Macro Tank Maintenance?

[SoloChromis]

So Ill be going off to college next year and Ill be taking my tank with me and setting it up again in my new apartment. College life is hectic and as in love with this hobby as I am, I really don't think Ill have the time to be tinkering with things constantly and water changes will be a whole lot less frequent, but of course, being the junkie that I am, I'm determined to keep my tank, while having it thrive. After a little research in how to keep my tank stable, with out much interference from me, I am leaning towards a tank that houses various macro algae to help maintain stability, as well as naturally removing nitrates and phosphates. Ill be keeping the majority of my corals, and adding a few other simpler ones (leathers, gorgonians etc.). All in all, what exactly would I need to keep a macro tank thriving, and what are some species that you would recommend for both aesthetics and nutrient reduction? Looks like Ill be going tang-less for a couple years Here is what I'm thinking of keeping, fish wise :
- 2x Percula Clowns
- Azure Damsel
- Springeri Dottyback
- Tanaka's Pygmy Wrasse
- Zebra Moray Eel
- Striped Fang Blenny
- 5-15x longspine cardinals
- Bleeker's Damsel
- Springeri Damsel
- Starcki Damsel
- Tuxedo Damsel
- Black Cap Basslet
- 2x Ruby Red Dragonets (Eating prepared food)
- Golden Assessor (possibly a pair)
- 2x Radial/White Spotted Pygmy Filefish
- 2x Fathead Sunburst Anthias
- 2x Neon Gobies
- Marine Betta

... Thanks guys

[FinzAquatics]

What size tank would this be? Are you sticking with the 120g?

[SoloChromis]

Originally Posted by FinzAquatics

What size tank would this be? Are you sticking with the 120g?

I may be upgrading to a 125g long or possibly a 150-180g. Just depends on how much space I have in the apartment. The list looks long, but besides the eel, they are all small, low bioload fish.

[Subsea]

That is a pretty big tank to consider in an apartment.

Whatever size, I like simplistic macro lagoons for long term nutrrient recycling methods. Be certain that macroalgae are messy and require good mechanical filtration.
Patrick

[Reefer140]

Hey if the landlord will allow it... Definitely something you want to inform them about before doing.. Talking a couple thousand pounds on someone's floor (after sand n liverock)

I personally downgraded when I moved to college, my landlord at the time maxed me out at 50 gallons which was fine.. It was best anyways.. Gives you more time to be worried about school work and social life.. With everything going on, it would be semi difficult to try n manage a 125 in the process.

[SoloChromis]

After considering the length and width of my current 120g tank, I'm now leaning towards a 92g corner tank, to save room. Only problem is my eel, I really don't want to part with him and he's not getting any smaller

[Subsea]

Using macroalgae in a lagoon type setting is an easy mix to accomplish. However, most reef keepers strive for more sterile conditions using other nutrient management methods requiring powerful skimmers for nutrient export.
Your stocking list reflects a fish only system. A system like that would benefit from filter feeders to utilize the high nutrients associated with a marine fish system.
I have tangs in three seperate lagoon tank biothemes. They graze continually on fast growing feather Caulerpa in the display tank. Depending on individual fish, using a fast growing Caulerpa in display tank provides good nutrient recycling while providing protection from grazers of more ornamental macro algaes. Some good choices for red macroalgae would be Red Grapes or Gravilaria Hayi.
Patrick

[SoloChromis]

Originally Posted by Subsea

Using macroalgae in a lagoon type setting is an easy mix to accomplish. However, most reef keepers strive for more sterile conditions using other nutrient management methods requiring powerful skimmers for nutrient export.
Your stocking list reflects a fish only system. A system like that would benefit from filter feeders to utilize the high nutrients associated with a marine fish system.
I have tangs in three seperate lagoon tank biothemes. They graze continually on fast growing feather Caulerpa in the display tank. Depending on individual fish, using a fast growing Caulerpa in display tank provides good nutrient recycling while providing protection from grazers of more ornamental macro algaes. Some good choices for red macroalgae would be Red Grapes or Gravilaria Hayi.
Patrick

It will be a reef, but no SPS or anything that requires extra attention, just softies, zoas, photosynthetic gorgonians, and then my beloved hammer coral. I plan on keeping several clams (maxima, several derasa) as soon as I can kick these pyramid snails, which should assist in maintaining water quality. Which species of tangs do you keep, and are you saying they will leave the more "exotic" macro alone if you can keep them occupied with caulerpa? I was debating on trying either a purple, lavender or tomini but feared they would destroy the macro algae within a couple days.

[Subsea]

I have a yellow tang and a hippo tang in three seperate tanks. Yes, I occupy their appetite for macro with fast growing Caulerpa Paspoisdies. It works in two of the three tanks. One out of the six tangs will not allow Red Grapes (Botrycladia) in the tank. It really is a hit or miss deal. I had a Hippo Tang for two years in a 75G DT with a Red Grape plant that occupied half the tank. One week end, it decided that Red Grapes was on the menu. No guarantee with tangs but I like them and I can always add more macro from outside growout tanks.
Patrick