Large tall macros?

[mr. bojangsjang]

I am planning a very tall tank (32 X 18 X 40) for pot belly seahorses. I hate artifical hitches, so I want to give them some live plants to hhitch on.

Are there any maros that grow very tall? I would like something that looks like seaweed washed up on shore to give it a nice deep water look that these horses come from.

 

[mr. bojangsjang]

nobody knows any

 

[piercho]

I've had Sargassum over 30" long, growing up from rubble at the base of the tank with its end floating on the surface. However, IMO it will need bright light to survive and grow. Manatee grass will also grow very tall. More challanging to establish than Sargassum, and also requires fairly bright light.
Are these seahorses tropical or temperate, anyways?

 

[Samala]

Potbelly's should be Hippocampus abdominalis, yes? Fairly cool water, temperate zone animals if I remember my research.

Even if 40" is your tallest dimension that might only be sufficient for a short time while they are juveniles. The SH folks will know better of course. Greenighs here on RC would be a great person to ask, I believe she's keeping potbellies in a natural, macro filled, setting.

Considering potbelly's size I wouldnt even attempt manatee grass. It would be great for height but they'll rip the plants right in half when they try to hitch to it. Its not that its really delicate, but I still think they'd accomplish that.

So, whats left. The spiralling forms of Ulva, like Ulva intestinalis might work. Those can grow fairly tall and will look grassy but it'll be a fight to find them. SH may or may not damage them. Howard's suggestion of Sargassum is really excellent. Potentially Gracilaria as well, but you need coldwater sourced material to start with.

>Sarah

 

[Samala]

Ah, I was thinking, you could stage the macroalgae in height to help cover the full dimension of the tank. So attach them to LR in a low area, a middle ground and a higher point, say about 12" from the top of the tank. Use some glue or another stabilizing system to keep it all in place. Glue the macro to those rocks. Might work. They dont all have to be placed in the sand afterall. That's a considerable advantage we have over the freshwater plant folks.

>Sarah

 

[mr. bojangsjang]

Thanks. according to everyone on seahorse.org 36" is the minimum height for pot bellies. I think this is going to be a challenge as I am looking for low-light macros that grow very tall and accept temperate temps, around 62 degrees.

 

[mr. bojangsjang]

Nice, great idea Sarah! Are you suggesting building the LR up at different heights or attaching it to the glass?