Planning my macro algae/ seagrass tank - Page 3

nawilson89 · 10/27/2015, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saltwater sam

You can't go wrong with live-plants.com. They are the best. I'm not even being paid to say that.

Or are you!

saltwater sam · 10/27/2015, 11:14 AM

I should be. They should sponsor my tank.

nawilson89 · 10/27/2015, 01:12 PM

Well I found someone locally that will sell me some dragons breath.

Ok well live-plants.com is local, but this seller is down the street from my job. So going with him first to give me SOMETHING. Then get my order from Ebay by Saturday. With that I'll see where I am and then order from Live-Plants if I need too!

nawilson89 · 10/27/2015, 03:05 PM

Just got home. GUESS WHO HAS A DIATOM BLOOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Michael Hoaster · 10/27/2015, 04:40 PM

That's totally normal, and good actually. Cerith snails should be the next resident, IMO.

nawilson89 · 10/27/2015, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Hoaster

That's totally normal, and good actually. Cerith snails should be the next resident, IMO.

Yeah! I was super excited about it. It came much earlier than I thought it would. Guess Live sand, mud and rocks will do that for ya.

Cerith snails. Check. Going to look for some at some point this week.

nawilson89 · 10/28/2015, 05:37 AM

Trying to upload pictures, but it keeps failing

Michael Hoaster · 10/28/2015, 10:15 AM

There was a good article I googled about posting pics to RC. You may want to check that out.

nawilson89 · 10/28/2015, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Hoaster

There was a good article I googled about posting pics to RC. You may want to check that out.

Meh that's work.

It's weird because I uploading the picture the other day no problem. So temperamental.

Same time it doesn't matter since all the picture come out purple and it's hard to see anything.

nawilson89 · 10/28/2015, 11:16 AM

Can you see the diatoms?!?!!?

nawilson89 · 10/28/2015, 06:20 PM

To update. Met up with a local reefer and got some great looking dragon's breath. Stopped at an LFS and picked up some reef rubble, caulerpa prolifera and ceriths.

Looks AMAZING compared to before. I love the addition of greens and red to the blue tank.

Was acclimating the Ceriths and went to dip the bag in some water just to get them started and dropped the bag... into the water... So Ceriths got a bit of a shock, hope I didn't kill any. A few turned over and haven't moved and one submerged himself in the sand.

We'll see tomorrow.

nawilson89 · 10/30/2015, 03:22 PM

Think I'm going to need to go to my LFS and get some more Ceriths... The 6 I have are working hard, but haven't been able to get 80% of the tank. They've worked on one side of the tank since I got them, even though that portion is CLEAN.

Also I can't wait to add fish... UGH.

Michael Hoaster · 10/30/2015, 03:46 PM

Sounds like your ceriths survived. Yay! From what I've read, snails are sensitive to water chemistry changes, so that's lucky. You might try moving them to where you want them to clean. Seems like that would work. Remember they multiply, so you may not need more.

Are your grasses getting coated? If so, you may want to manually clean each blade. With your tank, you can probably use two hands-one to hold the plant down/in place, and one to pinch and pull off the coating.

I'd try to leave the sand alone while the live critters in there multiply.

Lookin' good!

nawilson89 · 10/30/2015, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Hoaster

Sounds like your ceriths survived. Yay! From what I've read, snails are sensitive to water chemistry changes, so that's lucky. You might try moving them to where you want them to clean. Seems like that would work. Remember they multiply, so you may not need more.

Are your grasses getting coated? If so, you may want to manually clean each blade. With your tank, you can probably use two hands-one to hold the plant down/in place, and one to pinch and pull off the coating.

I'd try to leave the sand alone while the live critters in there multiply.

Lookin' good!

Ah thanks

Doesn't look like the grasses are getting anything on them, though I shall clean them off just in case.

nawilson89 · 10/31/2015, 12:11 PM

What a Saturday morning! So quick trip to the other side of town and to the LFSs over there. Got my water tested, and my cycle isn't quite yet finish (this is the longest cycle ive ever had! Guess that's what happens when I don't use as much rock or sand from pre-existing tanks than I used too).

So at the LFS I picked up more pods, gracilaria and halimeda. I let it all acclimate and dropped it in the tank (need to get some more reef rubble to clue them too). Iron and Manganese and Lugol's solution from Kent's Marine came in the mail with my digital thermometer (at a brisk 73 degrees). Waiting for the rest of my macro's to come in the mail... (it's been so long I don't see many survivors in the mix).

Michael Hoaster · 10/31/2015, 12:48 PM

Sounds like you're getting a good selection of plants. I look forward to pics!

Planted tanks aren't as dependent on bacteria, so cycling is less important, at least for the plants. I presume you are cycling so it's safe to add fish, right?

By the way, what are you using to drive the cycle? (something that produces ammonia) Some people use a sturdy fish like a damsel, some just feed the tank fish food, some add a dead shrimp, and some just add ammonia.

nawilson89 · 10/31/2015, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Hoaster

Sounds like you're getting a good selection of plants. I look forward to pics!

Planted tanks aren't as dependent on bacteria, so cycling is less important, at least for the plants. I presume you are cycling so it's safe to add fish, right?

By the way, what are you using to drive the cycle? (something that produces ammonia) Some people use a sturdy fish like a damsel, some just feed the tank fish food, some add a dead shrimp, and some just add ammonia.

Yeah. The cycle is to add fish. My cycle was of two things. First. The live rock, mud and sand had bacteria on it when I started the tank, some if not most of it is prone to die off creating the initial ammonia. I also added fish food to the tank as more of a kicker. Ammonia is actually at zero now, waiting for nitrates and nitrites to lower before it's safe to add my first couple fish.

I got some reef rubble and super glue to get my macro down and stop tumbleweeding across the tank. I also have dirt from the rocks super glued to my fingers (it's gotten annoying really quick).

nawilson89 · 10/31/2015, 12:59 PM

As I gaze upon this tank I can't even understand why more people don't have a macro algae build or a display refugium. I mean this looks amazing to me right now!

Michael Hoaster · 10/31/2015, 01:05 PM

Sweet! Pics?

nawilson89 · 10/31/2015, 01:07 PM

Sure! I'll upload some by the end of the day, but beware they will be somewhat purple

nawilson89 · 10/31/2015, 01:19 PM

This is the FTS.

Caulerpa and Dragon's Breath then some seagrass and behind them more caulerpa with some more Dragon's Breath

The largerst rock. Codium up front. Next to the rock is a large piece of dragons breath with some gracilaria behind it.

Last but not least. The bulk of the gracilaria with halimeda. This area has the least flow and will most likely be where the detritus will build up making my pod factory.

Michael Hoaster · 10/31/2015, 01:30 PM

Awesome!

rfalvey89 · 10/31/2015, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nawilson89

As I gaze upon this tank I can't even understand why more people don't have a macro algae build or a display refugium. I mean this looks amazing to me right now!

...Because it is so tough to find it (HA!)

nawilson89 · 10/31/2015, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rfalvey89

...Because it is so tough to find it (HA!)

Hmm that's true

nawilson89 · 11/01/2015, 09:59 AM

Diatoms are in full bloom. They've now covered 90% of the sand and a good portion of the rock. The 6 cerith snails I have seem to be out competed.

Everywhere I look though I see pods. Pods upon pods. Pods swimming in the water column. Pods on the glass. Pods on the algae.

YES. All according to plan. I need to purchase some amphipods though. All i have are copepods.

10/27/2015, 11:14 AM	#52
saltwater sam Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Grand Forks, North Dakota Posts: 553	I should be. They should sponsor my tank. __________________ It's not too much to brag about if your fish can eat someone else's fish, but if your fish can eat somebody's dog, now thats an accomplishment! Current Tank Info: 40 gallon SW mangrove/macro planted tank

10/27/2015, 01:12 PM	#53
nawilson89 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 481	Well I found someone locally that will sell me some dragons breath. Ok well live-plants.com is local, but this seller is down the street from my job. So going with him first to give me SOMETHING. Then get my order from Ebay by Saturday. With that I'll see where I am and then order from Live-Plants if I need too! __________________ I'm a Goby-maniac! XD Current Tank Info: 29g Macro Algae tank

10/27/2015, 03:05 PM	#54
nawilson89 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 481	Just got home. GUESS WHO HAS A DIATOM BLOOM!!!!!!!!!!!!! __________________ I'm a Goby-maniac! XD Current Tank Info: 29g Macro Algae tank

10/27/2015, 04:40 PM	#55
Michael Hoaster Registered Seaweedist Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 5,807	That's totally normal, and good actually. Cerith snails should be the next resident, IMO. __________________ As many naturalists and environmentalists have suggested, we should set aside our arrogance, our desire to conquer and control everything, and walk hand in hand with Mother Nature. -Walter Adey Current Tank Info: 180g Seagrass Sandbar Lagoon, START DATE November 28, 2018

10/28/2015, 05:37 AM	#57
nawilson89 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 481	Trying to upload pictures, but it keeps failing __________________ I'm a Goby-maniac! XD Current Tank Info: 29g Macro Algae tank

10/28/2015, 10:15 AM	#58
Michael Hoaster Registered Seaweedist Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 5,807	There was a good article I googled about posting pics to RC. You may want to check that out. __________________ As many naturalists and environmentalists have suggested, we should set aside our arrogance, our desire to conquer and control everything, and walk hand in hand with Mother Nature. -Walter Adey Current Tank Info: 180g Seagrass Sandbar Lagoon, START DATE November 28, 2018

10/28/2015, 11:16 AM	#60
nawilson89 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 481	Can you see the diatoms?!?!!? __________________ I'm a Goby-maniac! XD Current Tank Info: 29g Macro Algae tank

10/28/2015, 06:20 PM	#61
nawilson89 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 481	To update. Met up with a local reefer and got some great looking dragon's breath. Stopped at an LFS and picked up some reef rubble, caulerpa prolifera and ceriths. Looks AMAZING compared to before. I love the addition of greens and red to the blue tank. Was acclimating the Ceriths and went to dip the bag in some water just to get them started and dropped the bag... into the water... So Ceriths got a bit of a shock, hope I didn't kill any. A few turned over and haven't moved and one submerged himself in the sand. We'll see tomorrow. __________________ I'm a Goby-maniac! XD Current Tank Info: 29g Macro Algae tank

10/30/2015, 03:22 PM	#62
nawilson89 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 481	Think I'm going to need to go to my LFS and get some more Ceriths... The 6 I have are working hard, but haven't been able to get 80% of the tank. They've worked on one side of the tank since I got them, even though that portion is CLEAN. Also I can't wait to add fish... UGH. __________________ I'm a Goby-maniac! XD Current Tank Info: 29g Macro Algae tank

10/30/2015, 03:46 PM	#63
Michael Hoaster Registered Seaweedist Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 5,807	Sounds like your ceriths survived. Yay! From what I've read, snails are sensitive to water chemistry changes, so that's lucky. You might try moving them to where you want them to clean. Seems like that would work. Remember they multiply, so you may not need more. Are your grasses getting coated? If so, you may want to manually clean each blade. With your tank, you can probably use two hands-one to hold the plant down/in place, and one to pinch and pull off the coating. I'd try to leave the sand alone while the live critters in there multiply. Lookin' good! __________________ As many naturalists and environmentalists have suggested, we should set aside our arrogance, our desire to conquer and control everything, and walk hand in hand with Mother Nature. -Walter Adey Current Tank Info: 180g Seagrass Sandbar Lagoon, START DATE November 28, 2018

10/31/2015, 12:11 PM	#65
nawilson89 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 481	What a Saturday morning! So quick trip to the other side of town and to the LFSs over there. Got my water tested, and my cycle isn't quite yet finish (this is the longest cycle ive ever had! Guess that's what happens when I don't use as much rock or sand from pre-existing tanks than I used too). So at the LFS I picked up more pods, gracilaria and halimeda. I let it all acclimate and dropped it in the tank (need to get some more reef rubble to clue them too). Iron and Manganese and Lugol's solution from Kent's Marine came in the mail with my digital thermometer (at a brisk 73 degrees). Waiting for the rest of my macro's to come in the mail... (it's been so long I don't see many survivors in the mix). __________________ I'm a Goby-maniac! XD Current Tank Info: 29g Macro Algae tank

10/31/2015, 12:48 PM	#66
Michael Hoaster Registered Seaweedist Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 5,807	Sounds like you're getting a good selection of plants. I look forward to pics! Planted tanks aren't as dependent on bacteria, so cycling is less important, at least for the plants. I presume you are cycling so it's safe to add fish, right? By the way, what are you using to drive the cycle? (something that produces ammonia) Some people use a sturdy fish like a damsel, some just feed the tank fish food, some add a dead shrimp, and some just add ammonia. __________________ As many naturalists and environmentalists have suggested, we should set aside our arrogance, our desire to conquer and control everything, and walk hand in hand with Mother Nature. -Walter Adey Current Tank Info: 180g Seagrass Sandbar Lagoon, START DATE November 28, 2018

10/31/2015, 12:59 PM	#68
nawilson89 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 481	As I gaze upon this tank I can't even understand why more people don't have a macro algae build or a display refugium. I mean this looks amazing to me right now! __________________ I'm a Goby-maniac! XD Current Tank Info: 29g Macro Algae tank

10/31/2015, 01:05 PM	#69
Michael Hoaster Registered Seaweedist Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 5,807	Sweet! Pics? __________________ As many naturalists and environmentalists have suggested, we should set aside our arrogance, our desire to conquer and control everything, and walk hand in hand with Mother Nature. -Walter Adey Current Tank Info: 180g Seagrass Sandbar Lagoon, START DATE November 28, 2018

10/31/2015, 01:07 PM	#70
nawilson89 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 481	Sure! I'll upload some by the end of the day, but beware they will be somewhat purple __________________ I'm a Goby-maniac! XD Current Tank Info: 29g Macro Algae tank

10/31/2015, 01:19 PM	#71
nawilson89 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 481	This is the FTS. Caulerpa and Dragon's Breath then some seagrass and behind them more caulerpa with some more Dragon's Breath The largerst rock. Codium up front. Next to the rock is a large piece of dragons breath with some gracilaria behind it. Last but not least. The bulk of the gracilaria with halimeda. This area has the least flow and will most likely be where the detritus will build up making my pod factory. __________________ I'm a Goby-maniac! XD Current Tank Info: 29g Macro Algae tank

10/31/2015, 01:30 PM	#72
Michael Hoaster Registered Seaweedist Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 5,807	Awesome! __________________ As many naturalists and environmentalists have suggested, we should set aside our arrogance, our desire to conquer and control everything, and walk hand in hand with Mother Nature. -Walter Adey Current Tank Info: 180g Seagrass Sandbar Lagoon, START DATE November 28, 2018

11/01/2015, 09:59 AM	#75
nawilson89 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 481	Diatoms are in full bloom. They've now covered 90% of the sand and a good portion of the rock. The 6 cerith snails I have seem to be out competed. Everywhere I look though I see pods. Pods upon pods. Pods swimming in the water column. Pods on the glass. Pods on the algae. YES. All according to plan. I need to purchase some amphipods though. All i have are copepods. __________________ I'm a Goby-maniac! XD Current Tank Info: 29g Macro Algae tank