Mangroves & a DSB

[Tylt33]

I'm planning a custom sump to try my hand at mangroves in conjunction with a DSB. Most resources I've found recommend sugar sand or as fine of sand as can be had. I'm wondering if anyone has run a setup with 8" of mud or so instead of sand, or if I'm overlooking potential pitfalls.

Also, for your mangrove owners, how do you mount your lights if your mangroves are in your sump in your stand?

 

[tzzhc4]

Never too happy with mangroves in the sump

Never too happy with mangroves in the sump

I have tried a mangroves a number of times with a number of setups and number of mangrove species. From my personal experience I would not recommend them for anything other then aesthetics, they don't grow fast enough to remove a substantial amount of nutrients.

On the other hand I would highly recommend DSB, been running all my aquariums with DSB for years.

 

[Tylt33]

Re: Never too happy with mangroves in the sump

Re: Never too happy with mangroves in the sump

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11887255#post11887255 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tzzhc4
I have tried a mangroves a number of times with a number of setups and number of mangrove species. From my personal experience I would not recommend them for anything other then aesthetics, they don't grow fast enough to remove a substantial amount of nutrients.

On the other hand I would highly recommend DSB, been running all my aquariums with DSB for years.

Hi, thanks for the input! I'm going to be growing red mangroves; and like you said, only for aesthetic value! I'll also have macroalgae and a DSB. I just thought it would be fun to have mangroves.

How deep of a DSB do you run and what grain size of sand do you use?

 

[snorvich]

I use sugar sand and have about 12 inches in a plastic container.

 

[Vallen513]

I use the regular white sand you would use in your display tank. 6 inches plus is good. I find them to export nutrients well. They can grow fast too. I use a regular MH light on them. I found this by accident, but they like to be constantly splashed with water. I have a return pipe about 10" above the top of the water. This splashes the leaves constantly.

http://www.cincyreef.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=10502

The mangroves have grown considerably more since then. I'll try to post a new picture of them tonight.

 

[erics3000]

Vallen can you post some pics here of your setup?

 

[adtravels]

They need a daily misting as well so not as easy as cheato, and not as efficient, I would miss the rdsb as well unless it is huge or it will start to store nutrients and then potentially release then ata later date. Cheato and a bb sump is much better as you will be able to see detritus and then siphon it easily. I recently removed my sand bed inthe fuge for these reasons.

 

[davidryder]

Well, I don't know how much the size of the sand matters but mangroves will grow fairly fast under high light. They will grow slowly under low light.

 

[T Man]

I keep a sump/ref with mangroves in a deep mineral mud bed and the display has a six inch DSB. The reef has had zero nitrate issues with or without the mangroves........I can't really claim any significant export thus far.
As mentioned above, their growth rate is determined by the wattage and photoperiod. I've used 175w MH and they grew quick, about a foot per month....overkill? yes! Right now they are getting about 60 watts @ 8hrs, a much better choice.
I enjoy keeping mangroves just to watch them grow, they are just another member of my tropical foliage family. The next reef will incorporate a small lagoon in front of the display which will have a six foot row of mangroves planted in mineral mud.....

Here are some pics of my sump the past fews years. TinMan