mangroves in your sump/fuge

Does anyone have mangroves in there sump/fuge, I want to make my sump/fuge a secondary display and want to see how mangroves look growing out of the top.

 

Lots of people use mangroves , just remember to keep an eye on you magnesium level and to mist the leaves a few times a week with fresh water to remove salt.

 

do that use up alot of mag?

 

Yes I use the Red Mangrove and Chaeto in my 25 gallon fuge. If at all possible, purchase propagules instead of seeds. These have the highest survivability rate. Additionally, Rhizophora mangle (Red Mangroves) are probably your best bet. They are among the hardiest species available, as well as the fastest growing.

Roots should be in good condition with no signs of deterioration. Tips of roots will be pink in color which signifies recent growth and a healthy plant. Stalk should be uniformly colored with no signs of unusual dryness or brittleness.

Some dealers sell mangroves with roots incased in small plastic baskets similar to those used with some freshwater aquarium and pond plants. These are ideal but not necessary. However, roots sold incased in substrate-filled baskets are more likely to have healthy, undamaged roots and definitely worth the extra price they sometimes demand.

Like other new editions to our systems, mangroves should be acclimated slowly and carefully. The drip method would probably be your best choice. (using airline tubing to slowly replace water mangroves have been shipped in) In some cases, mail-order mangroves will arrive dry or near to it. In this case, ensure that the temperature of the mangrove itself is at or as close to the temperature of the system water as possible before adding it. Just a little FYI: The biggest problem with providing lighting for mangroves oftentimes has to do with providing too much light or too intense lighting. A good rule is to ensure that ambient temperature around plant extending from water does not exceed 85 degrees. If you can feel heat from your lamp near your mangroves, it is probably too hot.
Moderate lighting from a single incandescent plant bulb or full-spectrum bulb will more than suffice in most cases. Anything over 10K in spectrum is probably not ideal and a lesser rating may prove most beneficial. If using metal halide lamps, mangroves should receive indirect lighting to avoid being damaged by intensity.
Placing auxiliary or refugium near a well lit window would provide ideal light, though draft and/or excessive heat needs to be taken into consideration.

MAINTENANCE AND CARE: As mentioned previously, mangroves are not natural marine plants. However, they do have amazing adaptation abilities. Mangroves have the ability to excrete excessive salt through their leaves, making survivability in saltwater possible. In nature, frequent rain rinses salt from mangrove leaves. In captivity, this action must be simulated by the aquarist. This is easly accomplished through daily misting with fresh water in a spray bottle.
Mangroves do not require strong current and are actually negatively effected by it in some cases. Mild to medium current will more than suffice.
Supplementation of iron or other elements is truly not necessary in marine aquariums and can oftentimes lead to unwanted algal growth. Mangroves can easily obtain the elements they need to thrive through the water column in most cases. If you do decide to dose iron or other elements, close monitoring should be emphasized to avoid over-dosing which would lead to other problems.

Hope this will help you!!!

Out,
FLSharkvictim

 

Dan, I use the red Mangoorves in my fuge and I just ordered some more of them so I will post some pictures for you asap. I have a few already in the sump as you can see in my profile.

Out,
FLSharkvictim

120 fish only tank

 

Dan
This is the best bet for red mangroves.
I have gotten themfrom these guys and they are the healthiest I have seen.
12 SUPER LOW LIGHT MANGROVES MANGROVE SALTWATER AQUARIUM REFUGIUM SUMP PLANTS | eBay