Mangrove 3rd tank idea help.

[Gregpetro]

So I had an idea the tho other day and figured I get some opinions. My current set up is as seen below. It's a 25 IM lagoon that I diy a sump also see below. Sump has a bare bottom chaeto refugium. My idea is to set up a small 5g tank on a stand next to my current tank and drill it and have it gravity feed back to the sump. I want to plant a mangroves in it maybe one or 2 and let them grow up next to my tank. My question is one what do you think of the idea and 2 what substrate id best for a mangrove. My idea is to have it be a second refugium of sorts.

 

[KrisReef]

Mangroves make a fantastic remote refuge imo.

I think there are many ways to set it up, and I am not an expert and have never tried to set one up. Too much work.

I do think folks use substrate like Miracle Mud to allow the trees to have a good rooting area and mineral soil that keeps the plants happy as well as allows for mineral migration into the reef.

It also provides potential habitat for pod refuge as well as a cryptic zone if it is carefully assembled to provide these areas. Low, low flow from and to the sump is the easiest way to balance water and keep it off the floor.

Good luck, bump for more experienced replies.

 

[Gregpetro]

Bump

 

[CHSUB]

Yes, my mangroves are in both a 33g Red Sea G2 xl and a 16 gallon connected Lagoon. My build tread give all the details. I used organic potting soil capped with argonite gravel.

 

[Gregpetro]

Yes, my mangroves are in both a 33g Red Sea G2 xl and a 16 gallon connected Lagoon. My build tread give all the details. I used organic potting soil capped with argonite gravel.

That's just a bigger version of what I want to do. You didn't have Amy problems with the soil and the corals.

 

[CHSUB]

That's just a bigger version of what I want to do. You didn't have Amy problems with the soil and the corals.

All very good, corals color and growth “excellent”. Here is the 33 gallon…

 

[Tcook]

@OrionM has quite a few mangroves. Check out his tank. I always liked the look of these since seeing Julian’s tank on cover of Reef Aquarium

 

[Gregpetro]

All very good, corals color and growth “excellent”. Here is the 33 gallon…

If you don't mind me asking can I see the mangrove tank. Beautiful tank btw.

 

[OrionN]

Mangroves in the sand is fine. You can even hang mangroves loose and it will send root to where ever in the tank or sump. Red Mangroves need their root intact so it is a good idea to plan it in a sand pot. Damage root of a Red mangrove invariably lead to death of the plant.
Two Red Mangroves one dead (with root damage) and the other thriving

Black and Red mangroves with open rot, eventually send root all over the sump

Red mangroves loosely secure growing in the sump of my 40 gal QT system.

 

[CHSUB]

I call this the Mangrove Lagoon, front part is Mangrove Reef…

 

[Gregpetro]

I call this the Mangrove Lagoon, front part is Mangrove Reef…

I love the set up. So you have them set up im a small tank behind. What light do u have on them?

 

[Gregpetro]

Mangroves in the sand is fine. You can even hang mangroves loose and it will send root to where ever in the tank or sump. Red Mangroves need their root intact so it is a good idea to plan it in a sand pot. Damage root of a Red mangrove invariably lead to death of the plant.
Two Red Mangroves one dead (with root damage) and the other thriving

Black and Red mangroves with open rot, eventually send root all over the sump

Red mangroves loosely secure growing in the sump of my 40 gal QT system.

Nice. The roots are why I want to put them in there own dedicated tank this plumbed in

 

[CHSUB]

I love the set up. So you have them set up im a small tank behind. What light do u have on them?

Yes, the tank behind flows to the AIO back chamber of the front tank. I have a small Sicca pump to pump water to the back tank. Has worked well…each tank has a plant grow light from Amazon; 65 watt and 45 watt run 9 hours per day in addition to reef lights. Some planning is needed to prevent overflow and blockage, have my Apex monitor levels for safety.

 

[reefrocker82]

Any updates? I am planning on doing the exact same thing lol. I have a 5g tank that I drilled years ago for a seahorse gravity fed fuge. Now I’m adding it to my 90g. I plumbed the supply to a manifold on my DT return. I’m considering using miracle mud and some LR. I think I’m going to seed the fuge with an order from ipsf. The plan is to plant a couple of mangroves and to cultivate some Ulva and gracilaria for my tang and angels. I’d love to know what you ended up doing.