Mangroves?

[lb013]

Well I started with 6, two years ago and I currently have 3. I just had one die about a week ago. It had rubbed on a baffle too much and I didn't catch it in time.
I just use a 2- bulb (aquarium/plant) 24" florescent light from Wallyworld. I tried the float method when I lived in FL but it didn't work as well as just having them grow in the sand. One thing I should probably do more with them is rinse them off. I rinse them when I think of it maybe once a week or two. They are very low maintenance just a shower every now and then. If you do try them good luck and don't forget, slow growers.

 

[gjh289]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14366251#post14366251 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jandree22
Now getting back on subject, great info people! Being as my fuge is in the basement, that'd be annoying to be obligated to run downstairs every evening for a mangrove shower. But the dedicated fuge is 30gal with a DSB, so it's prime real estate. What type of lighting is appropriate/sufficient? Currently using a standard twist daylight CF bulb from Lowes for the chaeto.

I only use a Wal Mart grow light over my mangrove tank. With that being said I now have approx 10 in my sump under a 5500k twist bulb from Home Depot. I'm not sure why but my grow rate I think is unusual. I began growing my last batch from rootless pods back in Aug 08 and now they are about 18 inches. I will soon need to get rid of them because they are touching the light bulb and I can not raise the light any higher.

I did grow several floating and several in mud and found the mangroves in the reef mud grew better with more leaves. I created a bed of mud, planted the pods, then covered the mud with a fine layer of sand just to keep the mud in place. Keep in mind that mangroves grow in an environment that rainfall is frequent. These trees only means of acquiring fresh water in a salt environment is thru rain or your spray bottle. I think me spraying the trees EVERY day with a light mist certainly helped. Also, they prefer a humid environment with is also provided by the mist especially important if you live up north during the winter where your humidity is very low indoors.

 

[svynx]

I just had a thought. Since most of us have ATO, and some of us have the luxury of having an equipment room (I wish I did), how hard would it be to set the ATO with some kind of mist bar? It could be set up right above the mangroves and both top off the tank, and spray the salt off the leaves.

 

[reeftard73]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14368904#post14368904 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by svynx
I just had a thought. Since most of us have ATO, and some of us have the luxury of having an equipment room (I wish I did), how hard would it be to set the ATO with some kind of mist bar? It could be set up right above the mangroves and both top off the tank, and spray the salt off the leaves.

Good idea, but in my case, I don't think the leaves would like to have kalkwasser sprayed all over them.

 

[Jandree22]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14368923#post14368923 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reeftard73
Good idea, but in my case, I don't think the leaves would like to have kalkwasser sprayed all over them.

:lol:

Something I was thinking, and this probably requires an equipment room as well, it to track down a taller than normal tank for the fuge, drill a drain about half way down the side for a low water level, then place a sealed glass canopy on top. This would help lock in humidity and provide condensation dripping of FW.

 

[NCNBilly]

4 of the 5 I got from Reefcleaners have some root growth - no leaves yet tho. I'm looking forward to being able to share.

 

[m0nk]

FYI, last time I was in Treasures From the Sea in Mechanicsburg, they had mangroves for like $5 or $6 a piece.