Half reef half seagrass tank

jAURE · 11/15/2016, 11:14 PM

Hi,
I would like to know if anyone has tips on starting and maintaining a half reef half seagrass tank.
Thanks!

Michael Hoaster · 11/17/2016, 12:30 PM

First off, it sounds like a cool idea!

You may want to check out the marine plants/macro algae forum. The sticky, "Forum favorites (old helpful posts)" is a good place to start. Samala is the expert on seagrasses. Also, my thread, "Caribbean Biotope Seagrass Tank" has lots of good info in it.

I'd suggest researching the various seagrasses available and deciding which one(s) you want to keep. This will inform your decisions on tank height, sandbed depth, current, etc.

The tricky part will be the balancing act between keeping corals and grasses happy. Corals need low nutrients, plants like high nutrients. However, seagrasses are adapted to low nutrient conditions, so they are a better choice for a reef tank, than say, a nutrient-greedy caulerpa.

I'm just scratching the surface here, but I hope this helps. I'm happy to answer any questions you have. Good luck!

SantaMonica · 11/18/2016, 09:51 PM

Also for aesthetics, you might want to look at the "volcano tank" here on RC.

dmarkham · 12/06/2016, 11:41 AM

There is a fish store in Arlington Texas named True Percula. They have been running a tank almost like the one you are talking about for close to five years. They boast that is a self contained system. No Water Changes, No Dosing, No Sump, and No Skimmer. They might be able to share some info if you call them. I only visit the store once or twice a year. Just thought it might not hurt to share the info. Good Luck with it.

11/15/2016, 11:14 PM	#1
jAURE Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Posts: 1	Half reef half seagrass tank Hi, I would like to know if anyone has tips on starting and maintaining a half reef half seagrass tank. Thanks!

11/17/2016, 12:30 PM	#2
Michael Hoaster Registered Seaweedist Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 5,807	First off, it sounds like a cool idea! You may want to check out the marine plants/macro algae forum. The sticky, "Forum favorites (old helpful posts)" is a good place to start. Samala is the expert on seagrasses. Also, my thread, "Caribbean Biotope Seagrass Tank" has lots of good info in it. I'd suggest researching the various seagrasses available and deciding which one(s) you want to keep. This will inform your decisions on tank height, sandbed depth, current, etc. The tricky part will be the balancing act between keeping corals and grasses happy. Corals need low nutrients, plants like high nutrients. However, seagrasses are adapted to low nutrient conditions, so they are a better choice for a reef tank, than say, a nutrient-greedy caulerpa. I'm just scratching the surface here, but I hope this helps. I'm happy to answer any questions you have. Good luck! __________________ 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

11/18/2016, 09:51 PM	#3
SantaMonica Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Santa Monica, California, USA Posts: 2,511	Also for aesthetics, you might want to look at the "volcano tank" here on RC. __________________ Inventor of the easy-to-DIY upflow scrubber, and also the waterfall scrubber that everyone loves to build: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1424843

12/06/2016, 11:41 AM	#4
dmarkham Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Joshua, TX Posts: 153	There is a fish store in Arlington Texas named True Percula. They have been running a tank almost like the one you are talking about for close to five years. They boast that is a self contained system. No Water Changes, No Dosing, No Sump, and No Skimmer. They might be able to share some info if you call them. I only visit the store once or twice a year. Just thought it might not hurt to share the info. Good Luck with it.