Husker 12g long "dirty" macro tank

[HuskerBioProf]

Okay, I really enjoy some of the build threads in this macroalgae forum, so I decided to start my own. I have gained a lot of knowledge from reading through these threads, and I hope people will chime in with ideas and thoughts.

This build is the antithesis to the sterile reef tank. My other tank is a 40 breeder SPS tank. I love watching the shapes and textures of the colonies as they grow, but the tank looks nothing like what I remember from my diving trips. One of my favorite parts about diving and snorkeling in the Florida Keys was looking at all the tiny, diverse life on the rocks. I hope to capture some of that in this tank.

I want this tank to be reminiscent of some of these Caribbean dives, but not necessarily an exclusive biotope. I would rather utilize some indopacific species that remind me of those in the Caribbean than have the vacancy due to stringent collection policies. This is a photo I took on a dive years ago that shows some of the aspects I would like to incorporate.

I originally wanted to center the tank around mangrove roots using an artificial root, inspired by the beautiful tank by Michael Hoaster.

However, I didn't like how disproportioned the mangrove root looked in comparison to the rocks. And with the tank so small, I decided to focus on more of a patch reef surrounded by "sea grass" (more likely will be Caulerpa prolifera). To do this, I am using a couple larger rocks to the left side, trailing off into some rubble.

I ended up coming across an Eshopps sump from someone local for a trade on some stuff I didn't need, so I am using it for this tank. It is a little overkill, but gives room for equipment if I ever want it. So far, this is a low equipment tank. I only have a Current USA Orbit Marine LED light- no skimmers or reactors, yet. I haven't decided on whether to run a skimmer, yet. That will probably be based on how the tank is performing with all the algae as a natural filter combined with the heavy feeding of the filter feeders.

I would really like to stock this tank with tiny gobies and small, interesting invertebrates. I added some rock from my well-established tank to see everything, and don't really expect much of a cycle.

More updates to come soon, I have an order of some easy algae on the way. I'd love to hear some thoughts/ideas.

 

[Michael Hoaster]

So far, so good! I look forward to seeing your vision come alive. What easy algae do you have on the way?

Here's an article on another 12L tank, for inspiration: ************dotcom/2012/08/06/seagrass-aquarium/

 

[Michael Hoaster]

Really? Well, if you are interested, google small seagrass aquarium.

 

[HuskerBioProf]

Are you talking about the "Halophila" tank? I have checked that one out. Certainly neat. I don't want to have too deep of substrate, because the tank is only 9" deep, so I might be limited to H. ovalis if I want actual seagrass. It would be nice to have some in there, even if Caulerpa prolifera looks more like seagrass that I am familiar with thanH. ovalis ..ha. The ovalis is pretty sweet, still.

 

[Michael Hoaster]

Yes, that's the one!

I agree, C prolifera makes for a good seagrass look. Shoal grass may work in your tank, and it looks like seagrass.

 

[Devaji108]

Very nice I will be following for sure!
I an interested to see how your macros do introduced to a new system. I think I added to many from the get go. Greens are not doing the best in my tank.


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[HuskerBioProf]

Very nice I will be following for sure!
I an interested to see how your macros do introduced to a new system. I think I added to many from the get go. Greens are not doing the best in my tank.


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I'm curious too, but I thought I would give it a try as they are really cheap (compared to corals). I also took some live rock out of the sump of my main tank and had some other rock cooking in salt water for a while. I figured that even if there is a bit of a cycle, the algae should be able to directly fix nitrogen from the ammonia. I have been "feeding" the tank some of my home made fish food mix the last few days whenever I fed my main tank. Hopefully that keeps the bacteria levels up.

 

[Michael Hoaster]

"I would really like to stock this tank with tiny gobies and small, interesting invertebrates." - HuskerBioProf

Check out KP Aquatics. They have a great selection of tiny gobies and small, interesting invertebrates. How about a spotted anemone shrimp, in a condylactis, corkscrew or flower anemone? Pistol shrimp/goby pair? A harem of sailfin blennies! Lots of tiny friends to choose from.

 

[HuskerBioProf]

"I would really like to stock this tank with tiny gobies and small, interesting invertebrates." - HuskerBioProf

Check out KP Aquatics. They have a great selection of tiny gobies and small, interesting invertebrates. How about a spotted anemone shrimp, in a condylactis, corkscrew or flower anemone? Pistol shrimp/goby pair? A harem of sailfin blennies! Lots of tiny friends to choose from.

Thanks! I have looked at KP Aquatics, but when you highlight "Fish", there is only "seahorses and pipefish" that drops down. I never clicked on it to see the great selection of Caribbean fish.

 

[Michael Hoaster]

Well that's weird. I do recall their site to be bit wonky, but I've never not been able to look at their fish selection.

 

[velvetelvis]

Thanks! I have looked at KP Aquatics, but when you highlight "Fish", there is only "seahorses and pipefish" that drops down. I never clicked on it to see the great selection of Caribbean fish.

Just click on the "Marine Fish" heading.

Marine Fish

I got my two cherub angelfish (currently forming a pair) and my cleaner shrimp pair from them. They have outstanding livestock and customer service.

 

[HuskerBioProf]

Yes, I realized you have to actually click on the link.

I really like the selection of tiny gobies.

 

[Jessie2406]

I love kp aquatics! Bought from them multiple times, my only issue was my "mated pair" of coral banded shrimp were not in live at all. One killed the other in 5 min. But other than that love them

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[velvetelvis]

Yes, I realized you have to actually click on the link.

I really like the selection of tiny gobies.

Oops, I didn't mean to sound snarky! I didn't realize that I had to click on the link when I first visited the site, so I thought you might have made the same mistake. Sorry if I came across as trying to sound superior.

 

[HuskerBioProf]

Oops, I didn't mean to sound snarky! I didn't realize that I had to click on the link when I first visited the site, so I thought you might have made the same mistake. Sorry if I came across as trying to sound superior.

No, it is funny because I didn't realize it at first either.:fun2:

 

[HuskerBioProf]

I'd love to hear some other thoughts on fish choices. Obviously in the 12 gallon I have to be pretty selective. I really like the idea of anemone shrimp in a condy as well as other little inverts, so I don't want anything that will eat little shrimp.

I would prefer several smaller fish, but am worried about the tiny gobies just sitting being duds all day. Any thoughts or recommendations?

(I'll post some pictures soon, the live-plants.com order was pretty awesome. The only problem is how much of everything they sent! Pretty much filled up my entire tank. I had to prune the day I got it in)

 

[BlueCat1949]

I liked having sexy shrimp in my 10 gallon macro tank. They are colorful, interesting to watch and really don't need a big tank at all. I had 6 in my 10 gallon but you could easily fit twice that in you tank.

 

[Michael Hoaster]

Beware the duds! The sailfin blennies are cool, showing off their dorsal fins. Sexable with males black and females light. A little harem of those would be fun to watch! How about several different shrimps? Sexy shrimps aren't anemone shrimps I don't think, but look cool. I think they eat sea stars. You could add some asterinas to feed them, possibly reaching equalizing populations. Porcelain crabs host with anemones as well. Maybe a peaceful damsel or basslet?

 

[HuskerBioProf]

I like those ideas. Maybe a big group of sexy shrimp, plus a few unique inverts such as anemone shrimp, porcelain crab, pom pom crab, and some others.

I really like the idea of sailfin blenny harem. I have heard they are really neat but have never had one. I have done some searching and can't find anyone who has done that. Any tips based on your royal gramma experience? I do like the idea of having a mated pair (or harem) of something in the tank to interact and create some eggs for food for the inverts/gorgonians.

Here are some pictures. I got a little bit of ammonia, but it seemed to have cleared quickly due to all of the rock from my main tank. I have a bit of a diatom bloom now, but the snails are taking care of it. Hopefully everything holds up after the bit of ammonia spike.

I took out a lot of the C. prolifera they sent, because it was just overbearing. I also added some more sand to give some substrate depth in case I want to add some seagrass or more "planted" macroalgae.

 

[BlueCat1949]

The C. prolifera might be too big for your tank. If you place it along the back and keep it pruned it could work. If it takes off it will block the view of all your other macros and rock work. Caulerpa brachypus is like a miniature of prolifera and can be trained to grow as a carpet in the front sandy area.

If you look at the pix I posted with the 3 sexy shrimps they are on a carpet of C. brachypus. The paddle grass and other short growing seagrasses take a long time to fill in and are much more demanding. They need nutrients at the roots and very strong lighting compared to most macros.

I like what you have done with your layout so far and this could be a really nice set up when your macros fill in. Good start.