Saltwater noob. Do's and don't...?????

[SammyDee]

Macro algae? Like coraline algae?

[j_wishbone]

something like this..

Im also looking into putting macro algae in the display tank for aesthetics rather than just looking at plain ol rocks... hehe

they are more commonly used in the refugium for filtration purposes!!



http://media.photobucket.com/image/macr ... 022007.jpg

http://z.about.com/d/saltaquarium/1/0/3 ... ef_400.JPG

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2006/4/ ... oAlgae.JPG

[Brandon8521]

I wander if that stuff is hard to keep up with(meaning does it like to grow out of control?) I kinda like the looks of it more then some corals. Its like a underwater grassland really nice looking.

[j_wishbone]

depending on the species.... think some grows crazy and you have to continually harvest

some tanks looks like one big mess and some just looks amazingly nice!!!

[j_wishbone]

or throw in some mangroves....?

[Brandon8521]

In that first picture is that red stuff macro algea also?

[SammyDee]

Yea the red stuff is sharp looking. I mean nice. I'd mix a lil green n red.

[j_wishbone]

i believe so...

[Mek0ng]

I would steer clear of any calupera algae, its is a toxic weed and illegal in many states because of that.

These following genus are great for a 'planted' marine tank:

Halimeda
Haliptilon
Botryocladia
Penicillus
Gracilaria

My personal favorate is Halimeda and other calcifying algae, they will need to be supplemented as such much like corals (calc/alk/mag)

A 'planted' marine tank, on average is going to be harder to care for than a photosynthetic soft coral tank.

Mangroves are going to need to eventually stick out of the tank and grow far to large, they are a tree...

Iodine, really not needed as PPunk said (I hate calling her PP lol). In a tank dominated by soft corals it could be needed, a number of people report great soft coral growth and better color, but this is in a tank DOMINATED by softies... Really dont start with anything you cant test for, (I think we need a reef chemistrey link here, or at least a FAQ) calc/alk/mag. Many people say in a FOWLR you dont need to watch it, ture, if you are only concerned about the fish, but I see many people here want rapid coraline growth so for that it does need to be monitored. Be sparingly with vitamins, as excess can cause algae blooms.

SW snails, I am not aware of any easy to breed SW snail for puffers. FW snails gut packed on enriched nori is a more common practice, if not just shell on shrimp. I found my takifugu gave me a excuse to buy king crab for me more often and share some with my puff.

Hope this helps!

[j_wishbone]

my personal favorate is Halimeda and other calcifying algae, they will need to be supplemented as such much like corals (calc/alk/mag)

what does calcifying algae mean?

the halimeda looks nicer too!!

[Pufferpunk]

Forget about most corals with a GSP. Another reason I don't have mine anymore.

[Mek0ng]

my personal favorate is Halimeda and other calcifying algae, they will need to be supplemented as such much like corals (calc/alk/mag)

what does calcifying algae mean?

the halimeda looks nicer too!!

Algae that has a calcium requires calcium to form its structure. Such as Halimeda and Coraline.

[j_wishbone]

ahh ok

gotcha.....

never had corals before

so what type of supplements will you need?

sorry to hijack thread...

[Pufferpunk]

Start here: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showt ... ?t=1031074

[Mek0ng]

On the topic of do's and don'ts:

Quarantine fish and dip corals to prevent disease and pests.