Marine planted tanks

[Plantbrain]

While many consider marine plants for their utility, there are an enormous number of interesting species out there available for tanks.
I collected some locally here in Florida. I'd have to say the tank is very satistfying and many folks think it's a "reef" tank. I figured out what everything was and made a list:

Greens:

Acetabularia: Had some but it's melted back, a few bits left.
Caulerpa verticillata
C. sertularioides(wee bit)
C. mexicana(wee bit)
C prolifera
C. racemosa
C. cupressoides
C. curpessoides "Tiny"
Batophora oerstedii
Dasycladus vermicularis(aka furry sauages)
Neomeris annulata (cannot find it now)
Ventricaria ventricaria
Valonia sp
Dictyospaeria cavernosa
Codium repens
Codium sp
Cladocephalus luteofuscus
Udotea flabellum
Rhipocephalus phoenix
Penicillus capitatus "Mini Trees"
P. dumetosus
Cymopolia barbata : my favorite green alga
Halimeda copisoa
H. discoidea
H. incraassata
H. monile

Browns:
Dictyota cervicornis
Padina gymnospora
Sargassum sp

Reds:
Halymenia sp.
Ceramium sp.
Laurecia poitei
L. intricata.
L. sp.
Eucheuma isiforme
Jania adherens(looks a lot like coral)
Galaxaura subverticillata
Amphiroa ridida (Looks like coral)
A. tribulus
Neogoniolithon spectabile
N. strictum
And Titanoderma prototypum

Plants:
Syringodium filiforme
Thlassia testudinum

43 plants.
That's a fair number. I'll weed out the less desirable ones later. I've had other species in addition to this.

I'm not certain as to why folks don't keep these plants/macro's except as refugium filter utility plants in marine tanks and then only 3-5 species. They are quite suitable and nice in their own right. No need to buy a refugium filter.

Make the refugium the tank instead.

Regards,
Tom Barr

[loupgarou]

yeah, its a neat idea, however, I don't think out local lfs have marine plants..(and I certainly don't think the shores of singapore have much to offer (due to shipping lanes, reclamation)

[Plantbrain]

A lot of Marine algae come in on live rock.
Much is also traded between folks.

There's more than you think not far off. Got Mangroves?
You got macro algae then.

This was the same case with aquatic plants about 10 years ago. Very hard to find many species.

Aquascaping with Marine plant I think is the next upcoming stage.

Regards,
Tom Barr

[husky]

any pictures to share with us?

[Plantbrain]

Still growing in.
The marine plants take a bit longer to get going, especially the calcareous algae. Timing can be difficult depending on what species you like.

I also have been doing too many nutrient test lately to have a nice patch going. But I've settled somewhat on a routine for now.

Seems like the tank does better at 1/4th the nutrient levels of dosing. Growth is slower with many, rapid as any plant with others.

So till I get a Digital camera(or a friend with one), nothing fer now.
I do not take pics of so-so tanks.

Regards,
Tom Barr

[rasthavis]

I am looking for a source for eucheuma isiforme. In the 1970s I tried to start a Eucheuma isiforme farm in Belize. Failed, but now, after 40 years as a computer programmer, I am retired and keeping marine aquaria. I am currently making a tank with a Florida grass flats theme.