The Coastal Tidepool Lagoon
JungleAdvanced
The Coastal Tidepool Lagoon
"For the foyer that values serenity and detail, this Lagoon-style setup offers a unique 'underwater garden' perspective. Seahorses gracefully anchor themselves to vibrant red and blue algae, creating a living masterpiece that invites guests to stop and linger. It’s a softer, more organic approach to salt water that feels like a quiet cove hidden along the Rhode Island shoreline, blending high-end design with the delicate rhythm of marine life."
Minimum Tank Size
80g Lagoon (48x24x16) Rimless
Volume
80 gal
Water Parameters
74°F-77°F
8.1-8.3 pH
Substrate
Fine Oolite SandScattered small pebbles for natural tidepool look
Hardscape Components
Branching Tonga Branch RockVertically oriented branches placed in three distinct islands to provide hitching posts.
Weathered Pacific RockBase foundations for the Tonga branches, creating small caves for pipefish.
Fauna Inventory
Lined Seahorse (Hippocampus erectus)
Syngnathid
4x
Clinging to algae and hardscape
Janss' Pipefish (Doryhamphus janssi)
Syngnathid
2x
Bottom and cave dweller
Peppermint Shrimp (Lysmata wurdemanni)
Invertebrate
4x
Scavenger
Scarlet Reef Hermit Crab (Paguristes cadenati)
Invertebrate
12x
Substrate and rock surfaces
Flora Inventory
Dragon's Breath (Halymenia durvillei)
Macroalgae
4 bunches
Midground focal points
Red Grape Algae (Botryocladia sp.)
Macroalgae
3 clusters
Background
Blue Ochtodes
Macroalgae
2 mats
Foreground
The Coastal Tidepool Lagoon
Jungle Aquascape Plan
aquascaping.ai
January 15, 2026
"For the foyer that values serenity and detail, this Lagoon-style setup offers a unique 'underwater garden' perspective. Seahorses gracefully anchor themselves to vibrant red and blue algae, creating a living masterpiece that invites guests to stop and linger. It’s a softer, more organic approach to salt water that feels like a quiet cove hidden along the Rhode Island shoreline, blending high-end design with the delicate rhythm of marine life."
Tank80g Lagoon (48x24x16) Rimless (80 gal)
Parameters74-77°F • pH 8.1-8.3
DifficultyAdvanced
Fauna
- 4x Lined Seahorse (Hippocampus erectus)
- 2x Janss' Pipefish (Doryhamphus janssi)
- 4x Peppermint Shrimp (Lysmata wurdemanni)
- 12x Scarlet Reef Hermit Crab (Paguristes cadenati)
Flora
- 4 bunches Dragon's Breath (Halymenia durvillei)
- 3 clusters Red Grape Algae (Botryocladia sp.)
- 2 mats Blue Ochtodes
Shopping List
Tank & Supplies
| Item | Qty | Est. Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 80g Rimless Lagoon Tank (48x24x16)- Low-iron glass recommended for clarity in foyer display. | 1 | $1,200.00 | |
| Low-flow DC Return Pump- Ensure flow is adjustable to keep seahorses from being buffeted. | 1 | $250.00 | |
| Refugium-optimized LED Lighting- Look for full spectrum with strong blue/red peaks for macroalgae growth. | 1 | $500.00 | |
| Automatic Top-Off (ATO) System- Critical for maintaining stable salinity required by Syngnathids. | 1 | $180.00 | |
| Seahorse-safe Protein Skimmer- Must have intake guards to prevent seahorse tails from getting caught. | 1 | $350.00 | |
| Fine Oolite Sand- Provides a soft bed for the lagoon aesthetic. | 80 lbs | $90.00 |
Hardscape
| Item | Qty | Est. Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Branching Tonga Branch Rock- Select pieces with many thin branches for hitching posts. | 40 lbs | $450.00 | |
| Scattered Marine-safe Pebbles- To be scattered around the base of rocks for a natural tidepool look. | 1 bag | $25.00 |
Flora
| Item | Qty | Est. Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dragon's Breath (Halymenia durvillei)- Focal point midground; will fluoresce under blue aquarium lights. | 4 bunches | $100.00 | |
| Red Grape Algae (Botryocladia sp.)- Background placement; check for firm, translucent bubbles. | 3 clusters | $75.00 | |
| Blue Ochtodes- Provides a rare blue contrast for the foreground mats. | 2 mats | $50.00 |
Fauna
| Item | Qty | Est. Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lined Seahorse (Hippocampus erectus)- Must be captive-bred; ensure they are eating frozen mysis before purchase. | 4 | $500.00 | |
| Janss' Pipefish (Doryhamphus janssi)- Introduce only after the tank's copepod population is established. | 2 | $120.00 | |
| Peppermint Shrimp- Efficient scavengers that help control nuisance anemones. | 4 | $60.00 |
Setup Guide
Hardscape & Substrate Foundation
Day 1- Position the 80-gallon rimless tank in the foyer, ensuring it is perfectly level.
- Rinse and add the Fine Oolite Sand substrate to a depth of 1-2 inches.
- Scatter small pebbles across the sand to mimic a natural Rhode Island tidepool floor.
- Arrange the Branching Tonga Rock vertically, creating multiple hitching points at various heights.
Tip: Leave plenty of open sand space in the foreground to keep the 'lagoon' feel and allow for easier cleaning.
Water Parameters & Biological Start
Weeks 1-2- Fill the tank with RODI water mixed with high-quality marine salt to a specific gravity of 1.024-1.025.
- Install and activate the low-flow DC return pump and the protein skimmer.
- Set the heater to maintain a steady 74-76 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Add a high-quality bacterial starter culture to begin the nitrogen cycle.
Tip: Keep the protein skimmer running during the cycle to oxygenate the water, but be prepared for it to 'over-skim' initially.
Planting the Marine Garden
Week 3- Secure the Red Grape Algae clusters to the background rocks using fishing line or reef-safe glue.
- Place Dragon's Breath in midground areas where flow is moderate to prevent detritus buildup.
- Tuck Blue Ochtodes mats into foreground rock crevices to create iridescent cushions.
- Program the LED lighting for a 10-hour photoperiod to support macroalgae photosynthesis.
Tip: Macroalgae like Dragon's Breath benefit from slightly higher iron levels; consider a basic marine plant supplement.
Invertebrates & Pod Seeding
Month 1-2- Introduce 4 Peppermint Shrimp to manage any early nuisance anemones or leftover food.
- Seed the aquarium with several bottles of live copepods and amphipods.
- Install the Automatic Top-Off (ATO) system to ensure salinity stays stable for the delicate seahorses.
- Begin ghost-feeding small amounts of mysis shrimp to maintain the bio-load.
Tip: The Janss' Pipefish relies heavily on hunting live pods; establishing a dense population now is critical for their survival.
Arrival of the Seahorses
Month 3- Slowly drip-acclimate the captive-bred Lined Seahorses over 60-90 minutes.
- Introduce the Janss' Pipefish during a 'lights out' period to reduce initial stress.
- Monitor the inhabitants to ensure they are finding the Tonga Rock hitching posts.
- Establish a twice-daily feeding routine of frozen mysis shrimp enriched with vitamins.
Tip: Ensure the water temperature does not exceed 77 degrees Fahrenheit, as seahorses are prone to bacterial infections in warmer water.
Maintenance Schedule
Daily
Targeted Nutrition
Feed Lined Seahorses and Janss' Pipefish high-quality frozen mysis shrimp twice daily. Use a feeding tube if necessary to ensure food reaches the pipefish in the lower rockwork.
Parameter & ATO Verification
Check that the temperature is stable between 72-77°F and verify the Automatic Top-Off reservoir is full to prevent salinity swings that could stress the macroalgae.
Weekly
Glass Maintenance & Skimmer Service
Clean the aquarium glass to maintain the clear view of the Newport lagoon. Empty and rinse the protein skimmer collection cup to ensure efficient nutrient export.
Water Quality & Pod Boost
Test Nitrates and Phosphates to ensure sufficient nutrients for macroalgae without encouraging nuisance algae. Add a supplemental dose of live copepods for the pipefish.
Bi-Weekly
Mineral Replenishment Change
Perform a 15% water change. This exports organic waste and replenishes trace elements like Iron and Iodine which are essential for the Dragon's Breath and Blue Ochtodes.
Monthly
Macroalgae Harvesting
Prune the Red Grape Algae and Dragon's Breath to maintain the intended 'Jungle' layout. Remove any detached fragments to prevent them from clogging pump intakes.
Hitching Post Inspection
Inspect the Tonga Branch Rock for detritus buildup or sharp edges. Ensure the seahorses have clean, accessible areas to anchor themselves throughout the lagoon.
Generated by Fish Advisor AI