planted/display fuge suggestion please

[virginiadiver69]

First off, let me introduce myself. I have been on RC for a little while now but this is my first time over here in this corner.
I have finally gotten my main display up and running now I am moving on to getting my fuge set up. Do to space restrictions in my stand it has to be on a stand next to the display. For this reason I would like to set it up as an additional display. It's main purpose will be to act as a traditional refuge with macros.
It will have 1x96W 50/50 for lighting, a 3"-4" oolitic sand bed and about 40lbs of base rock.
So far I plan on adding cheato and mangrove. When the tank matures I plan on housing a mandarin or two and seahorses.
What else can I do to make this an attractive, natural looking planted tank while still keeping it a functional refuge for my main display? Please give me suggestions on colorful algae and easy to care for plant that might work.
Any and all recommendations are welcome.
Chris

 

[virginiadiver69]

Anybody?

 

[Phyto]

There are many nice Caulerpas if you don't mind them, seagrasses if you like a challenge. There are many calcareous algaes like Halimeda spp. and the wide variety of corallines. Red Gracillaria is nice

 

[virginiadiver69]

Are there any good reference books that anyone would suggest? Maybe something similar to my Pocket Expert Guide for Marine Invertebrates and Pocket Expert Guide for Marine Fishes.

 

[ClamIAm]

Unfortunately the planted tank as a display is really just starting to become popular and no good books that I know of have been written on the topic. Right now your best bet is to read info on this forum and experiment