Anyone use mangroves for nitrate filter?

[ScarabIII]

Just read an article about using mangroves plants for nitrate & phosphate removal. Mangroves as a natural filter. Anyone doing this and where can you buy them?

 

[cmador]

I think Chris does. She goes by Nahla on this board and has some red mangroves available on fragswapper.

 

[sagi]

Try isaac269 on ohioreefers.com

 

[Nahla]

Yes, I have used Mangroves for a long time. I have no problems with nitrates and I believe the Mangroves plants are doing the trick!

I will have some available at the fragswap, I may have about 25-30 left to sell.

Chris (aka Nahla)

 

[trueperc]

I've heard you need to use a lot to really get the effects you want, is this true ?

 

[Kreeger1]

yes thats true, there not super effective at removing nitrates or phosopates. THere more for looks then filtering capabilities.
Erik

 

[MadSkillzMan]

if it removes ANY phosphate ill be interested in some.

 

[Kreeger1]

They also need more light then what more effect chaeto or caulerpa does.
There basically for looks it the aquarium. There pretty sweet once they start to take on a tree shape
Erik

 

[Nahla]

If anyone is interested, here is a link to an article about Mangroves in the Aquarium.

http://toptropicals.com/html/aqua/plants/mangrove/mangrove_eng.htm

 

[Kreeger1]

Quote from Anthony Caflo in
For all my love for keeping these plants, however, I must admit that they truly are not comparatively efficient nutrient export mechanisms. It's a very simple matter. Growth overall is slow, and leaf drop is often concurrent with new leaf growth. The net gain of mass from these plants is, in fact, dismally slow, and leaf drop alone (as a vehicle for nutrient export) cannot compare to a vigorous Chaetomorpha or Gracilaria based vegetable filter.

Taken from this article
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-12/ac/feature/index.php

 

[Nahla]

It looks like it is a matter of opinion. I think they do help nitrates.

 

[Kreeger1]

Yeah they do help nitrates some But not as effective in a refug as Chaeto or an caulerpa or such. IMO there far better looking though.
Erik