15g Tank

[tinyreefer]

I would like to try a seagrass tank on a small scale.

 

I would also like to do as few water changes as I can.

 

Things I know:

1) I need an established sand bed of at least 4 inches for the type of seagrass I am looking at.

2) I also need a lot of light, which I have. 2 x 65w PC.

3) I have enough flow

 

Things I need to know:

1) With that much light I will need some way to control algae at first. I don't know if I need a skimmer or snails or a sea hare. I don't know if the snails should be disturbing the sand bed with the roots in it.

2) I don't know if I should have Live Rock in there or some other means to filter water.

3) I don't know what kind of critters besides a sea hare that are found in sea grass beds.

[hlander]

3)Seahorses, Pipefish, Crabs, Ghost Shrimp, Peppermint Shrimp

[animalmaster6]

Some filefish take shelter there when they are juveniles.

[jeremai]

most fish shelter in seagrass beds as juveniles, including groupers, tangs, angels, triggers, etc.

 

1. more light does not necessarily mean more algae. I have 2x65w over my 10g and I have no nuisance algae in the display.

2. live rock in the display would be beneficial from a biologic as well as an aesthetic point of view. alternatively, you could add a sump filled with live rock.

3. inspiration: http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-04/sl/index.php

[dshnarw]

more inspiration:

http://habitatnews.nus.edu.sg/news/chekjawa/ria/index.html

[dtfleming]

I had a bunch of turtle and shoal grass. Just be careful with planting them. make a hole to stick the roots into. Dont be surprised if the turtle grass dies and then comes back.

 

You might want to consider putting a small layer of mud down then the sand.

[tinyreefer]

I put in the 3" substrate and I have put on a small HOB filter. I had some substrate already in the tank so I think there are worms in there.

 

From what I read there are rocks and coral interspersed in the sea grass bed. That will be interesting to see if I can work that in.

 

I have studied articles on sea grass including the ones suggested earlier in this topic. The following are some ideas I have for livestock from the articles: (I believe all these will work in a 15g.) Not all together though.

 

Yellow Headed Jawfish - special burrow requirements may be met with "housing".

Pink Streaked Wrasse

Orange Lined Cardinal

Long Spined Cardinal

Neon Goby

Masked Goby

Greenbanded Goby

Red Head Goby

 

Invertebrates:

Nassarius vibex snails

Cerith snails

 

There are of course others but I cannot find some of the suggested crabs and grass shrimp. And I have a bias against sea horses, pipe fish, clowns and anemones. I am not saying they aren't great, I just don't want them.

[dtfleming]

What seagrasses are you planning on keeping?

[tinyreefer]

I will start with shoal grass and see how that goes. I have not put mud in and don't know if I will. It is pretty expensive. I wish there was a cheap alternative.

[tinyreefer]

A picture at last.

 

[tinyreefer]

This picture shows the one turtle grass sprig and the clear mesh top I made.

 

[tinyreefer]

Modified the mesh top for HOB filter.

 

 

Updated picture.

 

[hlander]

What's your current fish list?

[tinyreefer]

I just ordered some shoal grass and a turtle grass. Currently I have a very small wrasse and a pseudochromis keeping the biological stuff going. Not sure if I will transfer these to another tank.

[northstar1357]

How did you construct your mesh top?

[teemee]

How did you construct your mesh top?

 

I was just going to ask the same thing!

[tinyreefer]

Here is instruction on how to make one.

 

http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/diy/51...w-pictures.html

 

And I bought 1/4" Square Clear Polypropylene Mesh from him.

 

http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/drygoo...able-price.html

[tinyreefer]

Freshly planted with shoal grass and turtle grass.

 

 

Next Day:

 

[nano-reefer1]

look like its growing already lol or just perked up