Flora

fishgate · 12/30/2011, 08:31 AM

I am used to Freshwater tanks where there is a lot of plant species to make the tank interesting. What can you do in a saltwater tank? Do corals take the place of plants? Other then algae I mean.

SneakyPete · 12/30/2011, 09:03 AM

I don't know if coral really "takes the place" of plants, they are a little more high maintenance than plants...

as for plants:

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/a...lies.cfm?c=490

There are quite a few types of algae. There are harder calcium rich ones and soft ones that blow in the current, ect. I have Halimeda in my tank and really like it.

seapug · 12/30/2011, 09:25 AM

There are a limited number of true marine "plants" available (sea grasses and mangroves primarily) and they require very deep sandbeds and very strong light, but there are hobbyists who have created some really interesting marine biotopes using them. Google search "planted marine aquarium" and you should see some really good examples.

fishgate · 12/30/2011, 10:04 AM

Thanks! Those are nice - expensive, but nice.

Bluemon · 12/30/2011, 10:42 AM

if you are interested in marine flora, i recommend looking into macroalgae.

although they are not true vascular plants, they are the most diverse group of flora in the ocean and are very beautiful. they come in many colors and shapes.

look into caulerpa, halimeda, gracilaria, botrycladia, ulva, chaeto, dragon's breath, sargassum, and codium.

SushiGirl · 12/30/2011, 12:40 PM

In my tanks, I treat corals as "plants" as far as decorating the tank goes (like decorating with plants in freshwater), so in that manner, they take the place of plants.

I skip macro algaes in the display, as I've had a tank crash from caulerpa previously and they tend to take over the tank. I love them, but I don't want to spend that much time constantly picking them off my corals. They're relegated to my fuge, where I still have to prune them, but at least I don't have to pick them off corals!

12/30/2011, 08:31 AM	#1
fishgate Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Damascus, MD Posts: 3,340	Flora I am used to Freshwater tanks where there is a lot of plant species to make the tank interesting. What can you do in a saltwater tank? Do corals take the place of plants? Other then algae I mean.

12/30/2011, 09:03 AM	#2
SneakyPete I see you Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Northwestern Minnesota Posts: 513	I don't know if coral really "takes the place" of plants, they are a little more high maintenance than plants... as for plants: http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/a...lies.cfm?c=490 There are quite a few types of algae. There are harder calcium rich ones and soft ones that blow in the current, ect. I have Halimeda in my tank and really like it. __________________ 40B in recovery mode Trumpet coral, Kenya tree, unknown Zoa Skunk Cleaner, 2 Ocellaris Clowns, Royal Gramma Current Tank Info: 40B w 29 sump. 50 lbs rock

12/30/2011, 09:25 AM	#3
seapug Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: 4980 ft. Posts: 7,954 Blog Entries: 1	There are a limited number of true marine "plants" available (sea grasses and mangroves primarily) and they require very deep sandbeds and very strong light, but there are hobbyists who have created some really interesting marine biotopes using them. Google search "planted marine aquarium" and you should see some really good examples. __________________ insert clever saying here. Current Tank Info: 200 gallon custom Marineland DD peninsular tank. LPS dominated mixed reef. Previous 90 gallon mixed reef TOTM April 2009.

12/30/2011, 12:40 PM	#6
SushiGirl Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Fort Worth, TX USA Posts: 8,267	In my tanks, I treat corals as "plants" as far as decorating the tank goes (like decorating with plants in freshwater), so in that manner, they take the place of plants. I skip macro algaes in the display, as I've had a tank crash from caulerpa previously and they tend to take over the tank. I love them, but I don't want to spend that much time constantly picking them off my corals. They're relegated to my fuge, where I still have to prune them, but at least I don't have to pick them off corals! __________________ Visit my Homepage or "My Albums" (via Profile) for hitchhiker pics. Current Tank Info: 55g softy/LPS tank & 20L reef tank

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12/30/2011, 10:04 AM	#4
fishgate Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Damascus, MD Posts: 3,340	Thanks! Those are nice - expensive, but nice.

12/30/2011, 10:42 AM	#5
Bluemon Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 902	if you are interested in marine flora, i recommend looking into macroalgae. although they are not true vascular plants, they are the most diverse group of flora in the ocean and are very beautiful. they come in many colors and shapes. look into caulerpa, halimeda, gracilaria, botrycladia, ulva, chaeto, dragon's breath, sargassum, and codium.