Mangroves

[Pirate@40]

Have started a new 90g tank. Currently it's cycling and there is nothing in the fuge. Been thinking about planting mangroves. Anybody want to share their experiences with mangrove filtration?

 

[DoNtSpEaKlAtIn]

I like the way trees look in my sump other than that I prefer my skimmer.

 

[George Grogan]

I've got a 20 gallon fuge stuffed with chaeto, and have often thought about sectioning it and adding mangroves!!

Tagging along...

 

[Curve50880]

I have heard that you want to attempt to do 1 mangrove per 10 gallons to get the proper "mangrove filtration." I could be wrong though lol. I have been thinking about putting them in my fuge as well. Sounds like a good idea!

 

[Lorretto]

what kind of lighting do the mangroves need? Would 2 18watt coralife 10,000k and actinic be enough? I guess if not I can always have my cabinet door open to let in some light

 

[drummereef]

Here's a mangrove article by Anthony Calfo which might be of benefit.

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

 

[davidryder]

They're slow growers thus providing little nutrient export. They are better off serving as aesthetic additions more than anything.

drummereef - you are the king of links

 

[Pirate@40]

Thiel suggests differently on his website. Here's the benefits he lists:

You will see 5 principal results:
-The Nutrients go down and are lower faster than in the Control tanks. This applies to phosphates and nitrates but also to silicates.
-Oxygen levels go up faster.
-BOD, or biological oxygen demand, is far lower in tanks with mangroves than in tanks where there are none indicating that the mangroves uptake more of the organic material than the skimmers removed in the other tanks.
-Oxygen levels stabilize and are generally higher.

This all takes time. It does not happen in a few weeks.

I'm thinking of trying Mangroves with ogo. From what I've read, Ogo is something tangs will love, so you can use it as food as well.

 

[chkm]

Can the mangroves be completely submerged in the water or do they need to have the top (leaves) sticking out of the water?

 

[davidryder]

Depends on the type. Red mangroves have to stay above the water line but black mangroves can be submerged.

 

[chkm]

How do you tell them apart?

 

[davidryder]

Their usually labeled if you are buying them, but these are black mangroves:

<img src="http://www.phpstory.net/albums/aquarium/album/Refugium%20Stocked/slides/IMG_1068.jpg">

And the red mangroves are in the back here:

<img src="http://www.phpstory.net/albums/aquarium/album/Refugium%20Stocked/slides/040707fuge_03.jpg">

 

[Pirate@40]

Where'd you find the black mangroves?

 

[chkm]

Thanks for the quick response!! Unfortunately they werent labeled at the LFS but after seeing your pics I definitely have the red kind....thanks so much!!

 

[adimal]

they seem pretty sweet might as well try it