Sump Mangrove Sanctuary **pics**

[ikon]

after some advice from a local reefer, i started my own mangrove colony in my sump. I just poked some holes in a 1/2" styrafoam block and fed the stems through so the roots are constantly submerged and the stems/leaves stay dry. I have read that mangroves make good filters, similar to protein skimmers (go ahead, bash), and do not require much light to thrive! garf.org has been doing research with mangroves in reef tanks for quite awhile now as some of you are probably aware..here is a link to their article:http/www.garf.org/news30p1.html

here are some pics i took, i plan to raise the light fixture a bit in the sump and shift it back so it reaches the mangroves better; let me know your thoughts!

 

[Redstratplayer1]

Nice



In the words of ski
Redstrat wants!!!

 

[Lynden]

I have been thinking for some time about a eustarine setup in a 77 gallon tank, that included a small amount of rock with plenty of mangrove roots. The only factor that limits this decision is the speed of mangrove groth. How quickly do your mangroves' roots grow?

Also, you are correct in the idea that they will make a good filter. Photosynthetic refugiums, in addition to granular ferric oxide, are thought to be able to completely replace a skimmer.

-Lynden

 

[ikon]

well ive only had them in the sump for 2 hours so i havent been able to study growth yet..ill keep you updated though.

 

[AMS]

Looks good. I am a big fan of mangrove refugiums myself. Very slow growers they are, but very efficient at removing the organics, especially p04.

and do not require much light to thrive!

Mangroves can do OK under low lighting but they really need at least T5's to thrive.

 

[ikon]

AMS...currently i have two standard flourescents over my sump, 1-36w 5k and 1-36w actinic on a crappy shop fixture mag ballast. its a 48" fixture but in reality the mangroves are not getting complete wattage because they are not under the whole light, really only 8" of it. do you think it would be worth it toremove that and mount this 96w retro fit above them? i can mount it so that they are directly under the whole fixture:
http/www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod...p;N=2004+113347

 

[Redstratplayer1]

For mangoves you can buy cheaper plant grow bulbs and ballests from HD.

 

[SkiFletch]

For mangoves you can buy cheaper plant grow bulbs and ballests from HD.

Agreed, look into cheaper compact plant-grow fixtures. Great idea on the styrofoam, give that "local reefer" a for a really creative idea

 

[rhysiboy]

hey by the way on this program at the weekend (wild caribean) it showed how much life lived in the magroves