Need ideas, Florida/Caribbean Reef Tank

TangerineSpeedo

Reefing since 1989
View Badges
Joined
Jun 8, 2022
Messages
3,271
Reaction score
6,184
Location
SoCal
Rating - 100%
1   0   0
So even knowing before I took my trip to Belize, I wanted to do a Caribbean inspired mixed reef tank. On my dives I took a bunch of footage of the reef. The tank I am going to use for this is a 30g long IM, so I can't throw any French angels in there. I would like to do some sps, but because the reef is in rough shape, those really are not available from there. Nor are Sea fans etc.
So I figure I have a couple choices
1. Find someone that has some old aquacultured coral from back in the day that is willing to frag some.
2. Find similar species or corals (porites, finger,) plus sea fans etc. I mean I will probably be the only one that would know if it came from Indo- over the Caribbean.
I know I can get Zoas, and gorgonians, even have some. But my true goal is what one would see on the reef. My range can be quite broad, from the Keys to Roatan, so that gives me some room. But remember I only have 30g to work with.
Suggestions with some pics or links will be appreciated.
 

zheka757

2500 Club Member
View Badges
Joined
Oct 11, 2021
Messages
3,839
Reaction score
25,689
Location
North Port
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Florida recordia garden this was my garden rock, before i killed it by my mistake
1000000204.jpg
 

fish farmer

2500 Club Member
View Badges
Joined
Nov 13, 2017
Messages
3,967
Reaction score
5,848
Location
Brandon, VT
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
One thing to think about with a shallow long tank is gorgs or tall sponges could be out of the water before you know it.

I've thought about getting good cultured keys rock and see what pops off of that. Get some similar looking maze brains.
 

Fish Fan

2500 Club Member
View Badges
Joined
Dec 8, 2017
Messages
4,279
Reaction score
10,515
Rating - 100%
2   0   0
Subbed!

About 18 months ago I started a 10 gallon AIO for a Florida Mantis (N. Wennerae), I used maricultured rock and sand from the Gulf (TBS), and I too wanted to make this tank Caribbean/Gulf themed tank.

In my research, I had a hard time finding corals for this tank. Most of the native Florida stony corals I found are not in the hobby. I learned that there are paly’s and Zoa’s that are native to the area, but not the colorful ones that are popular in the hobby.

I too decided I would have to “cheat” a little. I stocked my tank with several varieties of Zoa’s and I figured only I would know or care if that particular Zoa came from another region. I also added some Ricordea florida shrooms, a gorgonian, and some Rock Flower Anemones.

I’d be interested to hear about anything else like any SPS in the hobby that are found around the Gulf or Caribbean waters.

Cool project; good luck!
 
OP
OP
TangerineSpeedo

TangerineSpeedo

Reefing since 1989
View Badges
Joined
Jun 8, 2022
Messages
3,271
Reaction score
6,184
Location
SoCal
Rating - 100%
1   0   0
Have you already bought the 30?
Yes... This is what I will be working with... Kinda a Dump tank right now for stuff I don't know what to do with.
Already got the mangroves.... lol
IMG_3335.jpeg
 
OP
OP
TangerineSpeedo

TangerineSpeedo

Reefing since 1989
View Badges
Joined
Jun 8, 2022
Messages
3,271
Reaction score
6,184
Location
SoCal
Rating - 100%
1   0   0
Subbed!

About 18 months ago I started a 10 gallon AIO for a Florida Mantis (N. Wennerae), I used maricultured rock and sand from the Gulf (TBS), and I too wanted to make this tank Caribbean/Gulf themed tank.

In my research, I had a hard time finding corals for this tank. Most of the native Florida stony corals I found are not in the hobby. I learned that there are paly’s and Zoa’s that are native to the area, but not the colorful ones that are popular in the hobby.

I too decided I would have to “cheat” a little. I stocked my tank with several varieties of Zoa’s and I figured only I would know or care if that particular Zoa came from another region. I also added some Ricordea florida shrooms, a gorgonian, and some Rock Flower Anemones.

I’d be interested to hear about anything else like any SPS in the hobby that are found around the Gulf or Caribbean waters.

Cool project; good luck!
Sooo.... I went to one of my local LFS's and got a Sergeant Major and a supposed ORA yellow porites. But it was green and similar to the branching finger coral I saw diving... My other LFS has another Sergeant Major. I think I might go get that one also. I know that SM's can be a pain but they will have to work things out.
Sorry for the dirty glass. The Polyp's haven’t come out yet on the coral, looks bleached but it's not. I just put it in there.
IMG_3340.jpeg
IMG_3339.jpeg
 
OP
OP
TangerineSpeedo

TangerineSpeedo

Reefing since 1989
View Badges
Joined
Jun 8, 2022
Messages
3,271
Reaction score
6,184
Location
SoCal
Rating - 100%
1   0   0
Florida recordia garden this was my garden rock, before i killed it by my mistake
1000000204.jpg
I already have a toxic green ricordia in there that is about 3 years old and has never had any babies...
 

Fishfreak2009

Follow Your Passions!
View Badges
Joined
Nov 2, 2016
Messages
2,576
Reaction score
6,699
Location
Mount Morris Michigan
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
So even knowing before I took my trip to Belize, I wanted to do a Caribbean inspired mixed reef tank. On my dives I took a bunch of footage of the reef. The tank I am going to use for this is a 30g long IM, so I can't throw any French angels in there. I would like to do some sps, but because the reef is in rough shape, those really are not available from there. Nor are Sea fans etc.
So I figure I have a couple choices
1. Find someone that has some old aquacultured coral from back in the day that is willing to frag some.
2. Find similar species or corals (porites, finger,) plus sea fans etc. I mean I will probably be the only one that would know if it came from Indo- over the Caribbean.
I know I can get Zoas, and gorgonians, even have some. But my true goal is what one would see on the reef. My range can be quite broad, from the Keys to Roatan, so that gives me some room. But remember I only have 30g to work with.
Suggestions with some pics or links will be appreciated.
You can get really nice Caribbean gorgs, sponges, and macro from live-plants.com (Gulf Coast Ecosystems).

Pygmy angel, a pair of neon gobies, and some other smaller reef fish, maybe a black cap basslet and a blenny of some type?
 

Subsea

5000 Club Member
View Badges
Joined
Jun 21, 2018
Messages
6,502
Reaction score
9,131
Location
Austin, Tx
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
You can get really nice Caribbean gorgs, sponges, and macro from live-plants.com (Gulf Coast Ecosystems).

Pygmy angel, a pair of neon gobies, and some other smaller reef fish, maybe a black cap basslet and a blenny of some type?
I second ornamental sponges from GulfCoast EcoSystems and Gulf Liverock. Also consider cucumbers, flame scallops & feather dusters. While not Caribbean, I added a sea apple.

Check out hitchhiker list from Gulf Live Rock

 

Subsea

5000 Club Member
View Badges
Joined
Jun 21, 2018
Messages
6,502
Reaction score
9,131
Location
Austin, Tx
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Sooo.... I went to one of my local LFS's and got a Sergeant Major and a supposed ORA yellow porites. But it was green and similar to the branching finger coral I saw diving... My other LFS has another Sergeant Major. I think I might go get that one also. I know that SM's can be a pain but they will have to work things out.
Sorry for the dirty glass. The Polyp's haven’t come out yet on the coral, looks bleached but it's not. I just put it in there.
IMG_3340.jpeg
IMG_3339.jpeg
You need some red. Get some ornamental Red Macros in there like Gracilaria Hayi & Bortacladia.
 

Fish Fan

2500 Club Member
View Badges
Joined
Dec 8, 2017
Messages
4,279
Reaction score
10,515
Rating - 100%
2   0   0
You need some red. Get some ornamental Red Macros in there like Gracilaria Hayi & Bortacladia.
I have a red grape Caulerpa (I presume a Bortacladia species) that came on my rock from TBS, and it's really nice stuff. A nice pop of red, grows well for me, but is easily pruned back.
 
OP
OP
TangerineSpeedo

TangerineSpeedo

Reefing since 1989
View Badges
Joined
Jun 8, 2022
Messages
3,271
Reaction score
6,184
Location
SoCal
Rating - 100%
1   0   0
I second ornamental sponges from GulfCoast EcoSystems and Gulf Liverock. Also consider cucumbers, flame scallops & feather dusters. While not Caribbean, I added a sea apple.

Check out hitchhiker list from Gulf Live Rock

Wouldn't that be great if you got all the "hitchhikers"... I thought about them and also TBS but I would have to find a place or sell the rock that is in the tank now, which has a bunch of life on it now ( corals, shrooms, zoas etc.) :thinking-face:
 

Fish Fan

2500 Club Member
View Badges
Joined
Dec 8, 2017
Messages
4,279
Reaction score
10,515
Rating - 100%
2   0   0
Wouldn't that be great if you got all the "hitchhikers"... I thought about them and also TBS but I would have to find a place or sell the rock that is in the tank now, which has a bunch of life on it now ( corals, shrooms, zoas etc.) :thinking-face:
I mean, I wouldn't give up your rock that has such life on it, but if you were inclined to get more rock, I would recommend the premium live rock from the good ladies at Tampa Bay Saltwater. They, and their product, have been very good to me. I purchased +/- 15 pounds of rock and sand about 18 months ago for two small project tanks. I just recently placed a Black Friday order for about 100 pounds of their rock and sand for my new 150. Awesome stuff, and awesome service!

I've for sure heard of Gulf Live Rocks, and I'd never disagree with @Subsea , but I've had such good luck with TBS and the staff there, I have to recommended them whenever I can :)
 

TOP 10 Trending Threads

ON A SCALE FROM 1-10, HOW MUCH DO YOU LOVE REEFING?

  • 10 - It's one of the things I love most in life!

    Votes: 30 29.4%
  • 9

    Votes: 14 13.7%
  • 8

    Votes: 21 20.6%
  • 7

    Votes: 21 20.6%
  • 6

    Votes: 2 2.0%
  • 5 - I enjoy it, but I could live without it if I had to.

    Votes: 11 10.8%
  • 4

    Votes: 1 1.0%
  • 3

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • 2

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • 1 - I'm not sure why I am still in this hobby...

    Votes: 2 2.0%
Back
Top