Mangrove for refugium?

Norboo · #1 02/04/2006, 05:43 AM

What type of mangrove for refugium? Where is a good place to purchase the seeds?

Are they easy to care for?

Thank you.

mmgm · #2 02/04/2006, 12:47 PM

I tried growing mangroves last year. The issue with mangroves are as follows:

1. It takes about a year before they get large enough to be able to pull nutrients out of your system.
2. The mangrove roots will eventually pry through any glass or acrylic tank you may use to grow them. For this reason I would suggest growing them in a Rubbermaid stock tank.

IMO not worth the effort compared to macro algae that can start exporting nutrients within a month......

Norboo · #3 02/04/2006, 02:12 PM

I am more interested in the looks than filtering.

crrichey · #4 02/04/2006, 04:17 PM

They are not very good at removing nutrients, they are mostly for looks.

Triterium · #5 02/04/2006, 05:14 PM

Norboo,
Red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle)
www.banana-tree.com (cheap and highest quality)
Yes they are easy to care for if you provide what they need. Bright light, DSB, and room to grow.

They are good for nutrient export, but are not in most setups. Many plants in ideal conditions can use a lot of nutrients. I have 100-200 plants that have gone from 2 leaves per plant up to 50+ leaves on some in less than 1 year. Macroalgae does not grow well in my system so im sure the mangroves pull out more. This is rare and 94.7% of the time macroalgae will work better. But since you are looking for the looks, as was I, that really doesnt matter.

mmgm · #6 02/04/2006, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Triterium
Norboo,
Red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle)
www.banana-tree.com (cheap and highest quality)
Yes they are easy to care for if you provide what they need. Bright light, DSB, and room to grow.

They are good for nutrient export, but are not in most setups. Many plants in ideal conditions can use a lot of nutrients. I have 100-200 plants that have gone from 2 leaves per plant up to 50+ leaves on some in less than 1 year. Macroalgae does not grow well in my system so im sure the mangroves pull out more. This is rare and 94.7% of the time macroalgae will work better. But since you are looking for the looks, as was I, that really doesnt matter.

Sounds cool can you post some pics?

Triterium · #7 02/04/2006, 06:34 PM

Norboo · #8 02/04/2006, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Triterium

WOW! Nice!

What is the difference between Black and red mangrove?

Triterium · #9 02/04/2006, 07:50 PM

Red mangroves are better suited for growing in constant salt water, or so ive been told. Ive read they live farther away from the cost and only get tidal waters.

mmgm · #10 02/04/2006, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Triterium

Very nice set up you have there..... I bet your skimmer doesn't work very much with that set up..... Also, I think it was a good decision to plant in a Rubbermaid molded tank......

Very nice......

Triterium · #11 02/04/2006, 11:05 PM

Yep my skimmer doesnt do much but i leave it on to help aerate the water.

Here it is 10/11/2005 to give an idea of the growth

Samala · #12 02/04/2006, 11:06 PM

I'm jealous!

>Sarah

Triterium · #13 02/04/2006, 11:07 PM

and 5/1/2005, blah what a bunch of sickly looking mangroves

Triterium · #14 02/04/2006, 11:09 PM

I would trade it for a tank that could grow algae

Im baffled as to why macroalgae will not grow

mmgm · #15 02/04/2006, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Triterium
I would trade it for a tank that could grow algae Im baffled as to why macroalgae will not grow

Your beautiful Mangroves are probably starving out any chance for the macro algae to grow.... Nice job....

sunfishh · #16 02/08/2006, 08:28 PM

Wow Triterium 94.7%. Can I see your calculations...lol