Planted Aquariums

[mathueson]

I would like to set up a planted aquarium for banggai cardinals and my seahorses. I do not know how to go about this. I want to use true plants, not macroalgaes.

I wanted to know what kind of substrate - sand, mud? And what plants would be a good idea? Is this a metal halide project? Or VHO? I have a few tanks that are choices for converting, one has a MH and one has a VHO. So both options are ok, just do not know where to start. Any help here would be greatly appreciated.

Misti

 

[skylsdale]

Spend some time here: Marine Plant & Macroalgae Forum

Plenty of threads if you do a search that should answer just about all your questions.

 

[Dwayne]

mathueson - I think you'll get more assistance in here.

Dwayne

 

[kmk2307]

Hi mathueson,

I think you may be disappointed how few embryophyte plants (aka true, non algal plants) live in the tropical marine habitat and how very few of those are available in the hobby.

Here is a page w/ a list of sea grasses and pictures of them.
http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/seagrass/pgallery.htm
I believe Thalassia, Syringodium, Halophilia, and Halodule are available in the hobby. Here is another good resource w/ information on sea grass: http://www.sms.si.edu/irlspec/Seagrass_Habitat.htm

Red mangroves (Rhizophora mangle) are another vascular plant common in the hobby but these are trees that get very large and only their roots are in the water. Here is a link with some information on mangroves: http://wetwebmedia.com/mangrovetrees.htm

I'm not very knoledgeable about vascular plants so hopefully someone else will chime in and give you some more info. Are you wanting to set up a type tank w/ just true plants? Are you avoiding macroalgae because of concerns about things like algae "going sexual?"

As far as lighting, metal halide would probably be your best bet. I would say get a general idea of what plants you want to keep and what lighting they like before setting up the tank. As far as substrate, I think a fine calcium-based sandy substrate that has been well established would be your best bet. Of course embryophytes have roots for nutrient uptake and not just holding them in place so having a small amount of an iron and mineral rich substrate (look for the kids marketed for planted tanks) mixed into your sand would probably be beneficial.

Kevin

 

[mathueson]

Kevin-

Thank you so much for your reply. I will check out the sites that you listed. I was thinking of doing something on the lines of turtle grass. Seahorses and Banggai's both like it. I am not at all concerned with the "sexual" aspect of macroalgaes. I have macro in all 6 of my current tanks, from my 180 g to my 3 g. I have just always loved recreating natural habitats - and a seagrass flat will be my next endeavor. Silly... but...

Thanks again!

Misti

 

[kmk2307]

Hey Misti,

That seagrass flat idea sounds really cool. I just wanted to be sure you didn't think all macros could "go sexual" or soemthing and thats why you were avoiding them. Please keep us posted with information you find and when your tank is up share some pics

Thanks!
Kevin

 

[therealacarolla]

how do you know when they go sexual?

 

[kmk2307]

therealacarolla,

Check out this thread: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=349241&goto=newpost

Bacially the alga looks pale and "smoke" will be seeping out of it if you catch it in the act.

Kevin