James - Sea Grass Q

[Zeus]

Hi James,

Just to follow on from John's thread out grain size, I have read that the sugar fine sand is ideal for Sea Grasses like Syringodium and Thalassia. Are these grasses available to import/buy or do we just get lucky and get some on Live Rock.

What do you think about using them in a DSB instead of, or in support of, Cheato and Caulerpa?

Campbell

[ROB]

Hi Campbell,

Hope you don't mind me jumping into your thread,

I also am thinking of a DSB mine will occupy an area of approx 15" X 12" ,

any recommendations on depth of sand?,

Many thanks,

Rob.

[Zeus]

Don't mind at all Rob. From what I have found sand depth depends on your main tank size. For tanks up to 75 gallon a 3 inch bed is recommend for NNR and 6 inch or deeper for those over 75 gallon.

Campbell

[ROB]

Don't mind at all Rob. From what I have found sand depth depends on your main tank size. For tanks up to 75 gallon a 3 inch bed is recommend for NNR and 6 inch or deeper for those over 75 gallon.

Campbell

Again many thanks looks like I will be getting my sand bed up and running soon,

One more question if I may, at present I am battling Very high Nitrates would it be wise to set up a DSB or wait until I have started to win the Nitrate battle as the DSB will Cycle will it not ?,


Rob

[Tangman]

Hi Just my thoughts are DSB the same as Plenums when setting up, as Plenums have to be 2 thirds of the tank area ie in a 6x2x2 tank you need a 4x2x2 Plenum base or will any area be ok. Twiggy:D:D

[Zeus]

Hi Just my thoughts are DSB the same as Plenums when setting up, as Plenums have to be 2 thirds of the tank area ie in a 6x2x2 tank you need a 4x2x2 Plenum base or will any area be ok. Twiggy:D:D


That's a good question Eric, I don't recall seeing anything on minimum size of DSB only depth. I'll have to check on that.

Rob, unless I have missed something fundamental here the bed doesn't cycle as you are using sterile sand to start with which will then be colonised. Exactly the same as changing a sponge in a power filter.


Campbell

[Macca]

we can get you all types of sea grass and algaes - about 40 different types. The problem is it is not the best traveller. If you want to try any out then let me know and I will order in January as I have missed the deadline for this month and will be ordering early Jan instead of late Dec.

James

[Timo]

The Thalassia turtle grass is popular in America for being used in sumps. I have never seen any in the UK of sale but i would like some if you can get any.

[Zeus]

we can get you all types of sea grass and algaes - about 40 different types. The problem is it is not the best traveller. If you want to try any out then let me know and I will order in January as I have missed the deadline for this month and will be ordering early Jan instead of late Dec.

James


Thanks James, not sure I'll be ready for it, I am looking at early March to complete the cycle and start stocking. However, if there are 40 species available is there any chance you could post a list of names, with or without prices doesn't matter?

Cheers,
Campbell

[Macca]

from Pacific - Algae and sea grass

Acetabularia calyculus
Actinotrichia fragilis
Amansia glumerata
Amphiroa foliacea
Boergesenia forbesii
Bornetella sp.
Caulerpa racemosa
Caulerpa serrulata
Codium sp.
Cymodocea serrulata
Dictyota sp.
Enhalus acoroides
Galaxaura marginata
Galaxaura sp.
Halimeda capiosa
Halimeda incrassata
Halimeda macroloba
Halophila ovalis
Kappaphycus alvarezii
Lithothamnion prolifer
Mastophora rosea
Neomeris annulata
Padina gymnospora
Peyssonnellia sp.
Sargassum sp.
Syringodium isoetifolium
Turbinaria sp.
Udotea sp.
Ulva lactuca
Valonia aegagropila
Ventricaria ventricosa

James

[johnl69]

Hi Just my thoughts are DSB the same as Plenums when setting up, as Plenums have to be 2 thirds of the tank area ie in a 6x2x2 tank you need a 4x2x2 Plenum base or will any area be ok. Twiggy:D:D

I read the same about DSB when I first set mine up thats why I built a 6 foot sump the problem I found was that the first 2 foot of the DSB was fine but the last 2 foot kept getting black spots in them (Hydrogen sulfide) I think this was due to the flow being reduced by the caulerpa in the first half of the sump, IMO the area needed is relative to the bio load not the tank size:D

[grumpy_banghai]

I would like to try & get my main tank decked out with sea grasses, I think it looks brill. Then maybe chuck some Tonga branch in. Macca try & get me some please ? :)

[Macca]

Just seen this, I have sent our collector an email, hopefully he will add

Enhalus acoroides
Cymodocea serrulata
Syringodium isoetifolium
Halophila ovalis


to my order. Arrives on the 5th June if successful. ;)

[grumpy_banghai]

This is good news.

[daveabbott007]

from Pacific - Algae and sea grass

Acetabularia calyculus
Actinotrichia fragilis
Amansia glumerata
Amphiroa foliacea
Boergesenia forbesii
Bornetella sp.
Caulerpa racemosa
Caulerpa serrulata
Codium sp.
Cymodocea serrulata
Dictyota sp.
Enhalus acoroides
Galaxaura marginata
Galaxaura sp.
Halimeda capiosa
Halimeda incrassata
Halimeda macroloba
Halophila ovalis
Kappaphycus alvarezii
Lithothamnion prolifer
Mastophora rosea
Neomeris annulata
Padina gymnospora
Peyssonnellia sp.
Sargassum sp.
Syringodium isoetifolium
Turbinaria sp.
Udotea sp.
Ulva lactuca
Valonia aegagropila
Ventricaria ventricosa

James

James, is this still the case?

[PmRg]

Hello James... old thread... but anyway.... can you still get this types of algae... I'm interested in some of them... to order in January...!

[Macca]

yes but I will be honest I have never managed to keep them alive more than 3 weeks. I think most require mud beds to thrive.

[PmRg]

ok cool :D I'll get back to you in January... :D

[Macca]

Please get in touch around the 28th as that when I will place the order.