dshnarw BIOTOPE

[dshnarw]

:happydance: omgomgomg :happydance:

 

Now at my 2000th post on this site, it is about time I started a tank thread (or so I’ve been told by several of you). And with proper timing, I have completed an upgrade from a 15g with a 10g sump that has been overflowing with corals and anemones to a 30g breeder with a 15g sump. This tank is my attempt to recreate an “enhanced” natural habitat of the mini carpet anemone, Stichodactyla tapetum, according to pictures, video, and descriptions of the lagoons and reefs of Singapore. That’s right – full-blown mini carpet biotope! Because this is a biotope, I think the only fitting way to introduce the tank is to (as briefly as possible) explain my “research” into the various habitats and critters that live there. Sorry to those who can’t stand long-winded posts, but the first few are necessary to explain this tank, and you can always scroll through the pics.

 

Since the mini carpet needs little introduction around here, I will simply link you to other threads posted on this site concerning their care and propagation:

 

http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?...&hl=tapetum

http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?...&hl=tapetum

http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?...&hl=tapetum

http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?...&hl=tapetum

 

Its habitat, however, may need some explanation. Typical habitat for carpet anemones, including S. tapetum, is reef rubble and seagrass lagoon. The best way to explain this area is simply by posting pictures – these are pictures from Singapore taken from blogs and park/preservation site websites:

 

This is a tank from a park in Singapore, showing the progression of habitats from the shoreline:

 

 

Closer up, small patches of corals are found:

 

Zoanthids:

 

Encrusting gorgonian:

 

Mushrooms:

 

Brain corals:

 

Acropora:

 

Plates:

 

There are, of course, many more species found in these areas, including Montipora, Porites, Leathers, and Carnation corals, along with several species of Gorgonian. My intention is to replicate the species found as accurately as possible – to genus or species level when I can.

 

Finally (for this post), there are the anemones. Clown-hosting species include E. quadricolor (bubble-tip), Heteractis, and the clown-hosting Stichodactyla species. Others include the tube anemones, “swimming anemones” (Boloceroides), Phymanthus, several small and unidentified species, and S. tapetum:

 

Mini carpets:

 

Clown-hosting carpets:

 

Websites, articles and blogs used to research Singapore lagoonal environments and S. tapetum:

 

http://whelk.aims.gov.au/coralsearch/coralid_search.php

http://wondercreation.blogspot.com/

http://books.google.com/books?id=9owfyLxzq...GbVkcnw4G03qr0Y

http://cjproject.blogspot.com/

http://chekjawa.nus.edu.sg/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chek_Jawa

http://chimck.tripod.com/chekjawa/

http://coralreef.nus.edu.sg/

http://iyor08singapore.blogspot.com/

http://wildfilms.blogspot.com/

http://ashira.blogspot.com/

(WARNING: this one is very large!!) http://www.nhm.ku.edu/inverts/pdf/Dunn_1981.pdf

 

Dikou, A. and R. van Woesik (2006). Survival under chronic stress from sediment load: Spatial patterns of hard coral communities in the southern islands of Singapore. Marine Pollution Bulletin, v. 52, pp. 7-21.

 

 

 

UPCOMING: fish, inverts, and THE BUILD!

[dtfleming]

cool, now I know why you were looking for the sea grass.

[Falcon_Punch]

Wow,That is an awsome setup! I thought about doing something like that with my empty 55g. Can't wait to see how it turns out!

[seahorsejl]

 

At first, I thought you were going to say this was your tank!

 

I like all of the research and planning ... can't wait to see the tank.

[$aint]

I like all of the research and planning ... can't wait to see the tank.

 

+1!

[HeyLookItsCaps]

i wanna build a tank like that, a shallow side and a deep end, and see where the corals go! man thats got me thinking......

[klarion]

Thanks for visiting my thread and your complements.

Now I'm curious about your concept set up. Where are you in the process? How soon will you post pics of your setup?

[AdriftQuasar]

I think this turn out to be the coolest tank ever. Biotopes always make good projects from what I've seen. Keep us informed on your progress. This is exciting.

[arwndsh]

At first, I thought you were going to say this was your tank!

 

I wish that was our tank, but alas technically we aren't supposed to have a tank larger than 15g (what they don't know wont hurt them) His setup is pretty nice though, well at least I think so .

[Weetabix7]

YAY!!

HE DID IT, HE FINALLY DID IT!!!

 

 

I have my contribution to your biotope ready.

We need more PICS!!!

(Of the tank, preferably! )

[dshnarw]

Thanks everyone! This has been my nano "dream" tank for some time, so hopefully it turns out as nice as I imagine.

cool, now I know why you were looking for the sea grass.

That would be it! Unfortunately, still striking out in that area. (Anyone with seagrass?? I need some!!!)

Thanks for visiting my thread and your complements.Now I'm curious about your concept set up. Where are you in the process? How soon will you post pics of your setup?

The tank is built and running with livestock in it but I'm still moving things around, stirring up a lot of dust from the ridiculous amount of sand it's taken. Will have pics once the dust settles out and everything looks happy. Figured it would take a couple of days to get all the background info and tank build posted, and should have the pics ready by then.

YAY!!HE DID IT, HE FINALLY DID IT!!! I have my contribution to your biotope ready. We need more PICS!!!(Of the tank, preferably! )

did you see the encrusting gorg pic? Looks similar to yours, I think.

[p-daddy]

I love the idea of any biotope tank, to me they are the most fascinating, but the research and planning involved is ridiculous. It looks like you already have several years of a jump start on the research though

 

I'm gonna follow this one for a while, I will probably learn a good but, plus this looks awesome.

 

Best of luck!!!

[Caesar777]

Interesting research. I'll be tagging along bc I've loved your reef-related posts!

[H7brandi]

Finally....I can't wait to see pics!!!

[Duncan]

Very cool!

[Toomin]

This thread is really interesting.

But but, as a singaporean, I myself have not gone to the park!

I wonder where isit.

[dshnarw]

I love the idea of any biotope tank, to me they are the most fascinating, but the research and planning involved is ridiculous. It looks like you already have several years of a jump start on the research though

 

I'm gonna follow this one for a while, I will probably learn a good but, plus this looks awesome.

 

Best of luck!!!

 

not quite years (unless general aquarium research counts), but a good 4 months of reading blogs and attempting to find scientific articles (exceedingly rare for Singapore, and even moreso for S. tapetum). But, 'tis the life of a scientist, or at least a grad student.

 

Interesting research. I'll be tagging along bc I've loved your reef-related posts!

 

Thank you!

 

This thread is really interesting.

But but, as a singaporean, I myself have not gone to the park!

I wonder where isit.

 

If you ever make it out there, please post some pics for me! Anything I can get helps!

 

A perfect prelude for: location! Most of my information has come from Chek Jawa, a national park in Singapore. Most of the blogs center on this island, as the purpose of the bloggers is to protect the national park from encroaching development which threatened to kill the lagoon and reef at the site. Because of their efforts (they were even featured on CNN Singapore) and the research of scientists, the park was created, cleaned, and walkways were built through the tidal areas for visitors to see the wildlife up close. Changi and Pulau Tekong also have research efforts, and some blogs cover these areas as well.

 

Singapore:

 

Pulau Ubin, Chek Jawa is at the far right:

[SPerry]

Now here is a unique concept, a tank build thread the doesn't actually have the tank in it.

 

Really sounds cool, cant wait to see the pics.

[dshnarw]

Now here is a unique concept, a tank build thread the doesn't actually have the tank in it.

 

Really sounds cool, cant wait to see the pics.

 

 

just hyping it up before you're all disappointed by the tank

[BibleSue]

We know the tank is far from mature! How can we follow along without pictures? Great idea!

 

When we go to the cabin in Maine this summer, I might be able to get you some sea grass. One of the ladies (90+) pulls it out where it is taking over her beach area. If she already has it pulled up, is it against the law if I rescue it from death?

[Professor]

Awesome concept and an amazing amount of research. Can't wait to see the tank.

 

BTW, Where in MD/DC are you? I have a macro that is very sea grass-like. I have no idea what it is, looks similar to a short turtle grass. Grows via runner and grows fast. Let me know if you are interested. I am in Maryland too.

 

-Prof

[Weetabix7]

Awesome concept and an amazing amount of research. Can't wait to see the tank.

 

BTW, Where in MD/DC are you? I have a macro that is very sea grass-like. I have no idea what it is, looks similar to a short turtle grass. Grows via runner and grows fast. Let me know if you are interested. I am in Maryland too.

 

-Prof

 

I give 5 mins at the most before you get a PM from him!

[Professor]

I give 5 mins at the most before you get a PM from him!

 

Funny! I think his five minutes are up though!!! We will have to see.....

 

If I was a little more computer saavy (which is why I do not have a tank thread), I would post some pictures of the stuff.

 

-Prof

[FishNemo1]

cool!

[arwndsh]

Funny! I think his five minutes are up though!!! We will have to see.....

 

If I was a little more computer saavy (which is why I do not have a tank thread), I would post some pictures of the stuff.

 

-Prof

 

He would have except I took his computer away from him for awhile. I had some work to do on the valentine frag swap thread. You ought to consider participating, everyone seemed to enjoy it last time.