My 40 gal macro/seagrass

[moosejac]

I set this up about 4 months ago, and am finally starting to feel happy about it. I recently fought a bout with dinoflaggelates(?), but have finally got those mostly under control. After reading so much on different dosing methods for things like Iron and NO3, I think I got a little out of control trying to stimulate more growth, and that is what I believe caused some of the nuisance algae problems I had. So now I am taking a "hands-off" approach, and not dosing anything, only doing a small WC every week or so.

Lighting: 150 watt HQI 10,000k

Filtration: 2 Aquaclear 50's w/ Hydor Rotating Thing-ies

Substrate: 100 lbs. AragaMud (~4-5 inches)

and some pretty pictures....

 

[bluenassarius]

that almost looks like a freshwater set up.
:thumbsup: good job on the aquascaping. i like the wide open look.

 

[3D-Reef]

Nice job!
I see Who that halimeda was for.
Clay

 

[Samala]

Its really coming along! Good to hear that the plagues have abated for now. Keep the updates coming!

>Sarah

 

[moosejac]

Clay...you seem suprpised about the halimeda...why do you think I wanted you to bring it in...for the store? HA!

I wouldn't quite call what I've got going on aquascaping yet...more like a bunch of what ever I've been able to get my hands on lately that is in the plant family. Once some things start growing in a little, I'll hopefully be able to put some sort of design to it.

Sarah, I have my fingers crossed for you on that oar grass taking off...its keewwwwllll!

Nathan

 

[moosejac]

Oh yeah, almost forgot...I've got several small pieces of what I know as "Maidens Hair"(you can see it in several of the pic's), and I was wondering if anyone had much experience with it?
I believe its calcareous? Would love to get it growing more...

 

[mr. bojangsjang]

Love it!

What are the dimensions of that tank? It looks perfcect for a lagoon tank!

In the 6th, 7th, and 8th pictures is that a piece of twig-like wood? If so where did you get it?

How have your pH, alk, and calcium readings been?

 

[moosejac]

Its a 40 breeder (36x18x16). The twiggy thing was a beautiful blue gorgonian, but after three boughts of dinoflagellates, its not so blue anymore...its still in there because the seahorses like to grab on to the branches. All tank readings have always been steady, until I've started with the CO2, as the ph has dropped a bit, but I think everything is ok.

 

[mr. bojangsjang]

A gorgonain is a coral right? Excuse the newbyness lol. I really want something twiggy like that, do you know of anything similar such as grapewood or something?

Aside from the c02 dropping a bit, what other pros/cons did you get from the c02?

Sorry for the bombardment of questions but I really like your tank lol.

 

[moosejac]

I've only been running the CO2 for a few days now, so I'll have to get back to you on the pros/cons thing.

Yes, gorgonians are corals. There are tons of different kinds, some that are strictly filter feeders, some that are photosynthetic, and some kinda in between. A good rule of thumb is if its coloful, its a filter feeder, and if its brown, it needs light. Most are a bit difficult to care for, so make sure you do your research before grabbing one.

One more thing...I'm glad you like the tank in those pics, but alas, most of it went away in the last dinoflagellates bloom I had. All I have remaining is the Turtle grass and the Eel grass, but they are on a comeback!

Nathan

 

[mr. bojangsjang]

Also one molre thing Nathan, I love the gray bits over the sub strate. Did those come with the 100 lbs of Aragamud or are they LR rubble or something?

 

[mr. bojangsjang]

And do you have any sea cucumbers or anything to help stir up the sand bed?

 

[moosejac]

All the rubble came with the AragaMud...makes a nice mix, I think. I do have lots of little critters for the sandbed, including several cucumbers, hermit's, and snails.

Also, since starting this thread, I have added a FilStar 3 for helping with particulate's, which has made a big difference.

Nathan

 

[mr. bojangsjang]

What are particulates? Again excuse my newbyness Nathan lol.

 

[moosejac]

stuff...crud...debris...free-floating particles