anyone have a planted salt tank?

[cbashaw]

I just aquired a 29G acrylic tank that I cut down to a 20G (30X12X13) due to a crack in it.

 

I want to do something a little different with this one.

 

I want to grow a few types of macro algaes and keep some inverts in it. I don't want to use any filtration just algae live rock a power head or 2 for flow and a light bio load 1 or 2 small fish at the most and some cleaner shrimp.

 

Has anyone else set up anything like this? If so please post pics and info about your setup.

 

I would think I could light the entire tank with one 55W pc bulb. Would this be enough for growing macro?

Would this type of setup be ok for a pair of seahorses and some pipefish instead of some small fish?

[OUsnakebyte]

Has anyone else set up anything like this? If so please post pics and info about your setup.

 

 

Yeah, Bob and Tamie Dewitt (cowrie) have a window tank like this. I just spent two weeks at their house taking care of their, count 'em, 4 tanks, cat, dog, and partridge in a pear tree while they were on a live aboard in the Solomon's with Bruce Carlson and Charles Delbeek. Yes, hate them. Hate them now...

 

But seriously - they have a tank sitting in their window with a DSB, mangroves, live rock, other macros, and mostly inverts - urchin, brittle stars, hermits. There is also one mandarin. They have a light, but it is just a NO fluorescent - most comes from the window.

 

Anyway, I would talk to them more about their setup...

 

Cheers

Mike

[cbashaw]

Thanks I'll definately look into that. It sounds like what I'm trying to do.

 

That's awesome getting to hang out with Bruce Carlson and Charles Delbeek I wish I could do that.

[traveller7]

I just aquired a 29G acrylic tank that I cut down to a 20G (30X12X13) due to a crack in it.

The height is a limiting factors for all the seahorse, except dwarfs. Should be a mansion for them though if you can keep the food levels up

 

The height is a limit for many of the seagrasses, but some can grow right out the top with a good sand bed.

 

Billsreef has some interesting marine plants from time to time:

http://billsreef.safeshopper.com/28/cat28.htm?908

 

Sounds like an interesting project have fun with it

[Eve]

Jim at Tropical Fish World had a link to the Aquatic Gardeners Association/Society and lots of pics of planted tanks but they've changed their site. Try this one too - see the link to the aquascaping contests. The site is not easy to navigate :-( and they may all be freshwater (?)

 

http://www.aquatic-gardeners.org/

[Jenny]

We have a 65 with several types of macro as nutrient export. No filters, skimmers. I am wanting to be seahorses in it eventually. But you have to go extra super duper slow b/c the skimmer is your backup. Without it any rushing and you could crash it.

Per Anthony Calfo 6500K is the best spectrum for macro to grow. He recommends MH but for the seahorses the heat is a major issue. But if you are doing other small fishes you could probably do it.

Most pipefishes are wild caught and are very difficult to train onto frozen. So you are constantly supplying live food.

As traveller7 said unless you want dwarfs seahorses need more height. But if you want dwarfs you again are dealing with a must have constant supply of live food issue.

 

Good luck!

[flowerseller]

I have about 15-20 mangroves in my frag tank that do really well.

I would be surprised to find that they actually made a noticable difference

other than to simply look and be cool as crap.

Hey, in this hobby, "looks are everything"!

[ChrisS]

I have a 29g seahorse tank that is a mostly planted tank with a few softies. I'll have to get some tank shots sometime. Pics of some of my macros are in my gallery.

 

I would think I could light the entire tank with one 55W pc bulb. Would this be enough for growing macro?

 

I light my tank with PC 65W dual daylight (10K and 6500). The fixture also has 65W actinic but I only use the actinic occasionally. I

[cbashaw]

I signed up on Seahorse.org and as everyone said this is not a good tank for seahorses so I'm going to put a few small fish and some shrimp in it.

 

ChrisS

 

I'm going to build a stand for it then I'll definately let you know when I'm ready for those Macros.

 

Thanks,

Chris