Mangrove for filtration

[WlsStargazer]

I am interested in using mangrove plants for filtration of my 180 gallon marine tank. I was wondering if the plants can be completely submerged in the tank? Everything I have read on the internet appears to have them in an open tank, or the sump with the tops above the water level and requiring a seperate lighting system. I cannot place them in my sump, due to the fact it is completely enclosed in the cabinet, and adding a light in the cabinet will cause over heating of my tank. If anyone uses mangrove for filtration, I would appreciate your assistance with this question. Thank You

 

[ChrisRD]

Hi Karen and :welcome:

I'm certainly no expert on this topic, but all the setups I've seen mangroves in have been open top refugiums with only the roots of the trees submerged. Everyone I know that's had them says they are slow growers and not very good at exporting nutrients (ie. not very useful for filtration).

A refugium with fast growing macro algaes would be more useful in that regard (plus it's also a great place to cultivate live foods for the rest of the system).

HTH

 

[WlsStargazer]

Thanks for the input, all information is appreciated.

 

[Anonymous]

I was seriously looking into a species tank that incorporated mangroves and collected these info webpages. Hope you find the info helpful.

http://advancedaquarist.com/issues/apr2002/feature.htm

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/mangrovetrees.htm

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-12/a ... /index.php

 

[WlsStargazer]

Thank you Lawdawg, I had read the artical in the first link you sent, but the other two were very helpful, and it was stated that the Red Mangrove can be completely submerged in the Aquarium. Thanks to You and Chris for responding to my question, I will try both the refugium, and completely submerging in my tanks. I have 2 tanks, and I will report back my opinions as to which one is more successful.

 

[WlsStargazer]

:? Well, upon further investigating into the matter of completely submerging Mangrove plants in the aquarium, I have decided that they should only be used in a refugium, if you are wanting them for filtration. Reason is that the plants leaves absorb the nitrites, and excess salt, and need to be rinsed daily, and once the leaves have turned brown, they need to be removed and disgarded, so they dont "re-deposit" the nitrites, and other bad trace elements back into the aquarium. They may not be worth all the trouble just to aid with filtration, since I have a wonderful protein skimmer, that works perfectly. I was hoping for a more natural look, and filtration to boot! Thanks again to all that responded to my post. You are the greatest!

 

[Chubosco]

I have had a red mangrove since October and it still hasn't put out a root or leaf. About to give up. Top is out of the water and I never move it. I thought I could grow one because I grow algae so well.

 

[jmsandy]

I have a mangrove and it works wonders. It is in my refugium with DSB. I actually do not use light at all, I just open up the stand door and let the natural sunlight come in and it is growing fine. The occasional trimming takes place like once every 2/3 weeks. The roots have really taken grasp of the DSB and I have had nothing but love levels of N. Just my two cents...

 

[Chubosco]

Is there a danger of the roots bursting the tank?

 

[cindre2000]

If the plant gets big enough there is a chance; however, they grow so slow in reef tanks, I don't think its size will sneak up on you like that.

 

[jmsandy]

no offense cindre2000, I respectfully disagree. The pressure needed to burst a glass tank is not even in the ballpark of the pressure a mangrove's roots would expand.

 

[Ret_Talbot]

You may find this article interesting--there are a few pics too.

A Biotope-Specific Refugium - Plants Can Add to the Health of Your Saltwater Aquarium at this link: http://petcare.suite101.com/article.cfm ... c_refugium

Also this one:

Growing Mangroves for Aquarists - Mangroves Can Make an Excellent Addition to Your Saltwater System at this link: http://petcare.suite101.com/article.cfm ... _aquarists

Keep us posted! Good luck...

 

[Ret_Talbot]

You may find this article interesting--there are a few pics too.

A Biotope-Specific Refugium - Plants Can Add to the Health of Your Saltwater Aquarium at this link: http://petcare.suite101.com/article.cfm ... c_refugium

Also this one:

Growing Mangroves for Aquarists - Mangroves Can Make an Excellent Addition to Your Saltwater System at this link: http://petcare.suite101.com/article.cfm ... _aquarists

Keep us posted! Good luck...