Weeds

[Michael Hoaster]

I try to cut them off just below the lowest attached algae. I always try to leave some blades to keep photosynthesis going, to power their recovery. I have read that seagrasses 'like' to be grazed and respond well with new growth. In my experience, this seems to be true.

You may recall from my previous thread that I wanted to get rid of the Turtle Grass that was taking over. I cut the blades off at the base, and they did not grow back.

So I wouldn't cut them off at the base unless you leave some blades uncut. For example, if the plant has three blades, maybe you cut off two of them, and leave one uncut.

I'm struggling with my words this morning. Does this make sense?

 

[ThePurple12]

Makes sense, but in my case the algae covers the entire blade. That's okay I guess, as I'm not trying to eradicate every single strand. Time to start cutting!

 

[Michael Hoaster]

Maybe do it in two phases. Cut all but one blade on each plant, then let them grow new blades back. Then go back and cut the old one that still has algae on it.

 

[ThePurple12]

Ah, too late. That’s a good idea, though. We’ll see what happens.

 

[Michael Hoaster]

Right on. I think most will grow back, depending on how much stored energy they have. They'll just need enough to get some blades growing and then photosynthesis can bring more energy.

When I clipped my turtle grass, I had to go back and clip some of them again.

Consider it an experiment. We can all benefit from your findings.

 

[ThePurple12]

I think you're right. I'll get some pics tomorrow when the lights are on.

 

[Michael Hoaster]

I really should prune my grasses too. I was looking at them again today. It's not as many as I thought. Shouldn't be too bad of a scalping. It opens them up with a little more space between them. And it looks better with only green blades. Gardening…

 

[Michael Hoaster]

A simulated manatee rolled through the Seagrass Sandbar Lagoon today. It really thinned them out, but it's greener. A few adjustments on the red macros and we're good. Still considering a massive 'School of Tangs' event on that caulerpa…

 

[ThePurple12]

Nice and lush! What fish are you planning on adding next?

 

[Michael Hoaster]

Thanks ThePurple12! You inspired me to do it.

I have no plans for the next fish to add, but I have thoughts. I'd love to have more Allen's Damsels, for starters. Not sure I can pull it off, but a total of 8-10 would be great. I'd like to get another Royal Gramma harem going. I may 'upgrade' to tank-raised Orchid Dottybacks, if I can find a good deal on them, and info that would convince me they won't be too mean. Their coloring and sheen would really pair well with the Allen's. A Bristletooth Tang might be handy for detritus and algae help. If I decide I don't want macro algae anymore, a Foxface should do the trick, but I doubt I'll want to get rid of all my macros. One of my all-time favorite fish is the Regal Blue Tang. Fun personality and maybe a little algae consumption. Pygmy Angels have been on my radar, but with sponges in their diets, they're probably a no-go. That's all I can think of for now.

 

[vlangel]

I loved the last pic. So much green. The seagrass looks great. You and thePurple are inspiring me to snip the tops off of the blades of seagrass with algae on them. I will let you guys know when I do.

 

[Michael Hoaster]

Thanks Dawn! It really greens up the overall impression doesn't it? A little tedious but worth the 'after' pic! Luckily, I don't need to do it very often. It's therapeutic for my obsessive-compulsive side.

You could do it too, for your grasses, to tidy up if you like. How are they settling in?

 

[vlangel]

Thanks Dawn! It really greens up the overall impression doesn't it? A little tedious but worth the 'after' pic! Luckily, I don't need to do it very often. It's therapeutic for my obsessive-compulsive side.

You could do it too, for your grasses, to tidy up if you like. How are they settling in?

I probably will do that eventually. Some of the blades are very green and others are green at the base but have algae at the top. Those will be the blades that will experience a grazing event, ha ha. However in general I believe that the seagrass is getting settled and established.

 

[Michael Hoaster]

Yeah, it sounds like a good idea, but no rush with new(ish) plants. I'd wait until they are well established and growing well. Also, since it is sort of a secondary display, there's less need for perfection.

 

[vlangel]

Yeah, it sounds like a good idea, but no rush with new(ish) plants. I'd wait until they are well established and growing well. Also, since it is sort of a secondary display, there's less need for perfection.

Having the fuge in the basement with the sump definitely takes the pressure off to make it look good all the time. It's a double edged sword however. When it does look good nobody but me sees it, ha ha!

 

[Michael Hoaster]

I look forward to seeing your interpretation of the macro-seagrass refugium!

 

[Michael Hoaster]

Here's another FTS, just for fun.

You can't see it here, but I'm dealing with cyanobacteria on my sand bed. I exported some today. I'll keep exporting to wear it down, then I'll finish it off with a blackout.

 

[ThePurple12]

It’s 2021 in Eastern Time!

I was wondering, do you have experience with fighting conchs? I was thinking of getting a couple, as I read that “Conchs do not eat seagrass. They scrape off the covering of algae that adhere to the blades of grass. The seagrass remains unscathed.”

This sounds like the perfect solution to the epiphyte problem in my tank. Almost too good to be true.

Good luck with that cyano. Shouldn’t be too hard to get rid of, hopefully,

 

[Michael Hoaster]

Happy New Year!

I have a lovely fighting conch that cruises around the sand and eats. I haven't noticed it cleaning the grasses, but I don't see why it wouldn't. The mini strombus snails really do great on the thin blades.

We'll see on the cyano. I've had some luck with it earlier in the tank's development. Now that the tank has filled in, it has reduced the current, making it ripe for cyano.

 

[vlangel]

Happy New Year!

I have a lovely fighting conch that cruises around the sand and eats. I haven't noticed it cleaning the grasses, but I don't see why it wouldn't. The mini strombus snails really do great on the thin blades.

We'll see on the cyano. I've had some luck with it earlier in the tank's development. Now that the tank has filled in, it has reduced the current, making it ripe for cyano.

Happy 2021! Everything looks real good. Cyano, what a pain in the butt! My tank has it too. Good luck with the black out!