Weeds

[vlangel]

O yeah, I forgot to mention: Dave is doing well with COVID. Every day he feels a little better and has more energy so everything is going as it should. He never was very sick so apparently he has a very mild case. I am not manifesting any symptoms at all so it's just one big party here, a party of two that is since we are quarantining, LOL.

 

[Michael Hoaster]

That's good to hear. Take care!

 

[lapin]

The Co2 will increase a plant carbon uptake. Not sure if that applies to salt water macros or not. But maybe as you have demonstrated

 

[Michael Hoaster]

It seems to be working well. Most fresh and saltwater plants are Carbon-limited, both in Nature and in aquariums. And it's the nutrient they need the most of. Also CO2 is their favorite form of Carbon.

Thanks for dropping by lapin!

 

[Michael Hoaster]

Okay, so I've been slacking. Biking and camping have kept me away from my usual weekend aquarium upkeep. That time of year, I guess. Today I thought I'd do something a little different, and post a 'before' look at my tank, to show what a jungle it has become. Then, hopefully I'll get to work, and then post 'after' pics.

Much of the Manatee Grass has grown to the surface-more than ever, actually. It has also grown around the patch reef, both in front and back. The white spots on the glass are Spirorbid Worms. These likely popped up after I got the Tree Sponge and started feeding it Phytoplankton.

From the right end. More Spirorbid Worms and seagrass trying to take over the tank. Also visible are the Royal Grammas and Tomini Tang.

So, now I'll get to work, and hopefully post 'after' pics.

 

[vlangel]

I am glad that you have had some time to follow other pursuits. Your tank still looks good to me even if it is a bit wild. Seeing before and after pics will be fun.

 

[Michael Hoaster]

Alright, since we're at the top of the page, I'll start with 'before'.

AFTER. I tidied up some algae and caulerpa and pinched seagrass tips. Oh, and I scraped the glass. I balked at the amount of work I was facing and just did a modest tidy.

Maybe the best the macros have ever looked. I love how the Sargassum mingles with the Manatee Grass at the surface. I was able to 'style' the Sargassum in a more vertical position by wrapping seagrass around it. Look back at the before and after shots to see the difference.

Enchanted Garden.

Orange Tree Sponge. Scarlett is still keeping it clear of algae and detritus.

Lots of tall seagrass.

String of Pearls, close up.

It's great to finally fill in the height of my tall tank.

I was never sure how I would get the verticality I wanted in the macros. Luckily, the Sargassum grew out of the live rock. The Gracilaria also provides height.

Despite my half-hearted tidy, the tank cleaned up nice.

 

[Michael Hoaster]

A few more pics…

Pretty good shot from the end.

I really tried to get a good shot of Scarlett. This was the best I could get. She's twitchy.

The grammas were a little better. I like how they catch the light here.

Top-down view. A fun perspective.

The grammas mostly hang at the dimmer, right end of the tank.

 

[vlangel]

Love the new pics Michael! It looks to be the perfect amount of tidying to me! The grammas look amazing and we're a really good choice!

 

[Michael Hoaster]

Thanks Dawn! It's tough to stay on top of cleanup this time of year, with other fun stuff to do. The grammas and tang are both doing well, so I'm happy. I'm in uncharted territory with the grasses and macros growing so tall, but I love how it looks.

I still plan to pull Shoal Grass. I'll send them when I do.

 

[vlangel]

I appreciate the shoal grass but no hurry. Hopefully I will figure out why the prior shoal grass you gave me is not flourishing before you are ready to pull more.

 

[Michael Hoaster]

Sorry they haven't taken off for you. Maybe I didn't pull them with enough care, and there weren't enough roots. I'll try to do better next time. Do you have them rooting in the dirt?

 

[Vinny Kreyling]

Tank looks good Mike. Nice to see something different.

 

[vlangel]

Sorry they haven't taken off for you. Maybe I didn't pull them with enough care, and there weren't enough roots. I'll try to do better next time. Do you have them rooting in the dirt?

Actually, I do not think that it had anything to do with how you pulled them. The shoal grass looked great when they arrived and good for a time after they were planted. Maybe I disturbed them too much when I added the garden dirt or maybe they are just lacking something they need.

 

[Michael Hoaster]

Hey Vinny! Thanks for the kind words.

 

[Michael Hoaster]

I'm sure you'll get a feel for them, Dawn. And they'll get a feel for you and your methods, schedules, etc.

 

[Chasmodes]

Well, I had to catch up from page 58, but what a great read. Your tank looks fantastic given the trials and tribulations, ups and downs, that you faced along the way. I love how the grass, sargassum, and gracilaria fill out the entire tank vertically. V2 has come a long way. Are you planning on adding any more grammas, or fish, in general?

Sorry about being away so long. I've had a lot going on both at work and at home, not leaving me much time (especially with a fishing habit, LOL).

Dawn, now I need to binge read to catch up on your thread too

 

[Michael Hoaster]

Thanks Kevin! Approaching the vision, for sure. I definitely want more fish. I'm still kicking around different ideas. Probably not more Grammas.

Don't worry about being away. Come when you can and let's have some fun.

Good luck with your build. You're making good progress!

 

[vlangel]

Well, I had to catch up from page 58, but what a great read. Your tank looks fantastic given the trials and tribulations, ups and downs, that you faced along the way. I love how the grass, sargassum, and gracilaria fill out the entire tank vertically. V2 has come a long way. Are you planning on adding any more grammas, or fish, in general?

Sorry about being away so long. I've had a lot going on both at work and at home, not leaving me much time (especially with a fishing habit, LOL).

Dawn, now I need to binge read to catch up on your thread too

My tank has had it's share of ups and downs but in general things are alright. I need to catch up on your build too. I did collect some oyster clusters last week on my vacation which was inspired by your oyster cluster biotope tank

 

[vlangel]

I concur with Kevin's sentiment about how Michael's tank is maturing beautifully! It has been a fun journey to tag along and I look forward to seeing what fish life will call this tank their home!