Mangrove question

[Mark_C]

Hi all. Mark here.
Relatively new to the forums but I've been a troll for a few months while researching reef tank set up.
Here's my initial post in the forums showing my build...
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2453494

Anyways,
My tank is 40b, is in mid cycle, and i'm figuring out my CUC and initial stocking.
I plan on chaeto in my fuge and am VERY interested in growing some red mangroves in the rear of the tank itself (almost as a 'root backdrop').
Heres the big question -
Almost every site I look to for research reports that 'Mangrove roots may damage acrylic or glass tanks in as little as three years'. They usually go on to say that red mangroves are so sensitive to trimming that any trim to the roots can kill the tree.
So, how does this 'damage to the aquarium' occur? Do the roots burrow into the silicon? Do they spread so far that they put pressure on the tank itself (that seems ridiculous)?
Am I safe cultivating mangroves in the tank or am I at risk of future tank damage in a few years? I'd hate to have to transplant a tank full of established corals or allow catastrophic damage.
Thanks for any enlightenment.
Mark

 

[Mark_C]

No thoughts?

 

[Sobos Reef]

I'm curious to know as well. Was thinking of trying mangroves in my new fuge setup but not if this could happen lol

 

[bluekoi]

Bumping this up hoping someone will answer as I'm curious too. I had a few mangrove plants in my 60 cube. They did grow some amazingly long roots that intertwined with the rock wall I had in back. They were very cool. I unfortunately lost them when I pulled the rock wall out. Was considering a small mangrove tank.
I had heard that they do not do much for nitrate removal tho....

 

[GriffinMarsh]

Well IME, I have a very large mangrove that one of the main knees broke off causing a massive phosphate spike in the tank. It was towards the back of the system out of sight. To answer the damaging part of the acrylic/glass of the aquarium, i bet its due to the amazing strength of the roots. The same tree I have has burrowed through the smallest gap in some live rock causing fracturing. Here is a picture of my mangrove about six months ago while it was still "small" sitting in my 60cube (24"x24"x24". I hope this helps.

 

[Mark_C]

Griffin!
Thank you for the info, exactly what I needed! In the interm though, I started a few pods at the back of the tank. I'll watch the root system as they grow to avoid any trouble.
Cheers,
Mark