what do you think? mangroves, fuge, pics.

[Bluephish13]

So this is my fuge finished mostly, what do you all think? Any input, suggestions would be appreciated. Not really sure what to do with the mangs. Can i just leave them suspended or do the roots need to be planted /buried?

plan on adding some more macro to the rock pillar once i find some that is suitable. The red macro i found at a LFS in a rock tank. Still not sure on the id if anyone wants to take a shot?

The mangroves i purchased on ebay from bamboo dynasty. Great seller,great price, super fast cheap shipping. So far they look really healthy, and they are cultured in saltwater organically. Also grown in lower light. sounds good!

Not really sure what will happen here. In the end i always have that trusty ball of chaeto to fall back on. If all else fails the tank will be stripped and allowed to fill with chaeto and i am out the 11$ for mangroves.

thanks for looking

 

[aquaria44]

I'm not an expert on mangroves or let alone tanks for that matter but this is just freakin cool lol i want plants growing out of a tank seems so relaxing lol. what kind of fish go in it or no fish at all I have no idea but really cool man. BUMPPP

 

[Bluephish13]

probably no fish or anything but plants and pods. Maybe ill find one thing to go in it if its right. A crab, or large feather duster, maybe ill frag my gorgonian and put some of that in it.

would like to find some algae that my hippo tang would eat. That would really help keep him fat while not introducing more nutrients from store bought algae.

Cool factor is nice for now, but hopefully it thrives.

thanks

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

Looks good! Did the mangroves come with leaves and roots like that?

 

[Bluephish13]

yup came with leaves and roots.

 

[rjmayes34]

what light do you have above these?
Look sweet!! Will look real nice when their roots are all over the place in their, stretching down and through the tank!!
Maybe a sweet Hermit Crab in their?? One of the big ones that is not reef safe, i've always liked them, just have no place for one

 

[Bluephish13]

seller claims a 40w grow bulb is sufficient, since they are cultured in lower lighting to make acclimation easier. Right now i just have one 5700K spotlight from the hd. Plan to add one more in a 6000+ k and see how that works. In the mean time maybe ill look for something with better output.

 

[teamdulski]

would like to find some algae that my hippo tang would eat. That would really help keep him fat while not introducing more nutrients from store bought algae.

Paracanthuras hepatus require much more meat in their diet than other tangs.

 

[mr86mister]

You can let them suspend just like that so the root system can grow down and it will look awesome!! Just make sure you spray RO water on the leaves daily to keep them free of salt. They are awesome plants!!

 

[Bluephish13]

yes i do feed him lots of meat. In fact most the time i try to feed some algae sheets he just ignores it. He seems to pick what he needs off the back wall. But some edible algae would be cool either way.

Spectrum pellets is almost the sole diet in my tank, and has been for years.

 

[Johnny C]

Looks awesome... think I might pick a few up myself!

 

[Bluephish13]

mangrove refuge update!

mangrove refuge update!

So thought i would update my mangrove thread. Im Getting really good growth on all my mangroves, both new leaf growth and root growth. I have not lost a single tree!

They all look about to pop new leaves. This one just opened, Im shocked it has such nice red color under the CFLS.

Roots took off immediately but slowed now that the leaves started growing. Cool to see the aiptasia growing on the roots and the tons of other life that hangs out on them.

full shot

And my non aquatic friend who has made a home in the tree tops. This spider is tiny, Any guess on a ID?

Thanks for looking!

 

[E_rock]

Can you Post or pm me the link to the seller?

 

[Landolakes]

That spider shot is awesome!

 

[Greg 45]

I purchased mine from Parker at Florida Coastal Mangroves
google them

 

[tmz]

would like to find some algae that my hippo tang would eat. That would really help keep him fat while not introducing more nutrients from store bought algae.


thanks

As Adam notes thie Paracanthurus heppatus needs meat. Adults are primarily canivores. My eight year old likes brine shrimp mysis, bloodworm, cyclopeeze, krill and Prime Reef Flake. It also ltakes a few spirulina flakes for the veggie side every few days.. Rarely touches nori. The other surgeon fish devour it.
Nutrient levels in algae's are going to be similar in terms of protein to phosphate ratios.

 

[tmz]

Those mangroves look great. if you haven't seen it yet this article may be of interest:

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2002/4/aafeature

this is from it:

"Planting Mangroves In A Tank Is Simple

Under natural conditions, mangroves do not only root in mud, but also in lime rock. Consequently, we can offer them some porous lime rocks placed in the upper area of the tank. The simplest way is if you push the propagules between two or three porous rocks, allowing their roots to grow into the pores. If the propagule already has developed fine roots when you get it, you can also lay those roots around a porous lime rock and carefully fix it with a rubber band, waiting for the roots to hold tightly to the rock This way it is easy to change the plant's location at a later time, though this should be avoided as far as possible because the plants strongly adjust to their environment, especially to the illumination."

 

[Dan49]

Your sump looks great! .In this months coral magazine there is an article about mangroves, they appear to be huge in the wild, In the home aquarium how do you care for them? growth rate? pruning?
thanks,Dan

 

[talon4x4]

Can you Post or pm me the link to the seller?

Found 'em for ya. Seller is 100% positive on 1140 feedback. Guess this is where I will be getting my new mangroves.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/bamboo-dyna...efaultDomain_0&var=&rt=nc&_trksid=p4340.l2562

I made the mistake of touching the leaves on mine. They had some salt buildup even though I sprayed with RO water religiously and wanted to clean it off. About 1 week later all plants were dead. DON'T TOUCH THE LEAVES!

I love the eggcrate idea!!! I had mine burried in sand that I put into a Tupperware container. If I looked at them wrong they would fall over, so I was constantly picking them up and reseating them.

 

[Bluephish13]

Erock

The seller is a ebay seller called Bamboo dynasty. They have all different amounts you can order so just skim threw and pick a batch. I think i got like 13 for 11$ and they always throw in extra.

TMZ

Thanks for the link! IN the main thank i increased my hippos feedings with more frozen meaty foods. He has calmed down a lot and not showing anymore signs of stress, But He still hates me in the tank. It makes it scary to do work in the display, they are called "Surgeon" fish for a reason right.

For the mangs placement I tried a few diff options. Some i suspended, some i set in the rocks, and one i had the roots in the aragonite sand with just the leaves sticking out of the water. All seem to work fine.

The mang with the roots in the sand and farthest submerged developed new leaf growth quickest, but Only by a week or 2. As the roots grow it starts to push the plant up out of the water.

dan49

When i first got them i heard your supposed to water/mist them daily. I started with the that, but started slacking on the misting with no ill effects. They went 2 weeks no misting just fine. Now i do once a week. After some reading It seems misting would be more useful for black mangroves as they expel the filtered out salt near the leaves, but red mangs have specialized roots to filter out the salt at the roots.

Mine are not big enough to prune yet. Just got to make sure no leaves fall in and decompose, Thats were the nutrients end up. So really if you have space for growth you don't need to prune. I have about 3-4ft of height for growth. I would probably have to get a bigger/not glass tank for the root systems if they get that big.

Something like a brute can with a tree coming out of it lol that would be awsome. Then instead of the micro spider ill get a parrot to hang out on the branches.

thanks for the comments