Mangrove quantity??

aquablizz · Sep 9, 2016

I have a fish only tank at this point..

Having always battled high nitrates in my system I am considering adding some Mangrove plants to see if they would be beneficial or should I just add more macro algae instead. My phosphates are never a problem but I just can't seem to get a handle on the nitrates.. All the fish are doing well.

I have heard that mangroves could possibly help but I would think that Caulerpa given it's mass would be a better filter..

Is there a rule of thumb for the quantity needed if I do go with the mangroves. My display tank is 75 gal and I am running a 30 gal fug. Also will it be necessary to use Miracle Mud to keep the mangrove's healthy??

Thanks in advance
Blizz

bios · Sep 9, 2016

Mangroves are not so simple Iodium magnesium and others integrators
Why dont you consider a system like mine i had a growth of caulerpa in the sump light inverted respect
dt and no nitrates or phosfates

bios · Sep 9, 2016

This is mine

trio91 · Sep 9, 2016

you can float them on Styrofoam instead of using mud in your fuge...personally i just never got into the mud stuff.

make a square, poke holes and just wedge the pods in with the green portion above the water line...and then let them float. they normally sell them in multiples so i'd start off with about 5 pods and go from there . there is really no science to them (as far as i know) but keep in mind they are slow growers so don't expect a tree to sprout in a week

they do work IMO again they just do not grow as fast as cheato or caulerpa.

trio91 · Sep 9, 2016

they will accumulate deposits on their leaves so once they begin to sprout, you will need to spray them down with water as far as maintenance. eventually their roots will extend and you will be able to remove them from the float....and maybe anchor them down to some rubble or something

Randy Holmes-Farley · Sep 11, 2016

FWIW, I don't think mangroves are all that useful, unless you really want them for other reasons. They grow more slowly than macroalgae, for instance, so take up less nutrients.