Caribbean Biotope Seagrass Tank - Page 136

Subsea · 04/21/2018, 07:20 AM

Enjoying the read.

My vegetable garden has me occupied. All of my systems must run on minimum maintenance during Spring garden.

Michael Hoaster · 04/21/2018, 11:40 AM

Hooray!

Today is the day I commit. I'm going to transfer what I'm keeping to the the HT. This should lead me down the path to draining the tank, allowing me to do the system changes I want to do. It's going to get ugly, before it gets pretty…

vlangel · 04/21/2018, 01:23 PM

Ha! I know how hard it is to take that very first step. Once you start you will be ok.

Subsea · 04/21/2018, 08:15 PM

Banja

McPuff · 04/22/2018, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Hoaster

Hooray!

Today is the day I commit. I'm going to transfer what I'm keeping to the the HT. This should lead me down the path to draining the tank, allowing me to do the system changes I want to do. It's going to get ugly, before it gets pretty…

Honestly, making the decision to rebuild is probably the hardest part. After that it becomes cathartic and the more you get torn down, the better you feel. Once the rebuild begins, it's all excitement. That's how it hits me anyway.

Chasmodes · 04/23/2018, 06:23 AM

Good luck with the transfer of everything to the HT. Just let me know when to start popping the popcorn!

Michael Hoaster · 04/23/2018, 07:16 AM

I got pretty much everything transferred to HT, that I wanted. I haven't yet drained the tank though. I want to make sure I've done everything I need to do with water still in it first. But progress has been made…

vlangel · 04/23/2018, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Hoaster

I got pretty much everything transferred to HT, that I wanted. I haven't yet drained the tank though. I want to make sure I've done everything I need to do with water still in it first. But progress has been made…

Way to go! And I think you are wise to let the dust settle and give the tank another look before draining it.

Michael Hoaster · 04/23/2018, 05:21 PM

Thanks Dawn! That's it exactly. As tempting as it is to drain it, I want to keep my options open for a little while longer. Draining is the next step though! Luckily, I saved my 'black out' paper from my dinoflagellate outbreak. I'll use it to hide the hideousness inside, between work sessions.

Michael Hoaster · 05/08/2018, 06:46 PM

Not much to update. I've been working on some honey-dos around the house. I'm hoping to get something done this weekend, like get the tank drained. If I get that done, I'll be free to do any of several things I need to do.

Despite the lack of action, I'm still quite excited to do this re-do! I have acquired a few new plants that I've been trying to get for a long time, so I'm happy about that. I've also been researching potential fish residents. Without the biotope restrictions, I'm finding the selection much more open. However, I'm still restricted by my insistence to avoid fish that may negatively impact my ecosystem. For example, I was very interested in Allen's Damsel, which is gorgeous and relatively un-aggressive. But researching it revealed it to be a digger/worm eater. Bummer! I have found several fish that I think will do just fine though.

So hang in there folks! I promise to get this going again soon!

Chasmodes · 05/09/2018, 06:33 AM

I'm looking forward to future updates for sure, but I'll be patient

Are you going to start a new thread? At what point would you do that?

Michael Hoaster · 05/09/2018, 08:27 AM

I think I've decided to start a new thread, once I empty it and start the changes. It's at that point that I think it starts being a new tank. Sort of…

eastlake · 05/11/2018, 06:20 AM

Allen's damsels are great, but yes, they are indeed diggers. Though I've only found that behavior to be true to males that are preparing a nest for females, when present. My male didn't start to dig until he and the female reached maturity, at which point he made mounds and pits and piles until he excavated some long buried clam shells which have become their nest, now his digging behavior is just routine clearing some sand away from his shells. Super fun to watch their breeding/courting behavior and the only time that either of them, the male, get ornery is when there are eggs under the shell. I can't speak to the worm eating behavior as both of mine eat flakes and frozen with gusto and I rarely see them hunting about the rocks. Good luck with the re-build, I can't wait to see what the next set up looks like! Perhaps a harem of Cuban gramma should they become more regularly available a reasonable price

Michael Hoaster · 05/11/2018, 07:42 AM

Thanks, eastlake for the info. Good to know. They're gorgeous fish.

The next setup shouldn't be too different, unless I decide to make huge changes, but I don't plan to. The changes will be subtle, mostly to fix a few things that were bugging me. And I'll hopefully have a more informed selection of plants that should grow a little less jungle-y and a little more garden-y. Nothing too orderly but maybe a bit more controlled.

Michael Hoaster · 05/20/2018, 05:18 PM

Progress at last. Tank is drained and most of the sand is out too. Really hideous! My sand/mud substrate looked good. I intend to bring up the dirt percentage next time, for the grasses.

I've been thinking about water movement. With seagrasses and macros, you can really feature water movement. I've been looking at Tunze's wave boxes. I saw one in operation at my LFS and I was impressed. It really resembles the back and forth you see in nature.

Chasmodes · 05/21/2018, 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Hoaster

I've been thinking about water movement. With seagrasses and macros, you can really feature water movement. I've been looking at Tunze's wave boxes. I saw one in operation at my LFS and I was impressed. It really resembles the back and forth you see in nature.

So I guess you'll be making some videos too? The eye candy is great, but now there is motion involved

I was thinking about what your tank might look like with that back and forth movement, like a slice of nature of a mangrove backwater full of life and tidal movement. I can't wait!

McPuff · 05/21/2018, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Hoaster

Progress at last. Tank is drained and most of the sand is out too. Really hideous! My sand/mud substrate looked good. I intend to bring up the dirt percentage next time, for the grasses.

I've been thinking about water movement. With seagrasses and macros, you can really feature water movement. I've been looking at Tunze's wave boxes. I saw one in operation at my LFS and I was impressed. It really resembles the back and forth you see in nature.

The wave boxes are pretty cool... but they are an eyesore. If you can modify your false wall, you may be able to hide it. Then you'd have all the flow you needed.

Michael Hoaster · 05/21/2018, 08:40 AM

Thanks Kevin. I think it would work well and look very natural too!

Agreed McPuff. I'm working on figuring out how to integrate it with the planned fake wall addition to the left end of the tank. The smaller one looks like it would work fairly easily.

Michael Hoaster · 05/21/2018, 04:20 PM

I bagged up the old sand, for another day. I won't be using it for the re-do. I'll use new sand. I've been thinking about what I'd change with the sand-scape. Since I wasn't really all that happy with the plants that grew on the rock surface of the DSB planter, I'm considering burying it basically, so that most of it is hidden. It would still provide needed structure to keep the sand from flattening to one depth. I love what the planter gives me, but it's a bit obtrusive. I want the substrate to look more natural, but also be dynamic and cool-looking.

This sounds like discussion for the new iteration of the tank. Time for the new thread then?

McPuff · 05/22/2018, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Hoaster

I bagged up the old sand, for another day. I won't be using it for the re-do. I'll use new sand. I've been thinking about what I'd change with the sand-scape. Since I wasn't really all that happy with the plants that grew on the rock surface of the DSB planter, I'm considering burying it basically, so that most of it is hidden. It would still provide needed structure to keep the sand from flattening to one depth. I love what the planter gives me, but it's a bit obtrusive. I want the substrate to look more natural, but also be dynamic and cool-looking.

This sounds like discussion for the new iteration of the tank. Time for the new thread then?

Yup, sounds like a new build to me! Link it in here too.

Chasmodes · 05/22/2018, 07:53 AM

I like that approach Michael, basically tweeking a great concept to make it greater!

Chasmodes · 06/12/2018, 06:31 AM

How are things going with your tank, Michael? Inquiring minds want to know...

Michael Hoaster · 06/12/2018, 07:00 AM

Slowly! Check out my new thread, "Weeds".

Chasmodes · 06/12/2018, 07:22 AM

OK, will do. I overlooked it...

Michael Hoaster · 06/12/2018, 07:28 AM

I should have posted on here about it. My bad.

Everyone, I have started a new thread, here in the macro section, called "Weeds".

04/21/2018, 07:20 AM	#3376
Subsea Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Austin, Tx Posts: 1,882	Enjoying the read. My vegetable garden has me occupied. All of my systems must run on minimum maintenance during Spring garden. __________________ Laissez les bons temps rouler, Patrick Castille Current Tank Info: 10,000G. Greenhouse Macro Growout Last edited by Subsea; 04/21/2018 at 08:04 AM.

04/21/2018, 11:40 AM	#3377
Michael Hoaster Registered Seaweedist Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 5,807	Hooray! Today is the day I commit. I'm going to transfer what I'm keeping to the the HT. This should lead me down the path to draining the tank, allowing me to do the system changes I want to do. It's going to get ugly, before it gets pretty… __________________ As many naturalists and environmentalists have suggested, we should set aside our arrogance, our desire to conquer and control everything, and walk hand in hand with Mother Nature. -Walter Adey Current Tank Info: 180g Seagrass Sandbar Lagoon, START DATE November 28, 2018

04/21/2018, 08:15 PM	#3379
Subsea Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Austin, Tx Posts: 1,882	Banja __________________ Laissez les bons temps rouler, Patrick Castille Current Tank Info: 10,000G. Greenhouse Macro Growout

04/23/2018, 06:23 AM	#3381
Chasmodes Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,322	Good luck with the transfer of everything to the HT. Just let me know when to start popping the popcorn! __________________ Blennies Rock! --Kevin Wilson Current Tank Info: 101g 3'X3'X18" Cubish Oyster Reef Blenny tank, 36"X17"X18" sump

04/23/2018, 07:16 AM	#3382
Michael Hoaster Registered Seaweedist Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 5,807	I got pretty much everything transferred to HT, that I wanted. I haven't yet drained the tank though. I want to make sure I've done everything I need to do with water still in it first. But progress has been made… __________________ As many naturalists and environmentalists have suggested, we should set aside our arrogance, our desire to conquer and control everything, and walk hand in hand with Mother Nature. -Walter Adey Current Tank Info: 180g Seagrass Sandbar Lagoon, START DATE November 28, 2018

04/21/2018, 01:23 PM	#3378
vlangel Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 2,409	Ha! I know how hard it is to take that very first step. Once you start you will be ok.

04/23/2018, 05:21 PM	#3384
Michael Hoaster Registered Seaweedist Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 5,807	Thanks Dawn! That's it exactly. As tempting as it is to drain it, I want to keep my options open for a little while longer. Draining is the next step though! Luckily, I saved my 'black out' paper from my dinoflagellate outbreak. I'll use it to hide the hideousness inside, between work sessions. __________________ As many naturalists and environmentalists have suggested, we should set aside our arrogance, our desire to conquer and control everything, and walk hand in hand with Mother Nature. -Walter Adey Current Tank Info: 180g Seagrass Sandbar Lagoon, START DATE November 28, 2018

05/08/2018, 06:46 PM	#3385
Michael Hoaster Registered Seaweedist Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 5,807	Not much to update. I've been working on some honey-dos around the house. I'm hoping to get something done this weekend, like get the tank drained. If I get that done, I'll be free to do any of several things I need to do. Despite the lack of action, I'm still quite excited to do this re-do! I have acquired a few new plants that I've been trying to get for a long time, so I'm happy about that. I've also been researching potential fish residents. Without the biotope restrictions, I'm finding the selection much more open. However, I'm still restricted by my insistence to avoid fish that may negatively impact my ecosystem. For example, I was very interested in Allen's Damsel, which is gorgeous and relatively un-aggressive. But researching it revealed it to be a digger/worm eater. Bummer! I have found several fish that I think will do just fine though. So hang in there folks! I promise to get this going again soon! __________________ As many naturalists and environmentalists have suggested, we should set aside our arrogance, our desire to conquer and control everything, and walk hand in hand with Mother Nature. -Walter Adey Current Tank Info: 180g Seagrass Sandbar Lagoon, START DATE November 28, 2018

05/09/2018, 06:33 AM	#3386
Chasmodes Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,322	I'm looking forward to future updates for sure, but I'll be patient Are you going to start a new thread? At what point would you do that? __________________ Blennies Rock! --Kevin Wilson Current Tank Info: 101g 3'X3'X18" Cubish Oyster Reef Blenny tank, 36"X17"X18" sump

05/09/2018, 08:27 AM	#3387
Michael Hoaster Registered Seaweedist Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 5,807	I think I've decided to start a new thread, once I empty it and start the changes. It's at that point that I think it starts being a new tank. Sort of… __________________ As many naturalists and environmentalists have suggested, we should set aside our arrogance, our desire to conquer and control everything, and walk hand in hand with Mother Nature. -Walter Adey Current Tank Info: 180g Seagrass Sandbar Lagoon, START DATE November 28, 2018

05/11/2018, 06:20 AM	#3388
eastlake Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: willoughby Posts: 648	Allen's damsels are great, but yes, they are indeed diggers. Though I've only found that behavior to be true to males that are preparing a nest for females, when present. My male didn't start to dig until he and the female reached maturity, at which point he made mounds and pits and piles until he excavated some long buried clam shells which have become their nest, now his digging behavior is just routine clearing some sand away from his shells. Super fun to watch their breeding/courting behavior and the only time that either of them, the male, get ornery is when there are eggs under the shell. I can't speak to the worm eating behavior as both of mine eat flakes and frozen with gusto and I rarely see them hunting about the rocks. Good luck with the re-build, I can't wait to see what the next set up looks like! Perhaps a harem of Cuban gramma should they become more regularly available a reasonable price

05/11/2018, 07:42 AM	#3389
Michael Hoaster Registered Seaweedist Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 5,807	Thanks, eastlake for the info. Good to know. They're gorgeous fish. The next setup shouldn't be too different, unless I decide to make huge changes, but I don't plan to. The changes will be subtle, mostly to fix a few things that were bugging me. And I'll hopefully have a more informed selection of plants that should grow a little less jungle-y and a little more garden-y. Nothing too orderly but maybe a bit more controlled. __________________ As many naturalists and environmentalists have suggested, we should set aside our arrogance, our desire to conquer and control everything, and walk hand in hand with Mother Nature. -Walter Adey Current Tank Info: 180g Seagrass Sandbar Lagoon, START DATE November 28, 2018

05/20/2018, 05:18 PM	#3390
Michael Hoaster Registered Seaweedist Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 5,807	Progress at last. Tank is drained and most of the sand is out too. Really hideous! My sand/mud substrate looked good. I intend to bring up the dirt percentage next time, for the grasses. I've been thinking about water movement. With seagrasses and macros, you can really feature water movement. I've been looking at Tunze's wave boxes. I saw one in operation at my LFS and I was impressed. It really resembles the back and forth you see in nature. __________________ As many naturalists and environmentalists have suggested, we should set aside our arrogance, our desire to conquer and control everything, and walk hand in hand with Mother Nature. -Walter Adey Current Tank Info: 180g Seagrass Sandbar Lagoon, START DATE November 28, 2018

05/21/2018, 08:40 AM	#3393
Michael Hoaster Registered Seaweedist Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 5,807	Thanks Kevin. I think it would work well and look very natural too! Agreed McPuff. I'm working on figuring out how to integrate it with the planned fake wall addition to the left end of the tank. The smaller one looks like it would work fairly easily. __________________ As many naturalists and environmentalists have suggested, we should set aside our arrogance, our desire to conquer and control everything, and walk hand in hand with Mother Nature. -Walter Adey Current Tank Info: 180g Seagrass Sandbar Lagoon, START DATE November 28, 2018

05/21/2018, 04:20 PM	#3394
Michael Hoaster Registered Seaweedist Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 5,807	I bagged up the old sand, for another day. I won't be using it for the re-do. I'll use new sand. I've been thinking about what I'd change with the sand-scape. Since I wasn't really all that happy with the plants that grew on the rock surface of the DSB planter, I'm considering burying it basically, so that most of it is hidden. It would still provide needed structure to keep the sand from flattening to one depth. I love what the planter gives me, but it's a bit obtrusive. I want the substrate to look more natural, but also be dynamic and cool-looking. This sounds like discussion for the new iteration of the tank. Time for the new thread then? __________________ As many naturalists and environmentalists have suggested, we should set aside our arrogance, our desire to conquer and control everything, and walk hand in hand with Mother Nature. -Walter Adey Current Tank Info: 180g Seagrass Sandbar Lagoon, START DATE November 28, 2018

05/22/2018, 07:53 AM	#3396
Chasmodes Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,322	I like that approach Michael, basically tweeking a great concept to make it greater! __________________ Blennies Rock! --Kevin Wilson Current Tank Info: 101g 3'X3'X18" Cubish Oyster Reef Blenny tank, 36"X17"X18" sump

06/12/2018, 06:31 AM	#3397
Chasmodes Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,322	How are things going with your tank, Michael? Inquiring minds want to know... __________________ Blennies Rock! --Kevin Wilson Current Tank Info: 101g 3'X3'X18" Cubish Oyster Reef Blenny tank, 36"X17"X18" sump

06/12/2018, 07:00 AM	#3398
Michael Hoaster Registered Seaweedist Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 5,807	Slowly! Check out my new thread, "Weeds". __________________ As many naturalists and environmentalists have suggested, we should set aside our arrogance, our desire to conquer and control everything, and walk hand in hand with Mother Nature. -Walter Adey Current Tank Info: 180g Seagrass Sandbar Lagoon, START DATE November 28, 2018

06/12/2018, 07:22 AM	#3399
Chasmodes Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,322	OK, will do. I overlooked it... __________________ Blennies Rock! --Kevin Wilson Current Tank Info: 101g 3'X3'X18" Cubish Oyster Reef Blenny tank, 36"X17"X18" sump

06/12/2018, 07:28 AM	#3400
Michael Hoaster Registered Seaweedist Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 5,807	I should have posted on here about it. My bad. Everyone, I have started a new thread, here in the macro section, called "Weeds". __________________ As many naturalists and environmentalists have suggested, we should set aside our arrogance, our desire to conquer and control everything, and walk hand in hand with Mother Nature. -Walter Adey Current Tank Info: 180g Seagrass Sandbar Lagoon, START DATE November 28, 2018