PDA

View Full Version : Mangrove Attempt


mcm13yn
Tue, 13th Oct 2009, 04:21 PM
I added 4 mangrove shoots to my refugium 2 weeks ago (30 Sep) and today I've noticed roots are starting to develop. I'm really excited and hope they do well.
txav8r
Tue, 13th Oct 2009, 04:38 PM
Give them lots of time and rinse the leaves with fresh water every once in a while. I had one that lost all it's leaves and went dormant for 3 months before it started budding again. I almost threw it out but the stalk was still green so I left it. It finally came around.
mcm13yn
Tue, 13th Oct 2009, 05:05 PM
Thanks for the tip. I want them to root into the live rock. Hopefully in a few years when I upgrade (don't tell the wife) I'll be able to transfer them.
barderer
Wed, 14th Oct 2009, 11:54 AM
Just be aware, the mangroves are largely for looks. Unless you have a LOT of them they are not very effective at removing nasties from the water. You are better off with a ball of macro.
ErikH
Wed, 14th Oct 2009, 12:17 PM
Just be aware, the mangroves are largely for looks. Unless you have a LOT of them they are not very effective at removing nasties from the water. You are better off with a ball of macro.

Very true. I do like mangroves for the biodiversity. I want to get some and I should! Small organisms like pods etc can use the roots as a home, or refuge away from other animals.
txav8r
Wed, 14th Oct 2009, 12:54 PM
Some one on here said you need one mangrove for each 1 to 2 gallons of total water volume to make a difference. I have 2 in ~100 gallons so I'm probably wasting my time as far as them removing nitrates but I like the way they look.
mcm13yn
Wed, 14th Oct 2009, 08:47 PM
Just be aware, the mangroves are largely for looks. Unless you have a LOT of them they are not very effective at removing nasties from the water. You are better off with a ball of macro.

I thought the mangroves would have a bigger impact on removing the nasties, but it's Ok, I'm really enjoying watching my system evolve. I do have a large ball of macro, to the point I had to rearrange my live rock in the refugium so it could get some light. I don't want to cut it up and loose the life that is living in it.
ReefCube
Wed, 14th Oct 2009, 11:49 PM
i love mangroves ..something different to look at and there have been claims they pull out nothing but bad stuff just not as much as chaeto but then again I hear chaeto pulls out good stuff as well. When the mangroves get established they will start to grow like crazy they need lots of light