Mangroves

[Jose padilla]

i want to introduce mangroves to my reef aquarium due to the fact they help with nitrates and phosphates as well as adding a aesthetic to my tank whats your opinions on them?

 

[sandswhitson]

They grow way to slow to assist much in the exporting of many nutrients. They do look cool though.

 

[justmee]

I don’t specifically have the article for the study of mangroves, but the study indicates that mangroves does little benefit for a reef aquarium, chaetos benefits most.

 

[Jose padilla]

I don’t specifically have the article for the study of mangroves, but the study indicates that mangroves does little benefit for a reef aquarium, chaetos benefits most.

I have chaeto in my sump and but i also wanna have mangroves for more of an aesthetic

 

[justmee]

I have chaeto in my sump and but i also wanna have mangroves for more of an aesthetic

Go for it if you like it, it’s not going to hurt your tank...

 

[oldpaddy]

I've had one growing for years and it has 4 sets of small leaves. My corals have grown faster.

 

[new2reefin]

Do mangroves need to be attached to rockwork? Is it possible just to have one sitting in the sump portion of an all in one?

 

[oldpaddy]

Here's mine. I added it on 8/4/16.

 

[oldpaddy]

Do mangroves need to be attached to rockwork? Is it possible just to have one sitting in the sump portion of an all in one?

Nope. You do have to prop them up so they don't sink into the water. You just want the bottom (fat end) in the water.

 

[garbled]

how deep in the water can the root ball be?

 

[oldpaddy]

how deep in the water can the root ball be?

I'm by no means a mangrove expert, but the roots should be fully submerged. I only have the bottom inch or two submerged. The tap roots grows pretty long, but I done have many little roots.

 

[new2reefin]

Do they require a lot of light. And also do the roots become invasive?

 

[Captain Quint]

I have chaeto in my sump and but i also wanna have mangroves for more of an aesthetic

Mixing both will be a mess unless you separate the two with egg crate or the likes.

I have some red mangroves but they are really just for looks as I like them. It would take a small forest of them to truly be effective in lowering nitrates.

 

[Captain Quint]

Do mangroves need to be attached to rockwork? Is it possible just to have one sitting in the sump portion of an all in one?

If you purchase mangrove propagules you can use a pencil to poke some holes in styrofoam and easily slide the propagules in and they will float in your fuge area. Propagules have no leaves and therefore no damage when preparing them to float and it's cool to watch them develop and mature sprouting good roots and leaves.

 

[Jose padilla]

Mixing both will be a mess unless you separate the two with egg crate or the likes.

I have some red mangroves but they are really just for looks as I like them. It would take a small forest of them to truly be effective in lowering nitrates.

I have chaeto in my sump but i was planning on having the mangroves in my display will it still be a mess?

 

[oldpaddy]

I have chaeto in my sump but i was planning on having the mangroves in my display will it still be a mess?

Doubtful. The whole plant is rather underwhelming. From leaves to roots.

 

[Captain Quint]

I have chaeto in my sump but i was planning on having the mangroves in my display will it still be a mess?

Personally, I think mangroves look great in a DT but the root systems do grow quite large which may or may not be an issue for you.

I've kept a few in my OF areas which hid to roots, I was able to keep my screen top in place and have the mangroves showing nicely. Again just really for the appearance. To me they look better in the OF area.