all of my planned fish would enjoy swimming through the grasses. I listed them somewhere earlier in this thread. And I plan to do schools or harems of each, except for the atlantic blue tang, which won't tolerate another. I may not even get a blue tang, given the large size they can reach.
The shoal and manatee grasses are more tubular or needle-like, so pretty skinny. I think shoal grass grows to around a foot. The manatee and turtle grass get a couple feet or so. My very young turtle grass blades are about a quarter inch wide. I think in the wild they could grow close to an inch. One of my manatee grass blades is already two feet long.
I would think, in the confines of an aquarium, they could definitely get to be too crowded. I look forward to having that problem! At that point, I would need to play the role of sea turtle and manatee, and thin them out.
Yes, I imagine most, if not all of my planned fish would enjoy swimming through the grasses. I listed them somewhere earlier in this thread. And I plan to do schools or harems of each, except for the atlantic blue tang, which won't tolerate another. I may not even get a blue tang, given the large size they can reach.
Amphiprion, thanks for the seagrass info. I now wish I had planted more heavily. Definitely seen some attrition, but other than that, they're doing pretty well.
Do you think they gain momentum, once they get well established? I'm hoping to gradually increase the fish load, as the grasses grow more robust.
Do you think they gain momentum, once they get well established? I'm hoping to gradually increase the fish load, as the grasses grow more robust.
Amphiprion
Premium Member
I have to apologize actually--I thought you had Thalassia for whatever reason. My statement primarily applies to that genus, though Syringodium is fairly slow as well, IME. Shoal grass should be comparatively prolific, but each shoot and rhizome is more short-lived, too. I also wish I had planted more heavily regardless, though.
I do have thalassia, as well as manatee grass and shoal grass. No apology necessary. Lucky for me, there are guys like you around here, with years of experience with these plants. I'll be picking your brain for quite some time!
I'm seriously considering pushing some more glutamic acid tabs into the DSB. The one I put in earlier has lead to one of the manatee grass blades to reach two feet long. There are no others doing that well in my tank.
I was reluctant before, because algae ran rampant during cycling. Now, I'm worried my cleanup crew could starve! There's not much algae left.
Here goes!
I was reluctant before, because algae ran rampant during cycling. Now, I'm worried my cleanup crew could starve! There's not much algae left.
Here goes!
karimwassef
Active member
Through your experimentation, we all learn- but only you feel the pain of failure or the triumph of success.
Take a small step ?
Take a small step ?
Thanks Karim. Good point.
I pushed two tabs deep into my DSB, which I'd say is a small step. It is a risk, but a calculated one. The risk being an algae bloom. With very little algae left, I'm concerned for my crew. So even if I do get algae, it's not a complete failure. That's how I justified the risk.
And the up side is an uptick in seagrass growth. I honestly think this is the perfect time to do it-after the cycle, and after the grasses have had time to get established.
I pushed two tabs deep into my DSB, which I'd say is a small step. It is a risk, but a calculated one. The risk being an algae bloom. With very little algae left, I'm concerned for my crew. So even if I do get algae, it's not a complete failure. That's how I justified the risk.
And the up side is an uptick in seagrass growth. I honestly think this is the perfect time to do it-after the cycle, and after the grasses have had time to get established.
