plants in DT?

[mortis13]

i was looking at a few threads on fuge plants and liked the look of a few grasses and wondered why i dont see them in peoples tanks?
is it because most dont like their looks or do they grow wild or some other reason?

[joeychitwood]

Which specific grasses are you speaking of? Can you link to one of the threads?

[mortis13]

not sure i`ll have to find it, the grass was in a small clump and was a brilliant green. its form similar to lawn grass.

[Michael]

you may be thinking about eel grass, most seahorse species tanks use eel grass and also have pipefish as dither fish, eel grass is good for them as it gives them something to hang on to

[Michael]

heres a picture http://weblog.signonsandiego.com/web...s/eelgrass.jpg

[mortis13]

im still looking!
yes michael very close or maybe its the light but i think they one im after is more fine and bright green.

[abulgin]

If most people are like me, I think it's because once plants, such as macroalgae, take hold in your tank, they can take over the tank and become a real nightmare. I am currently battling crazy feather and grape caulerpa. I never had a piece of it until my tank crashed. Now it's growing on everything. I guess my Kole Tang and Sailfin Tang took care of it while they were alive, but I have only a Yellow Tang now and he doesn't seem to care for it. Anyway, I can't tell you how many hours I spend manually removing it. It really is a pain in the butt. Plus, at least with Caulerpa, there are risks associated with keeping it in your tank--that it will go sexual and foul your tank. For the most part, I say keep plans in your refugium, not in your display.

[mortis13]

yeah, shame though because after looking at corals for so long this bright green clump of grass on white sand looked quite nice was all.

[ladybug5234]

There are macros you can keep in your display. Visit reefcleaners.org. John has some of the best macros, and selection, around.

[mortis13]

good call, thank you very much.

[cloak]

Here's a good article.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-01/sl/index.php

[mortis13]

thanx cloak, as with all things in this hobby- theres no free lunch! spawning! do i risk it? i just thought that a few bright green 'shaving brushes' sticking up between some horizontal disc shaped corals maybe in a vivid orange would look quite nice etc....

[arctictwist]

the other problem with grasses is most people want to keep fish that like to eat it!

[mortis13]

there is that, better looking than a vegie clip though.

[arctictwist]

the rate of growth would never keep up though.

[mortis13]

it will be a no tang zone, but i hear you.

[Sisterlimonpot]

freshwater look runs deep in your veins huh?

[mortis13]

green is good, green is your friend.

[Mike31154]

I don't get too upset over a little hair algae in my display. It can be a pain to keep under control, but it also tends to harbour 'pods which are a prime food source for my Mandarin Dragonet. Most prefer to rely on their sump or fuge to throw pods living in algae clumps into their display, as mentioned, I like to keep some in my display as well. More chance of the pods being alive for the Mandarin to pig out on. Again, it's not pretty and maintenance intensive if it starts to take over, but it does consume nitrates and generally doesn't harm your livestock, unless it's overgrowing your corals of course.

[arctictwist]

i wanted to have a planted area in my 120, until i realised that it really wasnt feasible so i decided to do a planted fuge in the back for my viewing pleasure, and well anyone elses thats actually into it. But i fear im the only one who really cares what the rest looks like in my house. I might do a small freshwater when this project is stable as well.

[mortis13]

i was just a little suprized and impressed by the look of small clumps of grass swayin in da flo as little fishies go driftin by, a good contrast for the corals. if they cant be contained ond want the tank for themselves then its lost its shine, then theres this spawning thing that makes me sad also. what to do, what to do? i did like the shaving brushes and i may try a few, if they get eaten then so be it just a change in diet for awhile. as i want a couple o dwarf angels and a niger trigger they may act as sacrificial decoys and help save a softie or lps even?

[mortis13]

oh yeah i forgot, id love the pods n things to as i will have a DSB. if i had the room id go a display fuge to with crazy critters that would most likely be destroyed or at least live in fear in the main tank. and thats no life for a critter.

[lombard0]

Originally posted by mortis13
i was looking at a few threads on fuge plants and liked the look of a few grasses and wondered why i dont see them in peoples tanks?
is it because most dont like their looks or do they grow wild or some other reason?

I would assume because of additional maintenance (trimming and stuff) associated with it as compared to corals.

Also, keeping seagrass requires a very intense lighting, which for some hobbyists (like me) isn't practical to have.

Oh and one last thing, fish selection would be drastically reduced if macroalga would be part of the main tank.


Cheers!

[mortis13]

the extra maintenance would b a PITA , and so i most likely would get lazy. the tank is 6x2x2 and i have 3x 250w mh at 20000k and 4x 54w t5`s which may be enough but if its gonna be a hassle then i`ll think of other inappropriate things.

cheers all.

[bobbyjeb]

plants like this?