Mangrove & clam refuge

[wbeavers]

I was milling over this refuge idea in my head. I was hoping to use a 30 gal cube with 4-6" of sand, some live rock and some turtle grass, in addition to the mangroves, and the clam. I was going to mount a 6500K 250 watt Mh in a pendent sitting 2-3' above the tank. I want the mangroves to really be a display piece once they grow out. I could probably use this for SPS frags also. Let me know what you think.

 

[Quiet1]

I too have been thinking over the mangrove and turtle grass tank. The biggest problem I keep running into is, the mangrove roots will grow to a point where they will break the glass of the tank. I know it can take some time to get to that point, but I have this overwhelming fear, that one day I would come home from work and the entire system would be empty, with water, sand, and other live stock on the floor. Also, I don't think a 6500k 250w light would be enough light for a mangrove or the turtle grass at the height you want to hang it. Just my thoughts.

Quiet1

 

[wbeavers]

I have not heard of problems with mangroves, and glass tanks. Where have you seen this.

 

[Quiet1]

All vascular plants eventually out grow the container they are in. Tree roots are very destructive. They can split and shatter rock, up heave sidewalks, and knock over walls. The glass of our aquariums is pretty strong, but the joints are relatively weak. Mangroves do grow slowly, but that doesn't mean that they will out grow a tank and start pushing outward on the glass and joints. I have no actual evidence of this happening, but it's a chance I would rather not take and it's something that should be kept in mind.

Quiet1

 

[Scleractinian]

wbeavers, I have mangroves growing in everything from vases to sumps to buckets. I have no experience or 1st hand knowledge of such a problem, but I have seen the roots of many varieties of trees do incredible damage and apparently exert incredible force in fissures in various buried concrete and plastic structures.

I'm not sure that they would do the same in a glass tank, because most of the force seems to be applied circumferentially (the roots get bigger around after growing into the fissures) rather than laterally (the roots don't actually "push", they "swell").

What I have done with all of my mangroves that are in tanks or sumps is to pre-plant them in plastic mesh pots (I use square pots 8"x8", available at HD, Lowe's, or anywhere that sells ornamental pond stuff). This makes them much easier to move if you need to, though you do need to conceal the black plastic.

p.s. WB, please PM me w/ your address again. I know where the needlewheel is at the moment, and I still need to get it to you.

 

[Scleractinian]

Also WB, RE: 'sps' frags and 'groves in the same vessel, I wouldn't.

Small mangroves seem to do well with relatively lower light and higher nutrient levels than you will get best frag growth with. You'll also need substrate for the trees, while you wouldn't (and might want to avoid it) in an 'SPS' frag tank.