Journal of my 40 gallon Seagrass Biotope(dial-up beware)

[billsreef]

You can always add a rock bommie in one corner for the fish that need a hiding place

[Samala]

This is very much a sticking point, animal selection. I personally dont see anything wrong with substituting in grass bed animals from across the world that fit the biome. It wont be a perfect biotope but its the closest approximation you can make with what is available.

As for animal choice.. the problem is that grass beds are home to many seasonal inhabitants that use them for juvenile life stage development. Many are not suitable for tank life due to size or temperament, or other setbacks (you wouldnt want a juvenile lemon shark, even if he was biotope appropriate). The list narrows considerably to find year round residents that are also interesting and beautiful tank creatures. Something for all of us to ponder..

>Sarah

[Mark]

I love your tank Bill! I was thinking of doing a small rock island to hide the powerhead and filter. I will have to find some cured stuff though.

Considering that there are no indo-pacific seagrass easily available to us, I agree that mixing up the geography is forgivable. Like you said, Seagrass beds are nurseries for juvenile fish. A lot of these fish out grow my small tank. The exception would be some of the sedentary predators like a scorpionfish or leaf fish. Unfortunately, they don't offer much movement to the tank.

[Samala]

Bill I didnt even see your post! Gorgeous.. gorgeous.. as always. Psst.. throw some stargrass in there.

>Sarah

[Mark]

Some more Anemone/Seagrass pics. They seem to make a good combination for a biotope aquarium:

[Samala]

OOooh I love the last picture.. looks like H. baillonis, H. stipulacae all in one shot. Gee.. is that stargrass I see in there too?? I didnt think that occurred outside of the Caribbean. Hmm. Nice shots of Cymodocea in there too.. cant tell what species for that one.

So.. considering you have so much halide light over this tank, I dont think lighting is a concern for the anemones. I think its a great biotope concept.

>Sarah

[billsreef]

Originally posted by Samala
Bill I didnt even see your post! Gorgeous.. gorgeous.. as always. Psst.. throw some stargrass in there.

>Sarah

That's an old picture from before you sent me the stargrass. It's taking over now

[Seahorsewisprer]

Bill. your tank is very inspiring! Can we get a new pic?

Mark, those pics are wonderful screensavers! Thanks! I love following your tanks progress. Strong work!

[Mark]

Not much to tell today. But I did capture a the tank getting it's daily does of supplemental sunlight:



The halophila is sending new shoots daily, so hopefully one day my tank will be as grown in as Sarah's:

[mogurnda]

This is great to watch. Keep posting.

[Mark]

Thanks Dave, I'll do my best to photodocument my progress and mistakes. Please do the same!

[mogurnda]

Originally posted by Mark
Please do the same!

No problem. Will shoot a few this weekend.