First Biotope, simple Caribbean Lagoon

[ssteven1]

I have had several of the generic reef mix and match tanks and wanted to try my hand at a biotope. I live on the east coast so I wanted to make something a little closer to my home. I started with a used biocube 14. Live rock, several photosynthetic gorgonias and some macro (Halymenia ) and some Platys I think are from the Caribbean.

 

A biotope is harder than I thought. Many things like Platys and the algae are hard to find out where they come from. I have read that Halymenia come from the pacific but I have also heard some types come from the Caribbean. How do I tell the difference.

 

Right now it has

Three different types of Gorgonias

2 blue leg hermit crabs,

Halymenia

A coral banded shrimp.

Some brown/green platys I think are from the caribbean.

 

I plan to have a neon Goby and I am not sure what else. What do you guys think.

The Gorgonias and Algae, Platys are all doing well. I just added the Coral banded shrimp.

 

 

[straydog]

I shop at a store in vero beach florida that buys from a collector that goes to the caribian . He gets in some great stuff rock flower nems, ricordia , different types of gobies, squat lobsters, yellow headed jaw fish to name a few.

[ssteven1]

Update pictures.

[thesmallerthebetter]

Give kpaquatics aka sealifeinc a ring and hell hook you up big time! Best source for carribean livestock ive found

[ssteven1]

7-14 update.

 

Added several Macros. Moved one of the gorgoinas to my 36 gallon bowfront.

 

[Mr. Microscope]

Very cool tank! There's not enough biotopes out there. Thanks for sharing.