Mangroves

[wcolwell88]

I've been reading about using mangroves for natural nitrate reduction. What are they and how do they work?

[sharkmatt]

They are a plant but they naturally grow out of the water so aren't the greatest choice for a tank to be honest. I prefer to use Chaetomorpha sp. algae for nitrate reduction. It's very hardy and very easy to grow.

[wcolwell88]

They are a plant but they naturally grow out of the water so aren't the greatest choice for a tank to be honest. I prefer to use Chaetomorpha sp. algae for nitrate reduction. It's very hardy and very easy to grow.

I just looked at some of that Chaetomorpha. Sounds like that would be a much better choice. I think I might buy some from Doctors Foster and Smith. I have a small in tank refuge I was gonna use to try and grow copepods or brine shrimp.
http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/group/10633/product.web
It is about 8"Lx4"Wx8"tall. It has a Rio 50 powerhead on the side of it which seems to be giving it a pretty good water flow inside. I have it on the back of the tank and it gets a good bit of light. Would this be a good place for the Chaeto? And how would the copepods or brine shrimp react to it?

[USCavalry19d]

Mangroves are actually a tree. There are different types of mangroves which grow in different areas. Most mangroves grow in water however you can find white mangroves which grow more on land. It really isnt a good idea to have mangroves growing in your show tank however you could very easily have then grow in a sump or refugium. It is said that one mangrove will maintain around 50 gallons of water. Mangroves are also more trouble to keep since you have to clean the leaves. In the wild rain will naturally clean them however in the home you must clean the salt off yourself. Hope this helps
Greg

[sharkmatt]

should be fine for the Chaeto. The 'pods will love it. They'll hide in it and you'll get loads!

[clown-lover]

PM NolaPete. I know he has used them in the past and has suggested them in these forums before. He should be able to give you some first hand information about the use, care etc on those.

[wcolwell88]

should be fine for the Chaeto. The 'pods will love it. They'll hide in it and you'll get loads!

Cool, I'd like to get a scooter blenny or a dragonet in there one day after the tank is mature.

[Almondsaz]

I looked into getting a mangrove and my reef store said they were mostly for looks, you won't see an appreciable difference in nitrate reduction because of it...and they are slow growing and get tall. Chaeto is a great choice, mine is filled with pds right now.

[darthgoby]

I have one in my sump/refugium and it is now growing like nobody's business. I don't know if it makes a difference in my tank but it is growing like crazy now.

[ricsreef]

I have some Red Mangroves in my refug and they are really cool,They dont get that big either.I also have Chaeto in there too,every little bit helps,plus the Mangroves are a good conversation piece.

[wcolwell88]

I was looking at some pics of red mangroves and they were about 6 feet tall.

[blackwolfXKAV]

It all depends on plant numbers, and size. If you have many smaller mangroves growing together, you will be able to have a stonger impact than if you use one or two ornamentally. Or, you may choose to grow fewer trees, but let them grow larger (usually not an option in most setups)

Though they are slow growers, they do have one key advantage over chaeto algaes. While the macroalgaes do reduce nutrients, they (the algae) are less secure within the algae and prone to re-release back into your system. Mangroves encorporate these nutrients into the wood and leaves, and lock them away. *Note, leaf removal after dropping off tree is crucial*

you'll find this thread very useful, as it not only has a discussion, but also is loaded with reliable links: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=788426&highlight=mangrove

Enjoy!

Black Wolf

[BadRoma1]

I have both, chaeto and mangrove. i don't wipe leaves, but i do take the bad out. i don't know about the difference without them, but i do like them and don't mind either one of them, chaeto or mangrove. i keep mine in refugium. i've got tons of chaeto to a point that i have no more room for it, so i'm going to set up another refugium for my other tank. either way, nitrates are super high and there are tons of pods and other kritters hanging out in chaeto. get either or both, doesn't matter