Mangroves in a refugium?

[jjjimmy]

I have always run a refugium but I have run a variety of caulerpa. I am re-starting my system from scratch and am considering Mangroves instead of caulerpa.

What are the pros and cons? Will I get the same oxygen exchange? Will I get the same nutrient export?

I would like to hear from all who may have any experience or input.

TIA

Jimmy

 

[jjjimmy]

bump for the morning crew.

 

[hebygb]

I run both Chaeto and mangroves in mine (see gallery image to show fuge 6 months ago). For me, the Mangroves are in there mainly for looks. Opinnions vary as to whether they can pull their weight vs. macro algae. The root system is very horizontal and really holds the Miracle Mud in place. I have been toying with the idea of selling my Mangroves because they are outgrowing my system (over 2 ft tall). Must mean they are processing some nutrients.

 

[Triterium]

Exactly what he said ^^^^^

Mangroves do best when the roots are in a sandbed. Algae removes nutrients directly from the water, as opposed to the sandbed with mangroves.

They are definately cool though. I had a system with several hundred mangroves. the system also had macro in a separate fuge for nutrient export.

They take a lot of vertical space. Mine were 2-4 feet tall

 

[DrBegalke]

IMO a single (or even a few) mangroves won't do much. They simply grow to slow to take up/export a lot of nutrients.