[Jadefox]

Today, I launched a series of articles about interconnected, biotope-specific tanks. This is a major DIY project! :-) The first system I will be describing is a 260-gallon+ nearshore Indo-Pacific reef system with 3 connected biotope-specific tanks. It will look something like this:

Overview of the System

The system will be comprised of:

A 135-gallon nearshore shallow reef display tank
A 30-gallon mangrove root biotope tank
A 20-gallon seagrass tank
A 75-gallon FOWLR tank

Because these tanks will be connected, the total water volume will be 260-gallons minus the volume of water displaced by live rock in the display tank and FOWLR tank and the deep sand beds of the mangrove and seagrass tanks. Additional volume will be added to the system by way of a large sump.

The specific biotopes represented by each tank were chosen based on the critical role that biotope plays in the overall health and stability of the display tank’s biotope. In other words, mangrove-fringed shorelines, seagrass beds and open ocean are all individual biotopes intrinsically connected to the coral reef ecosystem. The destruction of the mangroves has an effect on the reef. The disappearance of healthy seagrass beds has an effect on the reef. The pollution of the open ocean, and the resulting harm done to open ocean species, has an effect on the reef.

I'd love to have people here follow along and provide feedback on this forum for future articles. Part 1 of the series can be found at this link:

Biotope-Based Marine Aquaria:
Interconnected Biotope Tanks Improve Overall System Stability

[Jadefox]

Part 2 in the series was just posted. There is also a blog and discussion forum set-up at Suite 101, but I'd also love to see any comments here. I want this to be full of people's input.

Marine Aquarium Biotoping - An Indo-Pacific Nearshore Reef System

[emccullough1]

I defiantly agree that every thing is interconnected. Now I need to start reading the material you have provided. I well get back after what I expect to be a really good read.

[emccullough1]

Well I hate to say it but i think you got the cart before the horse. You are trying to get us to reed something you have not written yet. I did find John Blatchford's article Biotopes and Habitats Marine Aquarium Hobbyists Research Biotope Tanks Interesting. And when you get some more done other then telling me what you are going to wright about. I bet it well be good. I well be back to read more.

[e_baer]

This is basically what I am doing. I have a 40g breeder seagrass tank loopedd into a 55g reef tank and a 20g sump and 20g frag tank. I will most likely make the sump into a mangrove tank since I will not need a skimmer when the seagrass starts to grow a bunch.

[Jadefox]

Originally Posted by emccullough1

Well I hate to say it but i think you got the cart before the horse. You are trying to get us to reed something you have not written yet. I did find John Blatchford's article Biotopes and Habitats Marine Aquarium Hobbyists Research Biotope Tanks Interesting. And when you get some more done other then telling me what you are going to wright about. I bet it well be good. I well be back to read more.

lol...didn't meet to mislead--that's why I said I "I launched a series of articles about interconnected, biotope-specific tanks." The whole series is actually written, but it is being rolled out one part at a time, so John and I can get feedback as we go. That's where this forum comes in--I hope people will comment as we go, and those comments will be reflected in later drafts of the articles. John and I are both keen in really sparking a dialogue at the intersection of science and the hobby, so we want to include the context in addition to the down and dirty DIY. Part 3 does, however, het into some of the down and dirty.

[Jadefox]

Originally Posted by e_baer

This is basically what I am doing. I have a 40g breeder seagrass tank loopedd into a 55g reef tank and a 20g sump and 20g frag tank. I will most likely make the sump into a mangrove tank since I will not need a skimmer when the seagrass starts to grow a bunch.

That sounds awesome. I have not taken my system to skimmerless, but I'm interested in the possibility (although I can't imagine it at the moment). My seagrass tank (shoal grass) is great, and it is a good nurrient cycling mechanism, but not enough to go skimmless. Keep us posted, please.

[e_baer]

You can actually follow the thread here:

Sea grass - Reef Builders Forums

I also plan on having halodule wrightii.

Keep us posted on your build!

[Jadefox]

Originally Posted by e_baer

You can actually follow the thread here:

Sea grass - Reef Builders Forums

I also plan on having halodule wrightii.

Keep us posted on your build!

Nice--where are you getting your seagrass?

[e_baer]

I am not 100% sure yet. I will have to look around and see what has guarentees and whatnot, but most likely from:

<head> <meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1" /> <meta name="keywords" content="red algae, brown algae, nutrient control, clean-up crew, livesand, live sand, mangrove, ecosystem, mineral mud, miricle mud,saltwater pla

or


http://floridapets.tripod.com/marineplants.html (not sure if they will still be selling halodule wrightii though)

[Jadefox]

Florida Pets does a nice job with grass. Their collection techniques and practices are top-notch as far as I've heard. What made you choose halodule wrightii?

[Jadefox]

The next article in the series (Part 3) is up. It is titled:

135-Gallon Reef Tank Set-Up - The Heart of a Biotope-Specific Marine Aquarium System

As always, any and all feedcak would be appreciated.

[emccullough1]

Now you are getting to me. I'm looking forward to the next part. How do you think a fluid bed would work with fresh water tanks? I have thought about trying it on a 55 gal long I have.

[e_baer]

Originally Posted by Jadefox

Florida Pets does a nice job with grass. Their collection techniques and practices are top-notch as far as I've heard. What made you choose halodule wrightii?

After a 5.25" DSB and only 16" tall tank, I would not be able to have grass that grows too tall. From others experience I have heard that the grass will not grow out of the tank like manatee grass or turtle grass will. Graveyardworm is actually the guy who got me hooked onto halodule wrightii.

[Jadefox]

Originally Posted by emccullough1

Now you are getting to me. I'm looking forward to the next part. How do you think a fluid bed would work with fresh water tanks? I have thought about trying it on a 55 gal long I have.

Well I'm off to Florida in the a.m. (as in a few hours) so this will be short for the time being. In terms of a FBF for freshwater, it's all about the ammonia going to nitrates, right? So if freshwater needs biological filtration wherin the growth of nitrifying bacteria is a good thing.... more to come. :-)

[Jadefox]

Originally Posted by e_baer

After a 5.25" DSB and only 16" tall tank, I would not be able to have grass that grows too tall. From others experience I have heard that the grass will not grow out of the tank like manatee grass or turtle grass will. Graveyardworm is actually the guy who got me hooked onto halodule wrightii.

Gotcha. Have you thought about mixing? I have a mixed tank right now.

[e_baer]

The only other grass I would consider is Star grass - Halophila engelmannii.

Doesnt get more than a few inches high and is very unique compared to other grasses. They tend to be a little more delicate so I want to try some halodule wrightii before I move onto anything too advanced.

What mix do you plan on having?

[Jadefox]

Hi! Part 4 in the series is up. It is called: "Plumbing a Saltwater Tank - Connecting the Display Aquarium to the Sump", and it deals with how to install the standpipe and drainpipe in the 135-gallon display tank. John Blatchford's most recent article in the series is "Mangroves and Seagrasses - Reef Fish and Corals are part of a Complex Ecosystem" where he discusses in more detail two of the biotopes that will be replicated in the main system.

Part 3: 135-Gallon Reef Tank Set-Up - The Heart of a Biotope-Specific Marine Aquarium System

Part 2: Marine Aquarium Biotoping - An Indo-Pacific Nearshore Reef System

Part 1: Biotope-Based Marine Aquaria - Interconnected Biotope Tanks Improve Overall System Stability

Your feedback is very much valued and appreciated. Cheers!

[Jadefox]

Originally Posted by e_baer

The only other grass I would consider is Star grass - Halophila engelmannii.

Doesnt get more than a few inches high and is very unique compared to other grasses. They tend to be a little more delicate so I want to try some halodule wrightii before I move onto anything too advanced.

What mix do you plan on having?

I have wanted to try star grass. Right now I have a mix of shoal and manatee. Did I post this link already:

A Biotope-Specific Refugium - Plants Can Add to the Health of Your Saltwater Aquarium

[e_baer]

Thanks for the link. It is really intersting stepping into a whole new area of reefkeeping. I never thought I would get so excited over some plants and a tank.

[Jadefox]

Part 6 of the series was published today. It is called "Replicating Habitat in the Tank - Biotoping Aquarist Look to the Natural Habitat for Instruction". In this article, I wander away from the equipment-focus of the last three articles and suggest that a good way to decide how to configure your return line/outlet(s) is to look at the physical characteristics of the natural ecosystem you are trying to replicate. As such, Part 6 provides some additional background information about the nearshore reef in the western Banda Sea of Hoga Island that the display tank is replicating.

As always, I'd love any and all feedback you might have.