Substrate

[mr_miagi32]

What is a recommended substrate for Macro-algae? At the moment im using plain Aragonite sand. The species I am trying to grow/propagate is a Zostera sp. seagrass. But species may vary in the future (and for different systems), so any recommended substrate would be really helpful, thanks.

 

[piercho]

Eelgrass in the estuaries of Puget Sound (where I live) grows in very fine, nutrient rich, highly sedimented silica sand. I tried to transplant it into a tank with sand collected from eelgrass beds, and was not successful. The rhizome stayed firm a long time (months), but the leaves died back and it never sent up new shoots.

 

[jmanrow]

Silica and iron seem to be in high concentration in commercial "Mud" planted tank products. I would think silica sand/laterite/aragonite sand mixture would be a good DIY substrate. Possibly the addition of some sort of an organic fertilizer such as kelp meal http://www.agriorganics.com/products/sea_life.html would also be helpful. Any comments on this?

 

[jmanrow]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9113718#post9113718 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jmanrow
Silica and iron seem to be in high concentration in commercial "Mud" planted tank products. I would think silica sand/laterite/aragonite sand mixture would be a good DIY substrate. Possibly the addition of some sort of an organic fertilizer such as kelp meal http://www.agriorganics.com/products/sea_life.html would also be helpful. Any comments on this?

Since I have not used kelp meal or kelp powder, I will be adding very small amounts to the substrate to avoid possible overdosage or cyanobacteria outbreak when I set up my 55 gallon seagrass/mangrove/seahorse tank. Kelp powder is also available as a nutritional supplement in gelcaps. I may add via gelcap to the root area of my existing seagrass for a start. http://www.lifesvigor.com/32094.html

 

[mr_miagi32]

I dont have access to products exactly like that, but I could have a look next time im at a Garden Center or Home hardware. Id imagine you place it underneath a layer of aragonite or silica?

What about FW Plant fertilizer root tabs? Anyone use these?

Ingrediants include:

N = 0.64%
Phosphate (available as P205) = <0.0300%

and many more, including Zinc, Calcium, Chlorine, Cobalt, Tin, Nickel, Manganese....

Would any of these ingredients have an effect n tank parameters, and invertebrates?

I was also wondering about collecting mud from mangroves or a seagrass bed. Placing it under a layer of aragonite (for aesthetics). Possible?

Anyone with more experiences?

 

[mr_miagi32]

So does no-one have info/discussions/debates/studies on substrate for marine macroaglaes and seagrass? LOL

Is it relatively un-discussed, or do people just use the ordinary aragonite/silica sands without the need for other alternatives?

(I wish I had more facilities, then Id love to experiment....)

 

[piercho]

Here are a few threads on the topic from this forum:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1026067
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=686049
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=828633
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=874550
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=874550
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=771754
The book Dynamic Aquaria, Adey & Lovejoy, has whole chapters dealing with substrates, submerged aquatic vegetation, and nutrient paths.
I've used both Seachem plant tablets and pond plant tablets in my tank without an undesirable outbreak of problem algae. I can't say that either seemed to much for seagrass, though. I've also experimented with iron-rich fired clay substrate along with fertilizer tabs to grow star grass and not found much to recommend it. My opinion is that the best substrate for most seagrass is fine, soft, filthy (sediment/detritus/nutrient-rich) sand collected from estuaries where seagrass grows.

 

[jmanrow]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9141311#post9141311 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by piercho
Here are a few threads on the topic from this forum:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1026067
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=686049
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=828633
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=874550
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=874550
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=771754
The book Dynamic Aquaria, Adey & Lovejoy, has whole chapters dealing with substrates, submerged aquatic vegetation, and nutrient paths.
I've used both Seachem plant tablets and pond plant tablets in my tank without an undesirable outbreak of problem algae. I can't say that either seemed to much for seagrass, though. I've also experimented with iron-rich fired clay substrate along with fertilizer tabs to grow star grass and not found much to recommend it. My opinion is that the best substrate for most seagrass is fine, soft, filthy (sediment/detritus/nutrient-rich) sand collected from estuaries where seagrass grows.

Thanks for dredging up these old buried threads. This is the first time I have seen some of them.