Samantha's 47 Gallon Macroalgae DT

First off, pics of the macros (and green star polyps) from Eric (aka Mangoman).

Red Grape (probably my favorite out of all of the macros, even out of the stuff from Live-Plants ):


Maybe Gracilaria Tikvahiae?


Flame Algae:


GSP:


FTS (ignore the ball of chaeto, it was just to lower nitrates cuz I had some HA and cyano creeping up on the LR):


Pics of the stuff from Live-Plants coming soon! They're gonna blow your mind!

Teaser:

Ooooo love the aquascape!

Looks like everything doing good!!


That styrofoam box looks really healthy too!






Now post the pictures already!! We can't possibly wait this long! haha

mangoman wrote:

Ooooo love the aquascape!

Looks like everything doing good!!


That styrofoam box looks really healthy too!

Thanks, Eric!

mangoman wrote:

Now post the pictures already!! We can't possibly wait this long! haha

Okay, okay! Working on the pictures...

Inside the box!!!

MACROS!!!!! (and a Gorgonian!)



I order from Live-Plants.com...

1. Halymenia Sp.
2. Mermaid's Wine Glass
3. Shoal Grass
4. Turtle Grass
5. Manatee Grass
6. Padina
7. Dictoya Sp.
8. Red Gracilaria
9. Purple Sea Rod Gorgonian

Working on uploading some FTS's...

FTS's with just the white LEDs on...






FTS with just the blue LEDs on...




FTS's with all of the LEDs on...

I am soooooo pleased with my order from Live-Plants.com. They obviously care about their products and customers. Their shipping packaging was the best I've ever seen, and their plants all arrived in great condition. Everything looks happy and healthy!!

WOW

Looks like an incredible order!!! Puts everyone elses sizes to shame!! That light at the top of the tank is intense! I could see why you would be having problems..

I've heard that blue/brown scrowl algae can become a pest very quickly, i would keep an eye on it..

Now I want to order from them!

Thanks, Eric!! When you say that scroll algae can become a pest, what do you mean? Does it just grow quick and take over the tank?

And, if you were going to buy macros from anyone, I would definitely recommend Live-Plants. I was so happy with my order that I actually wrote them an e-mail to let them know just how pleased I was. Seriously, though, all of their macros are HUGE (as you can see), and they packaged them so well. Every macro was double or tripled bagged, then newspaper was wrapped around each one, and then they were put in a styrofoam cooler with cooling packs for shipping. That is customer service!!

The tank looks really good, its come such a long way! I can't wait to see some mandarins in there

Thanks, Nicholas! I can't wait to finally add the mandarins! I love the macros, but it's kinda lonely in there without some fish...

That looks so cool! I love the colors!!

What kind of mandarins are you putting in there?

Thanks, Ashley!

I'm not quite sure what kind of mandarins I want yet. I was thinking about trying to keep a pair of green mandarins. However, I like the spotted mandarins, too, so it's a tough call. I read an article in which an aquarist successfully kept different species of mandarins together. Typically mandarins fight, though. I'm going to reread the article because I can't recall some important factors, like what size of an aquarium he kept the mandarins in. Depending on the specifics in the article and the research that I plan to do on mandarins in the next few weeks, it's possible that I might try to keep a pair of green mandarins with one spotted mandarin. I have to do some reading first, though...

I'd do one spotted mandarin if it was my tank (just saying) I'd be scared that there wouldn't be enough food over time.

Only 1?? At the least I want a pair. If I'm super lucky maybe they'll mate!

My aquarium has been up and running for almost 3 months now, so the pod population is booming. Plus, I plan to try to train the mandarins to eat frozen food. I'll probably buy live brine for them as well as a snack.

According to one of the workers at MW he said the spotted were more likely to go for frozen food in comparison to the greens.

Is pairing common for mandarins?

Spotted mandarins do typically eat frozen food more readily than green mandarins.

I've read that pairing is kind of a 50-50 chance. They either attack each other, or become a cute couple...

Good luck with whatever you choose!!!

Thanks

Sam_G wrote:

Only 1?? At the least I want a pair. If I'm super lucky maybe they'll mate!

My aquarium has been up and running for almost 3 months now, so the pod population is booming. Plus, I plan to try to train the mandarins to eat frozen food. I'll probably buy live brine for them as well as a snack.

I have a whole bag of brine shrimp eggs (7million to be exact). They only take 24 hours to hatch and its extremely easy if you wanna give some a shot.. It only cost me $12 for the whole bag off ebay but you can take as much as you need for free!

I might just take you up on that, Eric! What does raising brine shrimp entail?

An upside down water bottle, table salt and a bubbler!

And what do you do with this upside down water bottle, table salt, and bubbler??

Um here's a link: http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/diy_brineshrimp_hatchery.php

probably can explain it better than I can!

Its pretty easy.. if you come over I'll give you more tips in person

Thanks, Eric!