scottjones

Hello everyone! I'm going to be starting a new saltwater tank and have a couple questions. As far as substrate, I'm wondering what i need to be able to have plants in the tank. I'm definitely doing live rock, possibly live sand (depending on the answers here). Just want to say, i appreciate anyone who runs or contributes to a forum like this--it's been a huge help to me so far.

capekate

Hello Scottjones and welcome to fishlore. Im sure that some of the SW members will come around soon and see your post. I keep FW so cant answer your question for you but wanted to welcome you to fishlore and wish you success with your SW tank. I love SW tanks myself, but the care and expense is what keeps me away. Best of luck setting up your new tank!

sgould

When talking plants in a saltwater tank, you are talking macroalgae. There are many varieties, but as a general rule are pretty hardy and easy to keep. Many will anchor on rocks or in substrate either one. If you are wanting live sand, go for it. 2 elements that will be of importance will be lighting and nutrients. The cool thing about nutrients for macroalgae is that many of the things we are trying to control and eliminate from our water (nitrates for instance) are food for the macroalgae. So, keeping the algae will help you keep your water parameters in line.

travie

If you have a sump tank connected to your main display, you could put a mangrove plant in it. Its not fully aquatic and is the only plant I know of that can go in SW.

Otherwise all the other SW 'plants' are macroalgaes.

cerianthus

Tried couple of mangrove about 10 yrs ago. Mangrove Tree did OK but not reaaly successful in removing NO3, NO2 noticeably. Probably amt needed was more than 2 i had. Macroalgae are easy to grow and will take over in Refuge thus wll see drop in NO3 and PO4 eventually (that is when amt used up by Macro outweighs the amt produced by tank). On other thread trying to ID Maco, this member had Halimeda growing in the tank. These macro can come w/LR or Coral. I collected some macro from the ocean which died off but starting to see new growth on plastic spout and LR. Maybe seedlings were released as they died off. Am trying to grow as they will help me with controlling NO3, PO4.