High Nutrient Macro Algae/Sea Grass Reef

I have looked at those fish on KP's site many times. They are tiny, living jewels. I wonder if they will hang together or spread out. I bet they'll look great in your tank!
 
Michael Hoaster said:
I have looked at those fish on KP's site many times. They are tiny, living jewels. I wonder if they will hang together or spread out. I bet they'll look great in your tank!
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I sure hope they hang together. They are darling but oh so tiny. They will be terrific if they stay in close proximity of each other. I am thinking of releasing them tonight.
 
The green RFA is up near my BTA. I am happy that it seems to like that area so far as it is a great spot as far as I am concerned.
 
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Wow, that Halimeda looks great. Maybe the prettiest I've seen. It really brings a splash of green. I hope those gobies do well for ya. I think they'll look great in your tank. Good idea to feed heavily. I like the Rock Anemone too. I have thought of getting one or two myself. Now I can learn from you having them. That Yellow Ball sponge is nice. It kinda looks like the moon. That looks like a good, shady spot for it too. Great FTS! I love how smallish tanks can look big, when aquascaped well. You've done a great job of utilizing the height of the tank. And there's so much to look at! I don't know how you do it. You've easily got ten times more going on in there than I have in my 180!

How about a pic of the refugium? I'm curious how it's going in there too.

Now I better get my tank ready for it's close up too!
 
Thanks Michael. I appreciate the feedback on the ball sponges location. Originally I had it under the ledge of the dead stoney skeleton of the plating acro up n the front instead of the back. Even under the ledge I think it was getting too much reflective light so I moved it to it's current location.

Keeping my fingers crossed for the gobies. I hope they do not go near the corkscrew nem! That is the disadvantage of a smallish tank, it's harder to keep animals away from each other.

I will take some pics of the fuge after it is in photo worthy condition. I would like you to see the seagrass you sent me and hear if you think they are doing ok. I should have a little more free time in the next week, so hopefully not too long for pics.
 
It seems like a good move to place your new sponge where you did. You can always make adjustments later. I think the ball sponge can handle a little light - just not enough to grow algae.

With all the nooks and crannies you've got, I bet the gobies will make it. Another concern would be your Royal Gramma. I've seen one eat a baby Molly.

I understand you wanting to get the fuge photo-ready. I look forward to seeing how it's going!
 
Good news! Last evening during a feeding I spotted 2 of the masked gobies and they were eating. One of them was the wee tiny one. They are both settled into cave like sheltered areas of the tank. If those 2 are ok probably the other 2 are as well. However I am wondering about them being a schooling fish. These 2 were at opposite ends of the tank, ha ha. As long as they are safe and comfortable I am ok if each lives independently.
 
Also notice the lightish red macro growing on the left side of the tank...it looks kind of like Michael's flat red mystery macro. Mine just started to grow out of the grasilaria. Wonder if it's the same?
 
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I like how you've developed that tank! You've given yourself a lot of real estate by climbing the back wall, taking advantage of the vertical space. And you've given most of the sand bed to your seagrass. It looks like they are settling in well. They do take a while don't they? Before you know it, they will multiply and you'll have a lush meadow of them. It's very satisfying to see you having success with them! It looks very natural. I have little doubt you'll make this tank as fascinating as your display. Nice work!
 
Michael Hoaster said:
I like how you've developed that tank! You've given yourself a lot of real estate by climbing the back wall, taking advantage of the vertical space. And you've given most of the sand bed to your seagrass. It looks like they are settling in well. They do take a while don't they? Before you know it, they will multiply and you'll have a lush meadow of them. It's very satisfying to see you having success with them! It looks very natural. I have little doubt you'll make this tank as fascinating as your display. Nice work!
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Thanks Michael. What I like is that I have been able to almost cover up the drain. It was such a disruption to the natural nature of the refugium. Laying the tall stoney staghorn skeleton on its side and letting macros grow there has worked well. Not only does it hide the drain pipe but it adds a lushness to the tank.

I have noticed a few new blades sprouting next to existing blade of shoal grass. That is encouraging. I hope it is as you said that someday I will have a lush meadow of them.
 
I knew something was different/better! Brilliant idea. Now that tank's gonna take off. Look how far you've progressed already!

So you've got a new plant growing next to another one? That sounds like you've got rhizome growth! That's reproduction. Lushness eminent!
 
Michael Hoaster said:
I knew something was different/better! Brilliant idea. Now that tank's gonna take off. Look how far you've progressed already!

So you've got a new plant growing next to another one? That sounds like you've got rhizome growth! That's reproduction. Lushness eminent!
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It does not look as much like rhizome root activity as the stock of the plant is sending up multiple blades from the same stock. So although it's not quite as exciting as seeing evidence of the rhizome root activity, it still seems like evidence of growth since they are new blades of grass.
 
Oh okay. New growth is good! I can't wait to see how you 'style' this tank. You've already done great stuff. What's next, you think? Dirt?
 
Michael Hoaster said:
Oh okay. New growth is good! I can't wait to see how you 'style' this tank. You've already done great stuff. What's next, you think? Dirt?
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Yes, I am very anxious to add more dirt. I feel that the natural nutrients in the soil will nourish the grass. Of course Pennsylvania winter is what is holding me back. Our ground is frozen pretty hard. I doubt that I can progress until April on that.
 
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