Seagrass tank set up querstions.

[SquidHC]

I am preparing to move to a new house, thus needing to move my tank. Although I have focused on corals in the past, it is my desire to convert my system to support a more unique environment. I still intend to have rock in my tank, but not the giant wall I had before. In place, I want to have a large sand bed with long whispy seagrasses. I plan to host several clams and other interesting inverts. I would still like to have some rocky outcrops, but will be placing zoa colonys and other encrusting corals on them.

I don't have any substantial experience with seagrasses other than what grew in my refugium in the past. I currently plan on running duel 400w MH's to feed my corals, but am concerned about the spectrum for the grasses. I have four VHO's in my hood also, so I could use those to support the grasses. If this would work, what is the best spectrum for me to use. Also, in a 125g tank of this sort, how high/low of a flow pattern would be best suited?

I want to keep a very clean, sparsely planted tank as I'm more a fan of the motion and color of the grasses than I am of my tank looking like a dense jungle. Any suggestions on specific types of plants that I should look into, as well as any other considerations I need to make, is greatly appreciated!

[ashkan@ashkan.b]

would love to see the outcome.

[SMOOTHIE]

If you go for any reds "dragon's tongue" grows quick and easy. Fun setup to keep. Everything on mine stays at 0. Just have to check ca and mag once in awhile. Look into a wave maker or even 2 scwd's since there will not be a crazy amount of flow needed. (alot of stores are carrying real sea grasses at the moment, so your timing is perfect)

[SquidHC]

I think that Im going to go with Eel grass or turtle grass, and possibly some manatee grass. I enjoy the look of long thin blades, not bushy plants. I read that for the turtle grass that I would have to have 4"+ sandbed. Is this correct? Is this consistant for most rooting plants? Also, I was considering using ultra fine sand. Will this be suitable for most burrowing creatures? Its been a while but I kinda remember reading that they liked a medium substrate to build homes. (Things like goby's and such)

[HighlandReefer]

These articles will help with information on the seagrasses:

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

http://www.reefland.com/rho/0305/main3.php

Eel grass is a temperate grass, which will need a lower temperature than you will find in most reef tanks. :)

[SquidHC]

Thank you for the links. They were very helpful. I see that it is recommended to mix some "mud" into your substrate to help provide nutrients to your system. From what I have seen online, this mud is extremely expensive. I clearly cant use it strictly as my substrate. What is a suggested ratio to mix this mud into your sand? I see it available in 1,2, and 3 gallon sizes.

[HighlandReefer]

I have posted this same question myself. I too am in the process of setting up a seagrass/macro tank. From what I understand, you do not need to add the mineral mud if you have an established deep sand bed, say around 6 months old. Some of the articles have suggested using fertilizer spikes near the plants in the sand bed. FWIW, at the price they charge for mineral mud, it makes it prohibitive. :D

[HighlandReefer]

I was planning on buying maybe a few gallons of the mineral mud. I was planning to add the sand all but a few inches and then add a layer of the mineral mud in the area where I plan to plant the seagrass and then cover it with a few inches of sand. I figure the mineral mud would be in the root zone of the seagrass, to help it get started. :)

[SquidHC]

Yeah, that's how I kinda envisioned doing it also. I don't want to over do it because of my intention to sparsely use grasses. And of coarse the cost. However this will be a "new" tank, so I don't have the established sand bed. I'm just going to take it slow. Although this isn't my first tank, I will be cycling it and using all new sand and established rock.

[Beaun]

We have eelgrass locally that i am thinking of collecting. Instead of messing up my sand bed when doing it, i was thinking of collecting the grass and the sand/mud around it, and just plant all that in a small hole. Not sure yet, but good substrate is essential.

[coolwaves]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14348258#post14348258 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SquidHC
I think that Im going to go with Eel grass or turtle grass, and possibly some manatee grass. I enjoy the look of long thin blades, not bushy plants.

If you're planning on collecting eel grass, don't do it in OR without checking with Dept. of Fish and Wildlife-- there is a statewide moratorium on the (at least commercial) harvest of all nearshore plant life, including Zostera sp. Are you planning on setting up a cooler tank? If so, you can collect seagrass in WA with a very inexpensive permit, and it allows you to harvest virtually any kind of invertebrate and some fish species for personal use. In case you'd be interested, there will be an article on seagrasses (including Zostera sp.) in the next issue (vol. 3 no. 1) of Anthony Calfo's "C... The Journal For Aquatic Science." BTW, if you really like the thin blades (and would willing to chill the water) you could easily collect some Phyllospadix sp., a really attractive (though, from my experience, rather difficult to cultivate) sea grass.

[tinyfish]

I have only found one place to get turtle grass and shoal grass.

http://live-plants.com/

Where is a good placeto get the miracle mud and sufficient quantities of sand?

[reeferstace]

You can also get seagrasses here reefcleaners.org