Mangroves.. How much to add? Vendors??

[OzoneParkGuy]

Read a few articles on the Red & Black mangroves and how they export nutrients out of the water and how they filter out the saltwater and the such. Now I came across an article that states that in order for the mangrove plant to be used effectively in the home aquaria you need ALOT OF THEM!! The article did not state how much or how many to use. Just the care and locale of the mangroves and how it is being introduced to the home aquaria.
My question is How much or how many mangroves do you add to your setup. Is there a calculation for this? Do you just add 10-20 or more and go on your way. Anyone???? Mods, Vendors in particular.

 

[jerl77]

i have 15 in my 120 grow like crazy for me

 

[OzoneParkGuy]

@ Jerl.... ok.... Now how has it played a role in your setup as far as nutrient export. Have you noticed anything diff. Numbers are what I am after in this search. Also are you running your Protein Skimmer less?

 

[tlpmyd]

i know they eat up alot of mag, and i heard you need many to actually benefit completely filtration wise, other than that they are still pretty cool to keep i use to have like 50 in my sump area, only think is they like misted fresh water regularly which is a bit of a pain.

 

[Imbarrie]

Are you sure you heard they eat mag?


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[jerl77]

dont really see a diff and yes my skimmer is still going they look really cool i really dont test so i dont know if they make any diff sorry

 

[OzoneParkGuy]

Are you sure you heard they eat mag?


Sent from my iPhone using Reefs

Anything constructive to say.. ^^ besides that?

 

[OzoneParkGuy]

i know they eat up alot of mag, and i heard you need many to actually benefit completely filtration wise, other than that they are still pretty cool to keep i use to have like 50 in my sump area, only think is they like misted fresh water regularly which is a bit of a pain.

I've read the same about the misting of the leaves to wash off the salt that accumulates on them. I also heard of there demand for magnesium and that one should test regularly for mag depletion.

Both you and jerl say you have keep them.. what about root structure?? If kept in the sandbed wouldn't the sand be too fine to support the roots. Would the roots overtake the entire sandbed area.?

Thanks jerl for your honnesty.. A+

 

[tlpmyd]

when you say sand bed do you mean in the fuge? thats where i had all of mine and no they didnt give the sand bed any problems for me. if you dont mist on the reg. all the leaves fall off and your left with nothing lol. they are fairly easy to maintane you dont have to stick them in the sand some people stick them in between live rock and the do great, ive seen some completely submerged that grow leaves under water, i never tried that but it looked cool. let me add i dont have anymore just because misting was getting to be a pain. if i can find an auto mister (i know that sounds lazy lol) then i might start putting them in my fuge again.

 

[Imbarrie]

Back at ya.

I wanted to confirm that they take up mag. That being the case I don't see where that would be desirable in a reef tank.


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[tlpmyd]

mangroves create a cellular process whereby the element magnesium (Mg) is taken into the plant's cells, forcing out sodium (Na) ions. Therefore, growing Red Mangrove in a closed system such as an aquarium requires close monitoring of the magnesium balance as the plants will remove not only the nitrogen wastes in the water, but magnesium as well. When magnesium is depleted in a tank, the plants will turn yellow or exhibit other signs of salt stress, including shrivelling. Now thats back by science, not my work, and if you dont believe me just google it. The bottom line is do what you want, they are going to be more for looks rather then help with filtration if you dont put alot in your thank so the more you can put in your tank/fuge the better filtration they will help. hope this helps my friend.

 

[OzoneParkGuy]

Back at ya.

I wanted to confirm that they take up mag. That being the case I don't see where that would be desirable in a reef tank.


Sent from my iPhone using Reefs

Ur saying that.... but corals do the same. They deplete alk, cal, strontium, and trace elements aswell. Your turn...

 

[OzoneParkGuy]

mangroves create a cellular process whereby the element magnesium (mg) is taken into the plant's cells, forcing out sodium (na) ions. Therefore, growing red mangrove in a closed system such as an aquarium requires close monitoring of the magnesium balance as the plants will remove not only the nitrogen wastes in the water, but magnesium as well. When magnesium is depleted in a tank, the plants will turn yellow or exhibit other signs of salt stress, including shrivelling. Now thats back by science, not my work, and if you dont believe me just google it. The bottom line is do what you want, they are going to be more for looks rather then help with filtration if you dont put alot in your thank so the more you can put in your tank/fuge the better filtration they will help. Hope this helps my friend.

+++++5
Thus the reason for chaeto not growing in some peoples tanks. Low magnesium levels.

So no issues within the sandbed in the fuge. Seems I may need to look into another seperate tank just for mangroves. I'm very much interested in pursuing this. When its ready I guess l'll put a thread up with results.

 

[tlpmyd]

When I had chaeto and mangroves in the same fuge the mangroves kinda absorb all the nutients and made the chaeto slower growing since I tried lots of algae in my tank now I only use chaeto just because it's the easiest once I get my new tank/sump online I may have a mangrove bed but we will have to see still not sure

 

[jerl77]

mine are in 5 inch of sand no problem

I've read the same about the misting of the leaves to wash off the salt that accumulates on them. I also heard of there demand for magnesium and that one should test regularly for mag depletion.

Both you and jerl say you have keep them.. what about root structure?? If kept in the sandbed wouldn't the sand be too fine to support the roots. Would the roots overtake the entire sandbed area.?

Thanks jerl for your honnesty.. A+

 

[crxin]

reefcleaners.org have them if you are looking for a vendor

 

[beerfish]

Here's a piece that I wrote on refugiums, and why I don't generally advise mangroves.

http://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum/general-discussion/77857-refugium-primer.html