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Unread 06/08/2018, 11:34 PM   #1
Michael Hoaster
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Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Boulder, CO
Posts: 5,807
Weeds

Hi. This is a thread about a marine planted aquarium. I'll be modeling an inshore seagrass and macro algae lagoon. If all goes well, it should be an evolution of my previous tank, and hopefully, will improve on it.

"Caribbean Biotope Seagrass Tank": http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2391470

The tank is an acrylic 180 gallon tall, so its 5 and a half feet wide, 24 inches front to back, and 30 inches tall. There is an un-plumbed, coast to coast overflow that I will use as an in-tank refugium, simulating the shallows. It is hidden behind a fake wall.

Fake wall thread: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2403722

There is no sump, but there are two chambers, on the left end of the tank. I've heard them referred to as side sumps. One handles the inflow, the other the outflow, to/from the main pump/closed loop. This end of the tank is going to get a fake wall covering as well, as part of the evolution.

For lighting, I have a single, 400 watt, 6500K, metal halide light, with a spider-light reflector. I also have an LED moonlight.

For additional water movement, I have a Tunze Classic powerhead, hidden inside a fake mangrove root I built.

Fake mangrove root thread: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2393807

Also, I'm adding a Tunze wave box, which will hide behind the new fake wall. So there will be no visible plumbing in the aquarium.

Additional equipment includes a Fluval 306 canister filter that I will modify to accept CO2 injection. This will provide carbon and calcium for the plants. And, with three media trays, I can mix and match media to suit tank needs. Flexible.

There is no controller, no protein skimmer or filtration of any kind. Pretty low tech. My intent is to minimize the man-made stuff, and allow nature to do its thing.


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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
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