Help me build the perfect Mangrove tank!

[Giga]

I could. Although I'm not a DIY'er when it comes to lighting so I would need to look for an off the shelf option or Build My LEDs.
If this is supposedly a "Full Spectrum Daylight" bulb that I have, what would the LEDs do for me?

And that tank is 10" deep.
That should be good, right?

Thanks!

The full spectrum thing-is not completely true-While it technically is, it's nothing compared to like a metal halide white bulb or a T5HO with 6 different spectrum bulbs. Those spectrum of leds with aid in the different photosynthetic processes. While not 100% necessary you will have better growth and stronger tree's, and you did ask for the perfect system, right :wave:

 

[d2mini]

The full spectrum thing-is not completely true-While it technically is, it's nothing compared to like a metal halide white bulb or a T5HO with 6 different spectrum bulbs. Those spectrum of leds with aid in the different photosynthetic processes. While not 100% necessary you will have better growth and stronger tree's, and you did ask for the perfect system, right :wave:

Yes I did! And exactly the answer I was looking for. Thanks!

 

[Michael Hoaster]

Mangroves are so hot right now…plenty of great info out there too!

I have no experience with mangroves. None. But if I were doing what you're doing I would fill the tank half way with mud, then a couple inches of sugar sand over it. I'd plant one propagule of the prettiest mangrove I could easily get. As for fish, I'd do a small species tank, like pipefish or jawfish or something I couldn't do in the display tank. Or do a refugium for something you don't have in your other fuge, like mysids or something.

Anyway, sounds like a cool idea!

 

[d2mini]

Mangroves are so hot right now"¦plenty of great info out there too!

I have no experience with mangroves. None. But if I were doing what you're doing I would fill the tank half way with mud, then a couple inches of sugar sand over it. I'd plant one propagule of the prettiest mangrove I could easily get. As for fish, I'd do a small species tank, like pipefish or jawfish or something I couldn't do in the display tank. Or do a refugium for something you don't have in your other fuge, like mysids or something.

Anyway, sounds like a cool idea!

Thanks!
For fish I'll be transferring over my two Banggai Cardinals, since the mangrove roots is one of their natural habitats and they are in my current refugium. May also add a long spine black urchin but not sure if this tank is really big enough. They grow so fast.

For the substrate, I'm worried about the deep, dense mud.
My fuge right now has Walt Smith's Fiji Mud. Only a couple inches and nothing else on top. That fuge is nothing but hair algae right now. And I have no HA anywhere else in my system. Could it be the fault of the mud? I can see lots of black patches along the glass.

So right now my biggest worry with this setup is the substrate.
What to use, the depth, and how to care for it.
I would appreciate all suggestions on this matter.

And if I go with the tank above which is 10" tall, i will probably have at least an inch from the top of the tank to the water line. That will leave about 9".
Will I have enough room for substrate and enough water depth for the fish?

 

[Michael Hoaster]

I will defer to the experts, on your questions.

Sounds very likely your mud caused the algae, which is why I suggested sand on top. The mangrove roots get down into the mud, but the algae doesn't.

Good luck! Cute profile pic!

 

[DnR]

may I suggest..... regarding aesthetics
1. When adding mud, don't it put near the side of the glass (eyesore).
2. Add fine sand then a coarse sand on top of it.
3. Scape your sand with slope like what they do in freshwater (1" front and at least 4" at the back).
4. Add minimum of 3 mangroves for your cube with 3 different height levels.
5. Proportion the height of the tank to your mangrove plants. 10" is to short if you add 3" sandbed.

 

[d2mini]

may I suggest..... regarding aesthetics
1. When adding mud, don't it put near the side of the glass (eyesore).
2. Add fine sand then a coarse sand on top of it.
3. Scape your sand with slope like what they do in freshwater (1" front and at least 4" at the back).
4. Add minimum of 3 mangroves for your cube with 3 different height levels.
5. Proportion the height of the tank to your mangrove plants. 10" is to short if you add 3" sandbed.

Thanks for the suggestions!
If I may, i'd like to ask for some clarification on a couple points.

2. What do you think should be the min and max depth of each of substrate (sand vs mud)?

5. For a 20"x20" tank, what do you think would be the ideal height?

 

[d2mini]

Still trying to settle on the optimum depth of the substrate so I can determine the height of the tank and get it ordered!

 

[LelandF.]

Sorry forgot to post a pic. Here's a pic right after I set it up, I'll get a new pic with the lights on tomorrow.

Leland

 

[LelandF.]

Sorry the pic is sideways, I edited it to be straight on my phone, but it keeps uploading sideways.

 

[d2mini]

Neat, thanks.
Ya, would love to see a closer shot with the lights on if you have time.

I think I'm going to go with 22"x20"x15"tall.
The 15" should let me do a good 6" of substrate and then still have enough room left over for the mangroves and a couple cardinals. Especially if i go higher with the substrate in the center and lower around the edges.