??????????mangrove // refugium

[HEADCHEF1971]

can some one explain the differences between mangroves and refugiums. thank you i really want to know. when i search for refugium topics they talk about mangroves and vica versa. are they similar or related, or completely different.

 

[MIKE NY]

The purpose of refugium is not only a safe haven for critters, but to remove phosphates, nitrates etc.. from the water via macro algaes, chaeto, seagrasses. Mangroves are used for the same purpose, but look cooler growing out of the water...

 

[HEADCHEF1971]

so it looks cooler with the same purpose and outcome

 

[DgenR8]

A refugium is contained within a tank or tub. It's really named refugium as it's a refuge for micro critters to grow and reproduce without the threat of predation. Most people grow some sort of macro algae in their refugium, as it removes nitrate (and other unwanted nutrients) as it grows.
Mangroves are plants that grow in salt water. I can't get into plant biology (because I don't know any) but I'd say that Mangroves are slightly more advanced than macro algae. Mangroves also grow very slowly, and while they do look cool growing out of a refugium, are not really good for nutrient export because of how slowly they grow,

 

[Kigs]

what's the minimum light requirement on these guys?

 

[edwadd]

Mangroves are great looking but I have 2 problems with them. Their slow growth and consequent small nutrient export compared to algaes and what do you do with them after they grow above the lighting source? I have been having the 2nd problem quite often.

 

[Spracklcat]

Larry hit it--Mangroves are nice, but not very useful for nutrient export because they grow slowly. I think they get mentioned often in the context of refugiums because it's just a nice place to put them--most people have hoods on their tanks.

Unlike algae, Mangroves are true plants (trees actually) and grow well in a sunny window or under 6500K light or warmer. "Algae"typically refers to aquatic, less advanced photosynthetic organisms.

Perhaps the best way to use mangroves is in a tank set up specifically for them--you can have a sand bed bottom, or even mud, and small fish.

The best

 

[shadowman70]

Mangroves are great at pulling nitrates and phosphates out of the water in the refugium thus removing it from the display tank....however.......the big downside is ......they also pull tons of magnesium from the water as well......whish is not so good for alot of inverts....clams and such.....

Richard

 

[Anthony Calfo]

FWIW:

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-12/ac/feature/index.php