[Cass1]

I'm in the process of setting up a 6x2x2 S.H tank. I want it to be very different from my reef tank in that I want it filled with different algea's rather than LPS/SPS. I'm hoping to create a kind of underwater jungle so that the occupants have plenty of hiding places. I'm thinking of a lagoon with loads of Calaurpra etc
Problem is i havent seen much info on tank set-ups except those with almost bare tanks used for breeding.
Anyone any ideas as to where i can get some nice colourful algeas and maybe some ideas as to flow etc. Its going to have a 250w 14000 MH and probably a 10,000 l/hr return pump. its filtered back into the main reef system with hopefully an added small tank to provide live food.
Other occupants will be very small Gobies,Blennies, shrimps and pipefish.
Does anyone have a similar set-up or has decorative algeas for sale

Cheers

Martin

[chriss]

You probably want to avoid the caulerpa since (a) you've only just got rid of it from you main tank and it will spread ( it'll crash. I'm sure there are some better options or sea grasses.

Chris

[Cass1]

Sorry Chris, bad example. Didnt mean that perticular species. Yeh its the grasses I wanted to use as a base. Was also thinking of more decorative species,possibly red coloured and different shapes

[ben]

ive been following a tank on reef central in which a guy is setting up a mangrove tank. he has attatched some mangrove pods to some bamboo sticks, and stuck the sticks in the sand. after a while the mangrove roots will grow down to the sand, and imo will look fantastic in a few months time.

here
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthre...hreadid=1613916

[Peculiar_Clown]

I Understand TMC get sea grasses in, if this is true, they should be available through most outlets, but probably on order. Other than that I know Simply have them on occasion.

I've used plastic in my tank, this has acted as a home for some red algae.

It's not just caulerpa that can crash, I've had two types of Red crash as well.

Most end up with different types of caulerpa, just because of availability and convenience.

[Cass1]

Thanks for the response.
I've tried a lump of TMC grass last year in a different tank. TBH it didnt do too well and rotted away over a few weeks. I'll try again though as my system is more mature now and it may work.
Thanks Ben. I'll have a look in a minute.
I've got a Mangrove which is growing quite well and has several leaves sprouting. My goal is to purchase a few more and create a small "jungle" covering about a third of the back of the tank.
I'll make some enquiries as regards to different Caulerpa's
Thanks again
Martin

[tommo]

Eelgrass is easy to grow but has two major requirements. Very fine (sugarfine) substrate of at least four inches deep and plenty of light, at least power compacts!

Iodine, iron and all the nutrients are also a good idea along with regular water changes to replenish those less easy to replace. it makes a fantastic display

Tom

[chriss]

Tom, Martin's (Cass1) seahorse tank shares his main reef tank's sump.

What effect, if any, would it have on the other tank? Presumably he will need to keep on top of iodine levels for starters.

Chris

[john h]

hi m8
i may be completely out of the ball park but ...............
ive got alsorts of algea growing in my tank mostly attached to rock some is red and grows in broad leaf clumps and another is kinda like a grape vine i also might have some cheato going spare or have i got it completely wrong
cheers john

[tommo]

Yeah iodine is an issue, iron and pretty much all trace elements, lots of regular water changes

The biggest thing is that fine sand (you can even layer a cheap miracle mud underneath it if you really wanted to give it all a boost)

Best thing to go is establish a good growth of other algaes then regularly harvest them. Once you get into a routine, introduce the grass and let that take up the slack between a harvest

Tom