Thinking of doing a lagoon tank, help needed.

[drouner]

I have done the pretty much the whole gambit of reef keeping except marine plants. I will be setting up a 58 gallon soon and was thinking of doing a lagoon tank. Maybe 1/4 - 1/2 with LR and the other with marine plants. It would probably mean getting rid of some of my SPS's such as some of my acro's but that would be okay. I would keep my clam, monti's, anchor, zoo, ricordia and mushrooms.

For light I do have PC's and a 175 MH that I would go with a 5500K or 6500K.

I would keep my CR as it seems that marine plants require Ca as well as my hard corals.


My current system is HOB skimmer and CR, with a closed loop on a sea swirl. Can I go with that or do I need to add a sump either way as I do have a sump to go with the new 58 gallon tank.

So okay so far?

I am trying to figure what kind of substrate to go with.
Where can you buy marine plants or can I collect them down in the gulf during vacations and travel?

 

[Samala]

Okay so far. Lighting looks good, Ca reactor should be good to help maintain your corals and I suppose the calcerous macro algae species will enjoy it (Halimeda, Penicillus, Udotea, etc). Not all macro's use up lots of Ca, these three will make a dent.

I dont think you have to have a sump, but it might be nice to hide all the equipment, right? Circulation design sounds fine.

Collecting from the gulf -- check with Texas and/or Florida state laws for collections of plants in the gulf. It can be done, but there are bag limits and permits are needed. See the top stickie threads for where to get marine plants commercially.

Substrate needs are going to be largely determined by whether or not you plan to house seagrasses in this tank. Check out last month's Reefkeeping article on seagrass to see what the considerations are. Macroalgae are far less picky in their substrate requirements.

>Sarah

 

[Paul B]

I plant "codium" that I collect on Atlantic beaches in Montauk New York. I don't know if you can find it where you are but it is very common here. It grows well, looks nice and is free. It is a weed so I doubt there is any restriction on it. The only thing I have found to eat it is snails. The fish don't touch it.
Paul

 

[drouner]

Sarah,

I have read through most of your stuff including your MySpace Blog. Oh, well. Very informative. I like the concept of seagrass. It is kind of the look that I am going for. So for the time being I am leaning that way.

I do have one question on lighting, for what I have read I go with a MH I need to stay at 10K or less? Or can I venture all the way to 14K. This is for a seagrass set up.

Paul, thanks. I like free stuff.


What is fun is having to learn all new species, names and terminology. I have gotten so use to "Arco's", "SPS", "moniti" etc.