JBJ 45 Rimless Macroalgae Tank

[lifeoffaith]

Looking at changing my plans a bit and going with a macroalgae biotope tank. My thoughts are Japan, Indonesia or for the ease of the biotope, just sticking with a Carribean biotope. I know there are a few of you doing macro biotopes out there, so I'd really covet your thoughts. Have you had luck sourcing algaes from various locations? Are any of you doing anything other than a Carribean biotope?

 

[Michael Hoaster]

In my experience, the vast majority of macros available from American web sites (and LFSs) are from Florida/Caribbean, so it's natural to do Caribbean biotopes. I have seen a few non-Caribbean plants available, but not many.

I did a Caribbean biotope in my previous tank. I really enjoyed it, but I did run into some limitations with fish and inverts, while trying to comply with biotope 'rules'. So in my new tank Im not specifying Caribbean biotope - I'm calling it a lagoon biotope, leaving me open to anything that I think will benefit the system.

I think it would be very cool to do a Japan/Indonesia biotope! I just haven't seen much, if anything, from that area of the world. It would help if you lived there and/or spoke the language. Check out cksss's thread "40g Long Naturally sun-lit tank" here in the macro section of RC.

There's also the choice of not doing a biotope at all. You could just set up a tank for whatever macros you like, and just call it a macro tank. Have fun and good luck!

 

[lifeoffaith]

In my experience, the vast majority of macros available from American web sites (and LFSs) are from Florida/Caribbean, so it's natural to do Caribbean biotopes. I have seen a few non-Caribbean plants available, but not many.

I did a Caribbean biotope in my previous tank. I really enjoyed it, but I did run into some limitations with fish and inverts, while trying to comply with biotope 'rules'. So in my new tank Im not specifying Caribbean biotope - I'm calling it a lagoon biotope, leaving me open to anything that I think will benefit the system.

I think it would be very cool to do a Japan/Indonesia biotope! I just haven't seen much, if anything, from that area of the world. It would help if you lived there and/or spoke the language. Check out cksss's thread "40g Long Naturally sun-lit tank" here in the macro section of RC.

There's also the choice of not doing a biotope at all. You could just set up a tank for whatever macros you like, and just call it a macro tank. Have fun and good luck!

Thanks Michael, I've been keeping a close eye on your tanks, and you've definitely given me some inspiration. I am thinking of doing a small group of Royal Grammas and a couple Black Cap Basslets in my 45 and sticking with the Caribbean Biotope thought process. I'm hoping I can pull that off as I know they can be a bit agressive with each other, but they are naturally found together, so hoping there will be enough room in the tank for them to get along. I think I'm going to be a little open to gulf, Florida and Caribbean species since they should mostly cross over, but that may leave it a little more open. I'm also a big fan of inverts, so I'm hoping to have lots of cool inverts in the tank. I may have a grouping of flower nems from the Caribbean too.

 

[Michael Hoaster]

I have doubts you can keep multiple basslets in a 45. There are better, less aggressive choices for fish in groups, to fit your tank size. You should be able to have a nice collection of macros and inverts though. Have you looked at cksss's thread? He has an impressive 40 gallon tank with gorgeous macros and inverts.

 

[lifeoffaith]

I have doubts you can keep multiple basslets in a 45. There are better, less aggressive choices for fish in groups, to fit your tank size. You should be able to have a nice collection of macros and inverts though. Have you looked at cksss's thread? He has an impressive 40 gallon tank with gorgeous macros and inverts.

Yes, I've seen his tank. It's gorgeous. That's the first tank that got me thinking about a macro tank.

I've also thought about a larger group of Flame cardinals. You think I'd fare better with those?

Maybe add a pygmy angel to keep them grouped a little better? That might not be good for my macros though.

 

[Michael Hoaster]

Those flame cardinals look great. I have no experience with cardinals, but from what I've read, they should do better than basslets in a 45. Pygmy angels are often quite aggressive, especially in smaller tanks. Take a look at gobies and blennies. There are several that do well in groups, and don't need a big tank. Some will even spawn for you.

 

[lifeoffaith]

11 different Caribbean macros arrived yesterday from a fellow reefer from Michigan: Sargassum, Bryothamnion, Galaxaria, Thin Coraline, Gracilaria, Gracilaria Hayi, Fern Caulerpa, Halimedia, Bladed Caulerpa, Sawtooth Caulerpa and Green Grape Caulerpa. I'm going to have to keep an eye on these Caulerpa and get them thinned out when needed, but cool to finally have some color in the tank. Still trying to decide on fish. Thinking about 4 yellow head jawfish for stocking and then something that swims in the water column along with a nice selection of inverts. Have any of you kept arrow crabs in your Caribbean biotopes with fish? I know they can be opportunistic, as other crabs are, but would be curious what kind of a risk I'd be taking with one. I'm really into the crazy inverts available in this hobby. I'd love to add an urchin too, but they'd probably tear up my macroalgae, so I'll stick with macro safe inverts I suppose.

 

[vlangel]

11 different Caribbean macros arrived yesterday from a fellow reefer from Michigan: Sargassum, Bryothamnion, Galaxaria, Thin Coraline, Gracilaria, Gracilaria Hayi, Fern Caulerpa, Halimedia, Bladed Caulerpa, Sawtooth Caulerpa and Green Grape Caulerpa. I'm going to have to keep an eye on these Caulerpa and get them thinned out when needed, but cool to finally have some color in the tank. Still trying to decide on fish. Thinking about 4 yellow head jawfish for stocking and then something that swims in the water column along with a nice selection of inverts. Have any of you kept arrow crabs in your Caribbean biotopes with fish? I know they can be opportunistic, as other crabs are, but would be curious what kind of a risk I'd be taking with one. I'm really into the crazy inverts available in this hobby. I'd love to add an urchin too, but they'd probably tear up my macroalgae, so I'll stick with macro safe inverts I suppose.

If you are thinking jawfish you must have a sandbed that has some depth in p,aces. Maybe a shrimp/goby pair wouldbe fun. Macro algaes are more forgiving to the digging than some coral.

I have a porcelain and a pom pom crab and both of those are fun. I also have emerald crabs but I think they can go rogue and go after coral.

 

[lifeoffaith]

If you are thinking jawfish you must have a sandbed that has some depth in p,aces. Maybe a shrimp/goby pair wouldbe fun. Macro algaes are more forgiving to the digging than some coral.

I have a porcelain and a pom pom crab and both of those are fun. I also have emerald crabs but I think they can go rogue and go after coral.

I do have around 3-4 inches of sand throughout the tank. At first I wasn't sure I liked it, but it's perfect for the jawfish.

Anemone crabs are definitely on the list for the rock flower anemones I plan on. I just really want something different. Your tank has been a big inspiration alongside Michael's and a couple others.

 

[vlangel]

I do have around 3-4 inches of sand throughout the tank. At first I wasn't sure I liked it, but it's perfect for the jawfish.

Anemone crabs are definitely on the list for the rock flower anemones I plan on. I just really want something different. Your tank has been a big inspiration alongside Michael's and a couple others.

Ahhh thank you. I appreciate the encouraging words. And I totally get why you would want unique inverts. Fish are great and beautiful but inverts are just fun, especially the different quirky ones. That is why I love the ocean so much...the diversity of life in all forms is so expansive. I am awestruck by it.

 

[lifeoffaith]

Ahhh thank you. I appreciate the encouraging words. And I totally get why you would want unique inverts. Fish are great and beautiful but inverts are just fun, especially the different quirky ones. That is why I love the ocean so much...the diversity of life in all forms is so expansive. I am awestruck by it.

I too am awestruck by it, definitely more fun than any hobby I've had before. Diversity is what I tell everyone who wants to listen is what got me into this hobby. Freshwater was getting boring. I still miss some if my freshwater tanks, but this totally makes up for it. And I tend to be a bit of a purist, letting nature take its course where I can, without being completely irresponsible.

Photos coming soon all!

 

[vlangel]

Photos coming soon all!

I will be excited to see them.

 

[lifeoffaith]

 

[lifeoffaith]

 

[vlangel]

Very nice scape and I like the macro algaes. That is wise of you keeping the caulerpa in the sand bed away from you rock work.

 

[Michael Hoaster]

Great pics! Tank looks great too. Beautiful selection of macros. You're off to a good start!

 

[lifeoffaith]

Thanks guys. Looking to add some more, but will be a bit. I have a screen top kit on the way so that I can get the tank ready for fish too.

 

[lifeoffaith]

Been seeing some microalgae growth and a bit of die off from my macroalgaes, but they all seem to be alive and well except for my Sargassum (I'm not sure how it's doing, doesn't look great) and my Halimedia. Halimedia never really greened back up after shipping. I'm a bit excited to go to a local frag swap with over 90 vendors this coming Sunday. I am thinking I will go for clean up crew and some inverts. Maybe if I get lucky I'll come home with some good deals.

Also have been considering a Caribbean Sharpnose Puffer as my main fish in the tank and then a group of 10 green banded gobies as well. My thoughts have shifted a few times on fish stocking, but I think I may be narrowing it down now. I know that my biggest thing will be replacing snails from time to time and steering clear of small shrimp, which was something I thought I might do, but I think I'll enjoy the Puffer more. I also saw that they can eat sponges and corals. I don't plan on corals except gorgonians and then plan on some rock flower anemones. Anyone had experience with sharpnose puffers and gorgonians/flower nems? Does anyone know if the bigger cleaner shrimps are ok with the smaller puffers (Peppermint, Skunk and Blood Red)? Has anyone kept puffers with other fish at all to see any agression?

 

[Michael Hoaster]

I've had similar luck with halimeda, even with good calcium levels. Sargassum I haven't tried, but I imagine it needs a ton of light, since it floats at the surface in nature.

It can be challenging, picking fish. There's so many choices! And then the real challenge is finding ones that play nicely with our chosen ecosystem. I have no experience with puffers, so I can't really help, but google should give you some answers. They look to be great personality fish.

I usually look at a potential fish's diet and behavior for clues to their compatibility with the rest of the tank members. Then I weigh the pros and cons. For me, no fish is more important than the ecosystem, so it forces me to be particular. Then, if I pick a fish and it turns out to be a bad fit, I remove it. I've seen a lot of bad fish choices transform cool ecosystems into ugly, boring 'fish tanks', simply because of sentimentality. "I can't remove him. He's too cute."

The green banded gobies sound like a good choice. Maybe give them a try first, and see how it goes, then decide what else would go well with them, and rest of your tank.

 

[vlangel]

Been seeing some microalgae growth and a bit of die off from my macroalgaes, but they all seem to be alive and well except for my Sargassum (I'm not sure how it's doing, doesn't look great) and my Halimedia. Halimedia never really greened back up after shipping. I'm a bit excited to go to a local frag swap with over 90 vendors this coming Sunday. I am thinking I will go for clean up crew and some inverts. Maybe if I get lucky I'll come home with some good deals.

Also have been considering a Caribbean Sharpnose Puffer as my main fish in the tank and then a group of 10 green banded gobies as well. My thoughts have shifted a few times on fish stocking, but I think I may be narrowing it down now. I know that my biggest thing will be replacing snails from time to time and steering clear of small shrimp, which was something I thought I might do, but I think I'll enjoy the Puffer more. I also saw that they can eat sponges and corals. I don't plan on corals except gorgonians and then plan on some rock flower anemones. Anyone had experience with sharpnose puffers and gorgonians/flower nems? Does anyone know if the bigger cleaner shrimps are ok with the smaller puffers (Peppermint, Skunk and Blood Red)? Has anyone kept puffers with other fish at all to see any agression?

I have never kept sargassum but subsea (Patrick) who keeps a lot of macros says that it is particularly challenging. I also have some sad looking Halimeda but I read that it can die back then resprout so I am leaving it be as sad as it looks.

I love puffers too but have never kept them with anything but mushrooms, leathers and palys.