Pearls Of The Antilles... Llj's Planted Marine

[Donya]

Yes, I imagine with a macro algae system, I'm going to have really work on the balance game, & have my arsenal of chemicals ready just in case. What were you noticing in your tanks, Donya?

Bunch of strange molting problems and coral decline issues that I had never run into before - I will get my act together soon and get my 55gal journal updated with those events. I don't have any proof positive of the Iodide correlation with the molts just yet (I need someone to molt again), but some of the corals showed an immediate response.

Still having a bear of a time selecting a stupid crab. The scarlet hermits I think are a go, though in limited numbers, but that centerpiece crab is a pain.

Were you meaning a true crab of some sort? If so, aside from a few Mithracids, they are unfortunately very good at being a pain lol. Shimp are much easier to manage compatibility-wise, particularly with hermits involved.

 

[lljdma06]

Yes, I imagine with a macro algae system, I'm going to have really work on the balance game, & have my arsenal of chemicals ready just in case. What were you noticing in your tanks, Donya?

Bunch of strange molting problems and coral decline issues that I had never run into before - I will get my act together soon and get my 55gal journal updated with those events. I don't have any proof positive of the Iodide correlation with the molts just yet (I need someone to molt again), but some of the corals showed an immediate response.

It's like watching a pot boil, isn't it? I'm very curious about the update. Will check your thread with interest.

Still having a bear of a time selecting a stupid crab. The scarlet hermits I think are a go, though in limited numbers, but that centerpiece crab is a pain.

Were you meaning a true crab of some sort? If so, aside from a few Mithracids, they are unfortunately very good at being a pain lol. Shimp are much easier to manage compatibility-wise, particularly with hermits involved.

Yep, meaning a true crab of some sorts. When I do the revised list, I'll list all the crabs I'm considering and their pros & cons. I've heard good and bad about all the species I'm considering. Methinks my quarantine will turn into a crab tank. On the positive, most of the crabs I'm considering are available in my favorite lfs. Which means, if they don't work, they go back. Shrimp are much easier, that was the easiest part of the stock list. Automatically knew which shrimp I wanted.

Thanks for your imput, Donya.

 

[ChilliPepper]

This is going to look so good, as you have such an eye for detail and do a lot of research I too, enjoy research

OK, you convinced me, I'm gonna start a journal on here too

 

[lljdma06]

This is going to look so good, as you have such an eye for detail and do a lot of research I too, enjoy research

OK, you convinced me, I'm gonna start a journal on here too

Yay! Besides we keep journals together in Planted, why not keep journals together in Marine? I'm looking forward to this, ChilliPepper! Awesome.

I hope it turns out well. I feel like a bio major, I've done so much reading.

llj

 

[ChilliPepper]

Took me ages to write it all out and post links to pics but will keep it updated it's good to get as many opinions as possible, but can be confusing at times.

I love the chalk bass you plan on keeping. Saw some in a LFS and thought they were lovely

Are you going to go for mangroves as well, or just algaes and a few corals?

 

[lljdma06]

Took me ages to write it all out and post links to pics but will keep it updated it's good to get as many opinions as possible, but can be confusing at times.

I love the chalk bass you plan on keeping. Saw some in a LFS and thought they were lovely

Are you going to go for mangroves as well, or just algaes and a few corals?

Algaes and seagrasses... No mangroves, tanks too small and it's got a cover.

The chalk bass are a delite. I figured a school of 5, but I also found a species of Caribbean Cardinal fish. Lovely. Must be kept 1 to a tank, but gets a long with other species. It may eat delicate shrimp, so I have to be careful. Have to do more reading. But chalk bass with one of these, could be really sweet.

Apogon maculatus

 

[ALW]

There are other Cardinals to choose from:

Apogon affinis
Apogon lachneri
Apogon townsendi

And i still think you should consider a Cherub

 

[lljdma06]

There are other Cardinals to choose from:

Apogon affinis
Apogon lachneri
Apogon townsendi

And i still think you should consider a Cherub

All these Apogons are similar in makeup and temperament. Hahaha, looked them all up already. It's certainly an option. As is the cherub angel, but the chalk bass must be the focal point fish. I guess I could do...

4 chalk bass
1 Apogon
1 cherub

Or

5 chalk bass
1 cherub - I'm just concerned that a cherub will eat my corals and macro algae... Hmmmm... We don't want that, now do we?

At any rate, it's a lovely, unusual stock list. I love the color play and the activity level. I'll have to think about it. A species tank of just chalk bass is also very attractive.

 

[ALW]

There are other Cardinals to choose from:

Apogon affinis
Apogon lachneri
Apogon townsendi

And i still think you should consider a Cherub

All these Apogons are similar in makeup and temperament. Hahaha, looked them all up already. It's certainly an option. As is the cherub angel, but the chalk bass must be the focal point fish. I guess I could do...

4 chalk bass
1 Apogon
1 cherub

Or

5 chalk bass
1 cherub - I'm just concerned that a cherub will eat my corals and macro algae... Hmmmm... We don't want that, now do we?

At any rate, it's a lovely, unusual stock list. I love the color play and the activity level. I'll have to think about it. A species tank of just chalk bass is also very attractive.

I think as long as the Cherub is well fed, ie 3 times a day then it should leave your Algae and Corals alone. I like the ideas of this:

4 Serranus tortugarum
1 Apogon lachneri
1 Centropyge argi

Its a real contrast of colours.

 

[ChilliPepper]

I haven't seen that many people do species only tanks in marine, nor planted, so if you did both it really would be special

I think they are quite sensitive and delicate, but Seahorses would love the kind of setup you're going to have.

 

[lljdma06]

I haven't seen that many people do species only tanks in marine, nor planted, so if you did both it really would be special

That was the initial plan. Just chalk bass, and I'm still really into that type of setup. The coral and macro choices will also be limited.

I think they are quite sensitive and delicate, but Seahorses would love the kind of setup you're going to have.

Was never a huge fan of seahorses. Sorry...

Order the following from Marine depot...

2 30lb bags of Aragamax sugar sand by Caribsea. It was about a 50/50 split between the standard Aragonite reef grade and the sugar-sized sand. Both are ok.

1 big ol' tub of Red sea Coral pro salt mix...

And one more item...

But that's for another thread.

 

[ChilliPepper]

I don't particularly like them either, far too whoosy looking for my taste

 

[demasonisrule]

I've never kept a cherub angel, but my coral beauty (same genus) doesn't pick at corals for the most part, but devours macro, despite feeding daily. However, if your tank is filled with algae, a few nibbled leaves shouldn't matter, right

 

[lljdma06]

I've never kept a cherub angel, but my coral beauty (same genus) doesn't pick at corals for the most part, but devours macro, despite feeding daily. However, if your tank is filled with algae, a few nibbled leaves shouldn't matter, right

lol... The tank is potentially going to be entered in some planted tank competitions, so no, don't really want an angel messing around eating my scape. Don't get me wrong, I think that angelfish is absolutely beautiful. Hmmm, what I may do is after the tank's competition shoot, invest in the angel. It would be the last fish introduced anyway.

So an updated stock list...

Fish

Serranus tortugarum - Chalk bass, a shoal of 5.
A member of the genus Apogon (either lachneri or maculatus)

When the photo shoot is done perhaps... Centropyge argi

So six fish total, but may have 5 chalk bass initially then trade one in for the angel when the time comes.

Sessile inverts

Corallimorphs -

Ricordea florida
Discosoma sanctithomae
Discosoma neglecta

Motile inverts

Cleaner shrimp
Lysmata grabhami
Lysmata wurdemanni


Snails
Turbo sp
Trochus sp.
Ceriths sp.
Cittarium pica - possibly, need to keep my tank at around 76. That's the home temp now.


Sea slugs
Elysia crispata (needs algae Bryopsis, Derbesia, and possibley Halimeda, advanced species)- May add this after the competition shoot.

Macro algae & Vascular Plants

Macro algae - If it's marked in bold, it's heavily favored for the scape. I do have to take into account availability, though. I prefer green and brown with a focal point of a red species.

Halimeda sp
Halimeda discoidea
Halimeda opuntia - I prefer the look of this species.

Chondria sp.

Gelidium Sp

Ochtodes sp

Dictyota sp

Sea grass -

Halodule wrightii

The problem section.... The crabs. Still struggling to find a centerpiece crab from the Caribbean.

Crabs - I'm just going to list a bunch of them. Crabs are hit and miss, I know.

Mithrax sculptus - Potentially problematic with the macro algae. Potentially predatory... Bleh...
Majidae species - decorator crabs. Was told that the smaller Caribbean species may be cool, but the lit says "not reef safe" I tend to believe the lit..
Stenorhynchus seticornis - Arrowline crabs, kill bristleworms (bw can devistate macro tanks, so maybe I want this), can also be agressive. bleh... Crabs are so crabby. I've seen them in a bunch of macro scapes, though.
Petrolisthes sp. - Porcelain crabs - the most peaceful of the group. Can have a small group of these. Chalk bass may pick on them.
Clibanarius tricolor - Blue legged hermit - I can't mix hermit species, I know, so I thought I'd list them all again.
Paguristes cadenati - Scarlet hermit crab

I have a feeling my quarantine is going to turn into a crab tank.

The crabs, shrimp, and snails, comprise my CUC, so I've got to sort that out. Lord knows what I'll get in my LR. I'm not optimistic about that.

Thanks for looking.

 

[ALW]

How big again is the tank? Arrow crabs need at least 75g, Majidae's grow quite big too.