Weeds

[Michael Hoaster]

Those nutrient levels are perhaps too low, even for sps corals, so very challenging for plants. Seagrasses can flourish in lower nutrients, but not that low. I'd try to nudge those nutrient levels up to the higher accepted ranges for your corals. That's the tightrope.

I would definitely increase the fish feeding. That'll help get nitrate and phosphate up a little. For carbon, plants prefer CO2, so if you have a calcium reactor you're good. If not, typical reef tank alkalinity levels should provide enough bicarbonates for them to convert to CO2.

What you're doing is challenging, but I think it can be done, with a few changes. Right now, I think you are a little too reef oriented. Bump up those nutrients a touch. And remove the competition - the scrubber and refugium. The fast growing algae on scrubbers will always outcompete grasses for nutrients.

 

[ThePurple12]

I'll definitely feed more and remove the ATS, which is actually the light source for the refugium. I actually wasn't trying to have such low nitrate levels. I think the corals will be fine with the increased nitrate.

Thanks both of you for the help, I'm a big fan of both of your tanks!

 

[Michael Hoaster]

My pleasure! I'm stoked to see another seagrass keeper. Good luck! Consider starting a thread. I'd love to see pics and progress.

 

[vlangel]

My pleasure! I'm stoked to see another seagrass keeper. Good luck! Consider starting a thread. I'd love to see pics and progress.

Me too!

 

[ThePurple12]

Maybe I will start a thread. Hmm...

 

[Michael Hoaster]

You should! I think a lot of people would be interested in what you're doing.

 

[Michael Hoaster]

The back wall is getting pretty jungle-y. Lots of algae diversity. It's chaos. I want it to get shaggy before I add the next fish. I still prune it but it spreads. I'm going with it! Plus I'm still favoring some of the greens to spread, like the turtle weed, aka maiden's hair. I'm very much enjoying my fake wall. It's a living puzzle that should keep me occupied for years!

My string of pearls plant is recovering well, putting out new pearls. I noticed two frags still growing from where I removed it. Over time, I'm spreading this plant around.

I'm still hoping my disappeared ulva intesinalis pops up again somewhere. My other ulva did that. If not, I may try another one, and try a different location.

I think I'll give the red macros a good pruning this weekend. While I'm at it, I'll relocate some the caulerpa verticillata (petticoat) to the seagrasses and maybe some more on the back wall. Of all the caulerpas, this may be my favorite. It's so delicate and moves pleasingly in the current.

Not much growth with the new codium and tufted joint algae. They don't look to be dying either, so I'll reserve judgement. A little more time might help.

The mangrove trees have put out new leaves, and gotten taller. I'd estimate they're six to seven inches from the water surface. I keep wondering if they're going to make it, and they keep growing.

The manatee grass is gradually growing taller. I think I have a good spread of plants now. I'll have to get some pics this weekend.

 

[Michael Hoaster]

...

 

[Michael Hoaster]

 

[Michael Hoaster]

Snapped a few pics:

The whole enchilada.

Tufted Joint Algae or Cymopolia barbata.

Artsy.

Seagrasses with other green favorites.

 

[vlangel]

Love the pics Michael. The FTS with the green of the grasses/macros and the reds on the right and the the blue and black & white from the damsels is simply stunning in such a simple beautiful way! Elegant simplicity and yet intricately diverse. I love it!

 

[Michael Hoaster]

Thanks Dawn! It's coming along.

 

[Michael Hoaster]

I doubt it was noticeable in my pics, but I took the scissors to most of my red grapes plants. They were getting kinda ratty and faded. Scroll back up to the FTS and you can see the two front rocks have a lot less growing on them. I expect they'll grow back. I relocated more of the Caulerpa verticillata to the back wall and grass bed as well.

If things keep going as they are, I could reach my vision for this tank pretty soon! All I'm lacking at this point is better plant coverage on the back wall, taller and denser growth of the Manatee grass and a more robust ground cover coverage, between the grasses. That shouldn't take more than a couple of months…

 

[vlangel]

Michael, that is exciting that you are nearing your finished vision for this tank. One thing I was wondering is did you ever get the wave maker going to give the tank that rhythmic waving of the grasses back and forth? If not is that still part of the final vision?

 

[Michael Hoaster]

Thanks Dawn. Yes, the wave box has been running all along, giving me the lovely back and forth water movement. It's the main circulation pump on a closed loop that I've yet to get running. Just about every solution I can think of requires that I drain the tank, so I haven't done it. I also came to the realization that my main pump is too loud for my living room, so I'm looking at other pumps. Once I have a pump and a solid plan, then I can look at draining down the tank and making whatever mods are needed. I'm not sure when I'll be able to make that happen, but I want to.

As for the vision thing, I was mostly just talking about the plant-scape. I'm getting pretty close to what I want, in that regard. Lots of other stuff to do, like get more fish and inverts. For now, I'm just trying to facilitate plant growth that I want, while weeding out what I don't.

 

[vlangel]

Thanks Dawn. Yes, the wave box has been running all along, giving me the lovely back and forth water movement. It's the main circulation pump on a closed loop that I've yet to get running. Just about every solution I can think of requires that I drain the tank, so I haven't done it. I also came to the realization that my main pump is too loud for my living room, so I'm looking at other pumps. Once I have a pump and a solid plan, then I can look at draining down the tank and making whatever mods are needed. I'm not sure when I'll be able to make that happen, but I want to.

As for the vision thing, I was mostly just talking about the plant-scape. I'm getting pretty close to what I want, in that regard. Lots of other stuff to do, like get more fish and inverts. For now, I'm just trying to facilitate plant growth that I want, while weeding out what I don't.

Thanks for the clarification. Now I remember that I should have known that you had the wave maker going because I asked about you making a video so we all could enjoy that lovely rhythmic motion. Hhhm, we would still enjoy that video.

That make sense that this phase of establishing the plant life is nearing your vision. Everything in its season right? That is how the bio-life that is so integral to your system is established so I should have known that there were more phases to follow, ha ha!

I am not as young as I used to be so you will have to pardon me for forgetting details about your tank. Ha ha, I don't always remember details about my own tank these days!

 

[Michael Hoaster]

I know what you mean, forgetting details with age. I find I have reread posts so as to not make erroneous points about stuff that wasn't even said! You are hereby pardoned.

 

[Vinny Kreyling]

Michael,
Take a look @ the Varios line of DC pumps.
They get good reviews & are quiet.

 

[Michael Hoaster]

Thanks Vinny, I'll check them out.

 

[Michael Hoaster]

Healthy greetings, everyone. I hope you all are doing well, being smart and staying safe.

Not a lot to report lately. Ironically, I've been doing less tank maintenance, during lockdown. I did a little export over the weekend. Mostly Dictoya, which has spread itself all around the tank. I'm not trying to eradicate it - just keep it under control. I let it grow a little bigger now, which makes it easier to remove. I remove the ones that are shading or crowding desirable plants. In one spot on the wall, where I removed several plants, some unknown, new ones are popping up. They are small, green and stubby. My first guess was that it is Neomeris Annulata. Now I'm leaning towards it being Codium. Either one would be fine with me.

I'm a little torn between wanting to prune more, and wanting to let the plants get overgrown, in anticipation of getting a new, herbivorous fish. But with the uncertainty of everything, I'm not inclined to go fish shopping anytime soon.

With Springtime arriving, I'm anticipating a growth spurt from the Manatee Grass. In preparation, I'd like to get rid of some of the other plants on the sand bed. This will allow me to see better where manatee grass plants are, and where there are gaps. It'll be a big job and will probably take a few days to do it. It's tedious, back-breaking work. It's going to require some serious gumption. Posting here is the first step. Next, I'll make a list and a plan. Then, there'll be nothing left to do but do it.