Mangroves

I have a 75 gallon saltwater tank and have six mangroves growing in my dt. I have had them for over four months and they are all doing really well. I just tuck them behind my rockwork in the back of the tank.

 

how tall are they, how much of the plant is underwater? got any pics? ;D

 

I like mangroves and think they are very interesting to grow, however what do you hope to accomplish? Mangroves are not a very effective at taking up nutrients compared to other methods. Also, if your growing other macro alge competition can be a problem.

These threads have a lot of info about mangrove systems:
Show your Mangrove Systems - Reef Central Online Community
Mangrove Experiment - 50 Gallon tank - Reef Central Online Community

 

I've just always wanted some, and now that i have an open top tank, i beilieve its possible. Also no other macro algaes that i know of are growing in my tank.

 

Cool, go for it, they are a great challenge and a unique addition. I have always been fond of them, but have not had a system that is well suited for them.

 

I think this will be great because i can keep fish and feed them enough without worrying about trates and phos rising, also the mangroves provide a great looking home for fish, and my mantis will love it i bet.

Feww questions though, well LEDs be ok? Is it ok if the whole plant is underwater for some time? do the roots need to be in sand? how depp does the sand have to be?

 

Mangroves are not very good are removing nutrients from the water, so, I wouldn't count on being able to feed more without worrying about N or P. chaetomorpha or caulerpa would be MUCH better at this. Mangroves do not remove significant nutrients from the water, but instead rely more on nutrient uptake from the soil through their roots. With lots of them it may help, but you would need a large sump packed full of them to make a noticeable difference and the difference would still likely be smaller than a small amount of chaeto.

Probably, but the spectrum is likely wrong. They will prefer yellower light. A 5000K-6700K metal halide is probably best. With say a 15000K led, I don't think they will grow fast or remove much nutrients.

They can sprout fully submerged, but will do better if part is out of the water. Either way, they will grow out of the water.

The roots do not have to be in the sand, they will grow down to the sand.
This can form interesting structures and habitats, but it is diffucult to accomplish and takes a long time. Most people are not successful. They get most of their nutrients from the sand so, a nutrient enriched substrate such as miracle mud may help them grow, but then they will not need to take as much nutrients from the water.

Here is another good mangrove link:
MangroveFAQs

Edit: and another:
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-12/ac/feature/index.php

 

Yes, there are quite a few sources to show you wont get the filtration power out of mangroves like you will say ulva & chaeto. Remember mangroves are more of a tree than an algae.

I cant rememebr the source to quote from but I remember reading to use mangroves as an "effective" form of filtration it takes alot like 1:5gallons or less. I dont remember the exact number but it was alot of trees.

 

Ok well there goes that plan sorta.

As far as spectrum, would your typical 46w light bulb be ok?

So it looks like i will be floating them for some time.

Why aren't many people successful? Seems pretty simple to me, get a container put some miracle mud in it and cut holes for flow. OR float them and let them grow to your tank height, then plant them in the SB.

I'll probably go with method 2.

 

I realize the filtration isn't the best, maybe i'll run some cheato with them too, i thought the rule was 1 mangrove to 1 gallon?