collecting materials in Florida

[Mike4284m]

Hey everybody.

I'm finally looking into redoing my tank since my big move down to Ft. Lauderdale and I have a few questions. I'm thinking of doing a macro/mangrove tank that I may add some small seagrasses to later. I plan on having 3-4 inches of substrate with the first 1/2"-1" being a mixture of mud and sand and the rest being straight sand. I will be adding a medium sized mangrove on the right side and hope to keep some Udotea on the left. Once this is up and running for awile I will add a pair of yellow headed jaw fish. Oh yeah, the tank is a 37g tall and will probably only be filled with about 20-25 gallons.

I really hope to collect many of the materials that I want to use for the tank. I know I cannot collect the mangrove but the university that I work at actually grows and sells them. The sand will come from a beach, somewhere, and I'm ready to take all the risks that come along with that. Does anyone know of any local places around Ft. Lauderdale that I can get some mud from? How about places that I may find some Udotea? I have already seen some Halimeda and a few other types washed up on some beaches. Of course I will be getting my fishing license to collect the algae. The fish I will just purchase.

Any idea where I can get some of the stuff I need? Any other comment suggestions?

-Mike

 

[kmk2307]

Mike, the further south you go, you will find more biodiversity and experience less nutrient pollution. I wouldn't want sand from around Ft. Lauderdale. Try taking a day or weekend trip to Key Largo or so. Before you collect anywhere be sure you know the law well. It may be illegal to collect sand anywhere in Florida? Likewise, seagrass is protected to at least some degree and you may need a special permit to collect it also. Anywhere in the keys you should be able to contact the city's chamber of commerce to find out where you are and are not allowed to collect. Keep in mind nearly all of the waterfront property is private. Harry Harris beach in Key Largo is nice and open to the public but I'm not sure if it is considered a state park or what. I saw lots of Udotea, Penicillus, Caulerpa, and tons of other things you may like there.

http://www.keylargochamber.org/contact.htm

Kevin

 

[RicksReefs]

find a backwater spot along the intracoastal waterway. usually if your within a couple miles or so of an inlet, you'll find a grassflat with caulerpa, udotea, and penicillus, among others. IIRC, almost all true grasses are protected here in florida (but it could also be a local thing to me for manatee protection). mangrove pods are Ok, but if they're sprouted, they're off limits.

 

[Samala]

Collecting plants in Florida?

>Sarah

 

[Mike4284m]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. Maybe I will just take a trip down to Largo some weekend.

I wasn't really looking to collect the plants. I'd much rather get some from someone else that already has it in their tank.

 

[Samala]

Well I certainly love the Keys and wouldn't stop you from going that route. Congrats on the move by the way. Nova's a fun school from what I hear. I just made a comparable move in early August.

Of course you brought the hurricane with you....

 

[Mike4284m]

In a weird way I'm kinda excited about it! It definitely beats 7 feet of snow.

 

[Ryanqk]

Yeah welcome to the area we have a huge saltwater club based out of miami but they meet strangely enough in ft. luaderdale. Over 300 members and you can get some local stuff from them, i have some locally collected plants, they are doing great and we are lucky to have such bio-diversity in our area, the keys are definatly the place to go.....
Ryan