Creating your own underwater lawn: Have you thought about setting up a seagrass tank?

[Peace River]

Creating your own underwater lawn: Have you thought about setting up a seagrass tank?

There are many themes and visuals to implement when designing and setting up a tank. The coral curation approach is common with a focus on adding many small frags and (hopefully) growing them out into small colonies. This may include an emphasis on blue light to make the color fluorescent corals pop. Other approaches may include a minimalistic layout, a lagoon style, macroalgae, and many other styles of tanks. One approach that would often fall under a biotope design is a seagrass tank that mimic the grass flats of certain shallow coastal area. This approach is unique and can be rewarding, however seagrass tanks can be challenging. Have you ever thought about setting up a seagrass tank?

Photo by @Brandon McHenry

If you would like to learn more about seagrass tanks, the related build process, and other details, please consider reading the thread about the seagrass aquarium at the Ocean Discover Visitor’s Center.


This QOTD is sponsored by: www.dinkinsaquaticgardens.com

“Dinkins Aquatic Gardens specializes in producing top-quality copepods, phytoplankton, amphipods, and berghia nudibranchs. We are a small husband-and-wife company that intensely focuses on customer service. We'd love to have you experience the Dinkins Difference!"

 

[randomfishdude]

I've thought about what if I grabbed some of the grass off the bay right by my house.

 

[tnw50cal]

Does green star polyps count, looks like well mowed green.

 

[Reefkeepers Archive]

Have thought about setting up a garden eel tank, which can be passed off as seagrass from afar

 

[Timfish]

Been on my bucket list for awhile, it's below getting Leafy Sea Dragons and above keeping Blue Sea Dragon nudibranchs

 

[tomtheturkey]

If I ever did a seahorse tank I would give it a shot

 

[cdnco2004]

I would if I could ever find seagrass.

 

[AtlantiCat]

I have never thought about it before, but I'm sure as heck gonna think about it now!

 

[Peace River]

I have never thought about it before, but I'm sure as heck gonna think about it now!

Its been on my list for a long time but I haven’t done it yet. My plan is to attempt a biotope similar to the Tampa Bay flats.

 

[CBonito]

A less mundane alternative to a refugium. I like it. Pretty sure sea grass will grow wonderfully in a mud refugium.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Honestly never thought of having it in my tank before

 

[shred5]

I have turtle grass growing right now.

 

[vlangel]

I actually set up my fuge to be a seagrass tank. On another forum I watched and chatted with an aquarist who very successfully had a seagrass/macroalgae tank. I loved the naturalness of it so tried it myself. Mine did not thrive but I suspect that my lighting was not right. He used a metal halide and supplemented with something else I think. My tank had T5s.

I wouldn't mind giving it another go but right now my mixed reef is looking so good that I plan to enjoy it. I am a one tank gal, well except the sump. Who knows, maybe I will invest in better lighting for the sump/fuge and try again.

 

[Peace River]

I have turtle grass growing right now.

Any tips on growing turtle grass?

 

[kou]

I have a macro display but no idea where i can buy seagrass.

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

I would if I could ever find seagrass.

I have a macro display but no idea where i can buy seagrass.

I've never ordered from the sites below, but they both offer seagrass, and I've heard that they're both legitimate.

For tropical seagrasses (Turtlegrass, Manatee Grass, and Shoal Grass):

For Sale - Saltwater Marine Plants

In addition saltwater marine plants help clarify your water by absorbing nitrates and carbon dioxide, marine plants also serve as a food source for many marine species.

aquaticusplants.com

For a coldwater seagrass (Eelgrass):

Gulf Of Maine, Inc. | Sea Life & Seaweed

Gulf of Maine sea life and seaweed shipped to you overnight. Over 200 species catalogued, photographed, and described. Sea life available live, frozen, preserved for educational purposes

gulfofme.com

 

[The_Macro_Lady]

Currently working on a seagrass/macro tank. Will be getting seahorses soon.
The grass is growing nicely, several new shoots coming through. Originals came from Julian Sprung

 

[cdnco2004]

I've never ordered from the sites below, but they both offer seagrass, and I've heard that they're both legitimate.

For tropical seagrasses (Turtlegrass, Manatee Grass, and Shoal Grass):

For Sale - Saltwater Marine Plants

In addition saltwater marine plants help clarify your water by absorbing nitrates and carbon dioxide, marine plants also serve as a food source for many marine species.

aquaticusplants.com

For a coldwater seagrass (Eelgrass):

Gulf Of Maine, Inc. | Sea Life & Seaweed

Gulf of Maine sea life and seaweed shipped to you overnight. Over 200 species catalogued, photographed, and described. Sea life available live, frozen, preserved for educational purposes

gulfofme.com

They only have the Turtle grass in stock. Which of the three is easier to grow? I know they are all mostly difficult.

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

They only have the Turtle grass in stock. Which of the three is easier to grow? I know they are all mostly difficult.

I don’t know - not many people seem to keep them, let alone keep multiple to compare with. That said, the quotes below have some good info that may help:

You are welcome! Here are some good reads :
Marine Plants in the Aquarium
Beyond the Refugium: Seagrass Aquaria by Sarah Lardizabal
Seagrass and the Reef Aquarium

I don’t think Seagrasses have popped up on their site before. I wish they did (though their substrate requirements would probably make it difficult to keep them pest-free).
@AlgaeBarn



Those seem to be the main two sources of seagrass these days. I do not have experience with Aquaticus Plants (@SeaGrass Cullen), though its seems to have a good reputation, and Tropical Fish Plus (@TFP2021) offers manatee grass (Syringodium filiforme) for a great price (20+ individual plants for $8), though the macroalgae I received from them did contain hitchhikers.

Sources that currently have/recently stocked the following seagrasses (in the states):

Turtle grass (Thalassia testudinum):
- Aquaticus Plants
- FloridaPets
- Gulf Specimen Marine Laboratory
- Addictive Reef Keeping

- Gulf Coast Ecosystems once sold turtle grass (Thalassia testudinum)

Manatee grass (Syringodium filiforme):
- Aquaticus Plants
- Aquaculture Nursery Farms
- Addictive Reef Keeping

Shoal grass (Halodule wrightii)
- Aquaticus Plants

Eelgrass (Zostera marina) (coldwater seagrass):
- FloridaPets
- Gulf of Maine

Halophila
- Ask Aquaticus Plants for availability

Outside the U.S.:

Sickle seagrass (Thalassia hemprichii)
- Charm (occasionally)

Information:
https://www.marineplantbook.com/marineplantbookseagrass.htm
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-04/sl/index.php


Pictures?

Some fun seagrass setups for anyone who cares:

Here's a view of the manatee grass (Syringodium filiforme) I am growing in my macroalgae system's DT. It has grown and shrunk over time, but is currently the tallest it has been at over 16" or so:

Other shoots growing in my refugium:

I don’t have any other seagrass, so here are some of the most beautiful, creative, and unique seagrass setups I have seen, in my opinion:

Not true seagrass setups, but close enough:

 

[M Stein]

If I wanted something like that, I'd do freshwater.