Mangrove Lagoon In A Jar

Perry · Sep 15, 2019

Hey nano and pico owners, I wanted to share a pico project I started last week. I pulled the mangroves from my DT, and threw this little experiment together. Super simple

I already had sand, jar, rock from DT, and the mangroves, so why not, had the table too, lol. I also have a heater if need be, and added the Korilla Pico powerhead from BRS, purchased for the project. Now there is definitely life in there already, used water from DT to aid in cycle, sand was not live, but cleaned thoroughly prior to use, with RODI rinse. The light was purchased off amazon and suspends from ceiling, using a 25 watt GE led 6500k. That's it, that simple

Cheers,

InkedReefLady · Sep 15, 2019

What a cool little project!

That are your long term plans for it? Inhabitants?

ScottR · Sep 15, 2019

This is so cool. Sounds like a project I’d do. Following along. Please update.

lonelyfloat · Sep 15, 2019

Following!

Perry · Sep 15, 2019

InkedReefLady said:
What a cool little project!

That are your long term plans for it? Inhabitants?

Hi, and thank you for checking out the project

So, this was literally thrown together, as I did not have the heart to let the mangroves die, since I pulled them from my cube recently. The cube is LPS softy dominant, and runs basically blue only, it is an AIO, no sump to hide the mangroves in, so the white light needed to support the mangroves put too much spill into my mainly blue tank. That said, the project was born. It all really came together with pretty much all I needed to sustain the mangroves in my reef junk drawer, LOL.
My main goal is to sustain and grow the mangroves. They will essentially be the filter for this tank. The sandbed is rather deep, so it too will sustain root system, as well as additional filtration. The small, let's say 2-3 lb little bomby rock in the center adds additional filtration as well. It is very mature, and brought over worms, pods, sponges, stars, etc. I have already seen a 2" bristle worm out on the sandbed scavenging. So, I believe I could definitely have some sort of inverts in there for sure, and possibly a nano fish. As far as corals, next week I will take some shroom and toadstool clones and see how they do with low par scenario. I am certain they will thrive, but look very brown under 6500k ambient light. That is ok for now, I do not want to push things, as there is not ATO for this one, and I am certain it will require daily hands on maintenance. That said, I want to see the evaporation rate daily, this way I will know how dedicated I will need to be before adding life, well life not already there

Cheers

Perry · Sep 15, 2019

ScottR said:
This is so cool. Sounds like a project I’d do. Following along. Please update.

Thank You,
I will, it looks to be a project that will be different then most we see. This was mainly a decor balancing of the room, as well as a place to grow or sustain the mangroves. I started this a week ago, and am finding more interest in it daily, and am certain, knowing me, it will evolve to be more, LOL

I will keep you guys posted. Cheers

Perry · Sep 15, 2019

squiderp12 said:
Following!

Thank You for your interest

Cheers

Perry · Sep 15, 2019

On a side not guys, I do not really think I will experience much of a cycle, so far the water has been crystal clear, with no signs of algae. There was a light foam on the surface of the water, but it is sorting working itself out. I suspect due to the new sand. Not really sure, does not look bacteria related. Also, I have the powerhead aimed to create a tornado effect, so the water moves in a circle. Pretty cool

InkedReefLady · Sep 15, 2019

I just love mangroves. Seeing your from FL, I assume you collected your mangroves from the beach? We picked up pods off the beach a few years ago and have been growing them to trees as well.

Did you grow yours directly in saltwater or did you have another method?

Perry · Sep 15, 2019

InkedReefLady said:
I just love mangroves. Seeing your from FL, I assume you collected your mangroves from the beach? We picked up pods off the beach a few years ago and have been growing them to trees as well.

Did you grow yours directly in saltwater or did you have another method?

My LFS got them from beach here in Volusia County, grows them in LFS in both brackish and salt. The seeds float up through Ponce Inlet, I also surf, so I could collect the seeds, but purchased these with 2 rows of leaves, lol

I was born and raised in Ormond Beach, the beach has been a major part of my life for 47 years, lol.

truetricia · Sep 15, 2019

I love this! Can't wait to see what happens!

Perry · Sep 15, 2019

truetricia said:
I love this! Can't wait to see what happens!

Thanks, it should be fun, I appreciate you following along

Cheers

Perry · Sep 22, 2019

Things humming along, starting to get algae film on glass, moved a hermit and a neon green toadie to the jar, this morning I see polyps coming out on toadstool, going to be a cool little tank

MombasaLionfish · Sep 22, 2019

Nice reminds me of my Jar tank: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/jar-tank.599291/

Perry · Sep 22, 2019

This mist bottle is simply the best, puts the finest spray out, great for daily misting of mangroves. Lowered the light to 12" over mangroves too, so misting will be quite important

Cheers

InkedReefLady · Sep 22, 2019

Perry said:
This mist bottle is simply the best, puts the finest spray out, great for daily misting of mangroves. Lowered the light to 12" over mangroves too, so misting will be quite important Cheers

We're going to be suspending our AI Prime HD over the mangrove anemone set up and trying to figure out the best height. I wonder how often you'll have to raise the light due to mangrove growth!

Perry · Sep 22, 2019

InkedReefLady said:
We're going to be suspending our AI Prime HD over the mangrove anemone set up and trying to figure out the best height. I wonder how often you'll have to raise the light due to mangrove growth!

This is exactly why I moved my mangroves to a dedicated setup, I find they do better with less watts, but whiter light. They did not prefer my Kessil a360we as it was too blue, my main tank looked awkward with 6500k, spilling into a rather blue only tank. If I had a sump, no worries, in the sump and cabinet they go. If the tank was not in main room, I would run opposite cycle, but would still have spill during non lit hours. In a perfect world, for me, I would prefer in sump opposite light cycle. I know that one day in the future, I will have a fuge, sps bare bottom tank, so these mangroves may come in handy in a future project, this is why this jar project was created

Cheers

Hogdaddy · Oct 9, 2019

Perry said:
My LFS got them from beach here in Volusia County, grows them in LFS in both brackish and salt. The seeds float up through Ponce Inlet, I also surf, so I could collect the seeds, but purchased these with 2 rows of leaves, lol I was born and raised in Ormond Beach, the beach has been a major part of my life for 47 years, lol.

What LFS...will have to stop in and get a mangrove next time I visit my home town NSB!