40g Long Naturally lit macro-algae tank

[daveyy]

Thanks . I went there 2 weeks ago didnt see them. Maybe i miss it. Haha.

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[CKS]

Finally having better luck re-planting the Ochtodes and C.Prolifera into the display tank. The C.Prolifera usually got wipe out within 2-3 days, and have been in the DT for over 3 weeks now. A cluster of them in the high-flow zone sitting high up on the rockwork. Thank you Henry (MarineLife) for the seed supply of C.Prolifera

Also shown in this photo is a brown hitch-hiker macroalgae (Lobophora?)

 

Another cluster of the C.Prolifera are on the sandbed protected by eggcrate, they've started to take root too

 

Photo of the Ochtodes taken on 10-Jan-2016. They were congesting the overflow Half of them were transferred to the display tank now.

The FTS to come maybe in a week time when the C.Prolifera are more established. Ending this post with a photo of hitch hiker banded marine worm

Edited February 11, 2016 by CKS

[CKS]

Finally took the time to clean-up the coralline covering the front of the tank and now i've a clearer FTS of the 40g salad platter

The Ochtodes are back! They received the most flow and are attached firmly to the rocks.

 

I've also gone without skimmer for about 3 months. It occupied too much space in the sump, and i prefer to grow more macros with that space. The ATS is on the right side.

Powering the sump is 18W 660nm LED. It is typically positioned so that the ATS receives 50% of the energy.

[pcw]

Super nice!

[Angel Keeper]

Can you share a pic of your 660nm LED as well as prove and place of purchase?

[CKS]

Thanks PCW!

Angel Keeper: i dont have proper photos of the LED in the makeshift rainproof enclosure if that is what you mean?
I've gotten them from http://www.ebay.com/itm/221923629116

It is the same red LED used by some of the reefers here for ATS

[Angel Keeper]

So you DIY the heat sink and the soldering?

[CKS]

So you DIY the heat sink and the soldering?

Hi Angel Keeper, I didnt have any heatsink on it even if it is running 24/7. Would u recommend it?

Also don't remember needing to solder or i simply forgotten if i did it, lots of things from the ATO to light setup and 'hood' were DIY-ed

[Angel Keeper]

Solid!!! *clap clap clap*

[CKS]

hahaha thank you The aim is for this setup to be as fuss free and maintenance free as possible.

Here are some photos of the fishes & inverts the system is currently supporting

[Harlequinmania]

Are those purple algae? Where did you get those ?

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[CKS]

Are those purple algae? Where did you get those ?

 

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Hi Harlequinmania, I believe those are the Blue Ochtodes. It has been a like riding on a rollarcoaster growing them, there were reduced to just one palm sized a while ago, glad they made it back Gotten them from Henry/MarineLife sometimes in mid-2015

[Sharan Guna]

hahaha thank you The aim is for this setup to be as fuss free and maintenance free as possible.

Here are some photos of the fishes & inverts the system is currently supporting

The tank is looking amazing bro. And that tigertail!!! She looks like she has grown quite abit since you got her! I would understand why too. Your tank must be like the Shangri-la for seahorses! Congrats on your amazing success bro. 

Edited February 25, 2016 by Sharan Guna

[CKS]

THanks Sharan Guna!

It also helps when they're farm bred and feed on easily available frozen mysis

[monkeysee]

Didn't knew a Marine planted tank can be so nice ..

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[CKS]

Thank you

Didn't knew a Marine planted tank can be so nice ..

 

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[CKS]

Status of the tank as of 14-Mar 2016

The C.Prolifera in the display tank got wipe out again, something is feeding on them and they are not growing fast enough to sustain. However, the Ochtodes and the hitch-hiker brown algae exploded in size. The changes can be quite dramatic. It is also fast becoming aiptasia heaven due to how much i've been feeding. Please let me know if you have peppermint shrimp to let go

 

Also new is the rose petal algae acquired from T95 long ago which i've been incubating in the sump. It was just a little red 'leaf' when i gotten it.

 

 

Edited March 14, 2016 by CKS

[Admiraltian]

Wow, that's a lot of ochtodes!!

[JMW]

Awesome growth & color in your ochtodes!! Very nice!

btw I think the brown algae might be dictyota? 

[CKS]

Awesome growth & color in your ochtodes!! Very nice!

btw I think the brown algae might be dictyota? 

Thank you for all the kind words

haha thats the confusing part, it could be under the dictyota family (brown algae), and so it might be Lobophora http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/plants/seaweed/phaeophyta/bracket.htm

or it could be red macroalgae since the description is kind of close (slimy surface) http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/plants/seaweed/rhodophyta/scaly.htm

 

 

[Zion]

Really great looking tank! The octodes look super nice! 

[CKS]

Really great looking tank! The octodes look super nice! 

THanks! I hope the macroalgaes in your tank are doing well

[CKS]

I have created a short video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5uDtD_l8Ho

New photos will be uploaded sometime this week

[Fjdam]

Nicely scaped.. guess i can still keep my planted tank passion in marine ecology..hehe thanks for posting and gave me idea

[CKS]

I'm sure there are such interest here. Please share with us the photos of yours planted tank too

 

Nicely scaped.. guess i can still keep my planted tank passion in marine ecology..hehe thanks for posting and gave me idea