Mangrove question
- Thread starter meowzer
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picoseahorses2
Member
Red mangroves are the ideal mangrove to grow in a saltwater aquarium set-up. Not only are they readily available, but they are also the most aquatic variety of mangrove. Aesthetically-speaking, red mangroves have one of the more interesting appearances, owing to their characteristic aerial prop roots. While it is certainly possible to plant a mangrove propagule directly into the substrate of your display tank or refugium, this technique will not yield the aerial prop roots seen in the wild. The procedure outlined in this article, however, has been shown to increase your chances of nurturing dramatic aerial prop roots.
Because red mangroves can be grown hydroponicly, you can achieve aesthetically pleasing and natural looking effects by suspending them on a rod affixed over the tank. The roots, suspended above the substrate, then develop by extending themselves out and downward toward the substrate. As they grow, they become thicker in order to support the weight of the tree above water (two-thirds of the propagule can be above water). Using this technique, it is possible to continue raising the propagule on its rod each time the roots come in contact with the substrate. In addition to looking good, this type of root structure provides the best habitat for any invertebrates you plan to house in the tank.
As the mangroves grow, you will need to prune them. In the wild, red mangroves can grow to the height of a three story house; however, they do grow very slowly. Pruning mangroves is not difficult, but you do need to be careful. Most importantly, wait until the axial tip has branched before cutting. There is some interesting literature on growing bonsai mangrove trees, and some excellent results have been achieved by individuals adept at that style of plant husbandry.
There are a few things to look out for in terms of water chemistry and nutrient levels in association with keeping mangroves in your system. Red mangroves may affect the magnesium levels in the system, and you should monitor this closely. Also, mangroves, like macroalgae, help export phosphates and nitrates from the system. This is good, especially since mangroves are better at storing these nutrients than macroalgae (which is prone to releasing stored nutrients back into the system when it dies back). By being vigilant about removing any dead mangrove leaves from the water, the nutrients are easily exported from the system. However, because mangroves grow slowly, they do not produce biomass at the rate of macroalgae, and, for this reason, mangroves are ineffective on their own for nutrient export.
It is essential to rinse the mangrove leaves regularly (preferably once a day but at least several times a week). The reason for this is that salt accumulates on the leaves and will eventually kill the tree if left unchecked. In the wild, mangroves rely on sudden, intense tropical thunderstorms to cleanse their leaves with freshwater. Setting up an automated sprinkler that delivers the equivalent of your system’s evaporated water on a daily basis in the form of a freshwater “rain storm” can be remarkably effective. Not only does this take care of the daily topping off-chore, but it also simulates a more natural state for the mangroves themselves.
Finally, some aquarists have reported better than average success with mangroves by creating a tidal flow in the tank using a controller or even just a pump on a timer. No doubt a tidal environment produces the best aerial prop roots due to the exposure of the roots to the air, but it is not necessary to grow healthy mangroves as part of your saltwater system.
ps sorry its so long i just wanted to give you all the info u needed
Because red mangroves can be grown hydroponicly, you can achieve aesthetically pleasing and natural looking effects by suspending them on a rod affixed over the tank. The roots, suspended above the substrate, then develop by extending themselves out and downward toward the substrate. As they grow, they become thicker in order to support the weight of the tree above water (two-thirds of the propagule can be above water). Using this technique, it is possible to continue raising the propagule on its rod each time the roots come in contact with the substrate. In addition to looking good, this type of root structure provides the best habitat for any invertebrates you plan to house in the tank.
As the mangroves grow, you will need to prune them. In the wild, red mangroves can grow to the height of a three story house; however, they do grow very slowly. Pruning mangroves is not difficult, but you do need to be careful. Most importantly, wait until the axial tip has branched before cutting. There is some interesting literature on growing bonsai mangrove trees, and some excellent results have been achieved by individuals adept at that style of plant husbandry.
There are a few things to look out for in terms of water chemistry and nutrient levels in association with keeping mangroves in your system. Red mangroves may affect the magnesium levels in the system, and you should monitor this closely. Also, mangroves, like macroalgae, help export phosphates and nitrates from the system. This is good, especially since mangroves are better at storing these nutrients than macroalgae (which is prone to releasing stored nutrients back into the system when it dies back). By being vigilant about removing any dead mangrove leaves from the water, the nutrients are easily exported from the system. However, because mangroves grow slowly, they do not produce biomass at the rate of macroalgae, and, for this reason, mangroves are ineffective on their own for nutrient export.
It is essential to rinse the mangrove leaves regularly (preferably once a day but at least several times a week). The reason for this is that salt accumulates on the leaves and will eventually kill the tree if left unchecked. In the wild, mangroves rely on sudden, intense tropical thunderstorms to cleanse their leaves with freshwater. Setting up an automated sprinkler that delivers the equivalent of your system’s evaporated water on a daily basis in the form of a freshwater “rain storm” can be remarkably effective. Not only does this take care of the daily topping off-chore, but it also simulates a more natural state for the mangroves themselves.
Finally, some aquarists have reported better than average success with mangroves by creating a tidal flow in the tank using a controller or even just a pump on a timer. No doubt a tidal environment produces the best aerial prop roots due to the exposure of the roots to the air, but it is not necessary to grow healthy mangroves as part of your saltwater system.
ps sorry its so long i just wanted to give you all the info u needed
meowzer
Moderator
Originally Posted by reefkprZ
http:///forum/post/2891840
a mangrove wont grow submerged, so placing it "in" the tank will kill it. if your looking for a plant to be in your tank, check into halimeda it will grow quite tall and bushy submerged.
OH, so it is for out of the tank???? I thought the roots can go into the sand?
I thought Halimeda shoots out some sort of spur stuff...
http:///forum/post/2891840
a mangrove wont grow submerged, so placing it "in" the tank will kill it. if your looking for a plant to be in your tank, check into halimeda it will grow quite tall and bushy submerged.
OH, so it is for out of the tank???? I thought the roots can go into the sand?
I thought Halimeda shoots out some sort of spur stuff...
reefkprz
Active Member
Originally Posted by meowzer
http:///forum/post/2891941
OH, so it is for out of the tank???? I thought the roots can go into the sand?
it can be rooted in sand but you cannot suberge the stem it will kill it. generally a mangrove grows on muddy shorelines with only its roots in the tidal zone the rest of the plant stays out of the water.
http:///forum/post/2891941
OH, so it is for out of the tank???? I thought the roots can go into the sand?
it can be rooted in sand but you cannot suberge the stem it will kill it. generally a mangrove grows on muddy shorelines with only its roots in the tidal zone the rest of the plant stays out of the water.
ledzep fan
Active Member
I have a question, (not trying to hijack) I bought some mangroves and is there a way to acclimate them? They were already in saltwater. I have them sitting in some fresh water to rinse the salt off of them.
Thanks
Thanks
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
Mangroves can be put in saltwater to grow and thrive - but their internal structure and enzymes can not stand too much salt in their system. That's why they excrete the salt particles through their leaves. In nature, it will rain and wash the salt off the leaves, but in the aquarium hobby, we must be diligent to wipe the salt off the leaves with a damp cloth.
Setting them in freshwater might not be such a great idea for now. might cause too many hydrophillic cells to inflate with excess water and cause decay.
Then again, there are freshwater mangroves!
Setting them in freshwater might not be such a great idea for now. might cause too many hydrophillic cells to inflate with excess water and cause decay.
Then again, there are freshwater mangroves!
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
By the way - I absolutely love halimeda too!!!
aquaknight
Active Member
I haven't got any firm answers on this, but I've found mangroves to be very salinity sensitive and acclimate very poorly. In my old 29gal, I didn't have ATO and the SG varied about ~.003 points. In my parents 60gal, they had a retardedly slow evap. rate, and always had success with red mangroves. They even kept a black mangrove for a bit. The mangroves were all wild caught by me at the same time. At that time, we ran our tanks very similar, using LFS bought water (though different stores) with similar schedules. Half of the ones I added to my 29 dropped leafs off within the first week and died, and the other half slowly got worse/never grew.
This a bit of constrast to what I've noticed with mangroves. They grow in tidal flats, often time in pools/puddles were salinity is more often times then not, completely out of whack. With any rain, it drops very quickly, or baking in the sun, evaps. out and salinity is through the roof. Some of the ones I collected were in 1.032+ SG saltwater (as high as my refrac went).
This a bit of constrast to what I've noticed with mangroves. They grow in tidal flats, often time in pools/puddles were salinity is more often times then not, completely out of whack. With any rain, it drops very quickly, or baking in the sun, evaps. out and salinity is through the roof. Some of the ones I collected were in 1.032+ SG saltwater (as high as my refrac went).