New member admiring builds and researching an Indonesian Mangrove/Coral Reef-Inspired Build

[Paluscapes]

Well thanks for all of the responses, you guys are a very friendly and welcoming community.

For clarity, I didn't take the pictures from the initial post (I wish I did), but found them on google when researching an Indonesian Mangrove+Coral Reef. I like to make presentations for myself with stocking lists, species profiles for plants & animals, and inspiration for the build.

I'm unable to upload a better quality pic due to the resolution cap, but here is a shot of the viv when I first set it up. I will add more vines, branches, and mini-orchids/ferns/mosses/epiphytes to the upper section before frogs arrive. But for now the focus is on letting the larger aroids and bromeliads grow out and establish themselves.

A more detailed build log can be found here

Looking forward to researching and engaging more, thanks for the links and pics sent so far!

 

[G Santana]

Welcome to the Reef

 

[Sean Clark]

Welcome to R2R.

 

[RichReef]

Welcome!

 

[Fish Think Pink]

Hi everyone,

Thanks for having me on the forum. I am usually based in United Kingdom and previously had a couple freshwater aquascapes and a poison dart frog vivarium there, which I rehomed when I moved out to Kenya for work this summer. I still have a 650-litre cloud forest-inspired vivarium with plants only that is growing in while I'm away (95% automated, minimal maintenance) with the hope to house some frogs in the future. I have a nature instagram that is essentially my journey into conservation and keeping of tropical flora and fauna, and attempts to improve my photography skills.

I've always been fascinated with Saltwater fish and the incredible biodiversity/ecosystems that can be seen in nature and replicated at home in aquaria. But a recent trip to the Kenyan coast with some incredible snorkelling (Parrotfish, Angelfish and so many more I couldn't name) has got me fascinated in reefing and discovering more. I was also fascinated by a very brief visit to a mangrove in Nigeria (half of my family is from there) and seeing mudskippers on the bank. The next time I'm back I have promised to explore much more.

I will be away for work for the best part of a year so looking to take the time to research and read up on reefkeeping, listen to podcasts, watch videos etc. Even if I don't keep anything myself, I love finding out about (ethical) pet and plant keeping hobbies, like aquascaping, and these forums seem a great place to start. Dendroboard, for Poison Dart Frog keepers also has a wealth of build threads in its archives, and I hope to dive deep into Reef2Reef and discover the creations you guys have made. I understand the saltwater hobby to be a labour of love in many senses, and I admire the passion many people have to run a tank (or 5) and attention to detail required for successful husbandry.

My current vision of a tank down the line is a large, low-stocked shallow tank, inspired by an Indonesian Coral Reef/Mangrove. Some Clowns and perhaps Banggai cardinalfish with some inverts + macroalgae/seagrass, anemones, corals, mangroves. I have seen some beautiful builds incorporating mangroves and replicating that marginal ecosystem. I wonder if anyone has experience building something similar or thinks this would be a good idea for a build? Looking forward to learning more. Pics below of an Indonesian Mangrove/Coral Reef that gave me some inspiration.

Welcome! Glad you joined.

This might help you find people local to you in London:

Global Local Reef Club Discussion

Looking for some locals to share frags and info with? This is the place! Find a local club that meets in your area! If you want to add your club just contact us.

www.reef2reef.com

This is a good reference book type online article I still review:

The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium

This article was sponsored by @MarineDepot at www.marinedepot.com. Introduction The marine environment is one of the most complex systems on the planet. The aquarium you are about to set up is only a tiny sliver of the vast ocean, but it is no...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Buckster]

Welcome to R2R! Wish my sponges looked as good as those!

 

[Nano_Man]

Hi everyone,

Thanks for having me on the forum. I am usually based in United Kingdom and previously had a couple freshwater aquascapes and a poison dart frog vivarium there, which I rehomed when I moved out to Kenya for work this summer. I still have a 650-litre cloud forest-inspired vivarium with plants only that is growing in while I'm away (95% automated, minimal maintenance) with the hope to house some frogs in the future. I have a nature instagram that is essentially my journey into conservation and keeping of tropical flora and fauna, and attempts to improve my photography skills.

I've always been fascinated with Saltwater fish and the incredible biodiversity/ecosystems that can be seen in nature and replicated at home in aquaria. But a recent trip to the Kenyan coast with some incredible snorkelling (Parrotfish, Angelfish and so many more I couldn't name) has got me fascinated in reefing and discovering more. I was also fascinated by a very brief visit to a mangrove in Nigeria (half of my family is from there) and seeing mudskippers on the bank. The next time I'm back I have promised to explore much more.

I will be away for work for the best part of a year so looking to take the time to research and read up on reefkeeping, listen to podcasts, watch videos etc. Even if I don't keep anything myself, I love finding out about (ethical) pet and plant keeping hobbies, like aquascaping, and these forums seem a great place to start. Dendroboard, for Poison Dart Frog keepers also has a wealth of build threads in its archives, and I hope to dive deep into Reef2Reef and discover the creations you guys have made. I understand the saltwater hobby to be a labour of love in many senses, and I admire the passion many people have to run a tank (or 5) and attention to detail required for successful husbandry.

My current vision of a tank down the line is a large, low-stocked shallow tank, inspired by an Indonesian Coral Reef/Mangrove. Some Clowns and perhaps Banggai cardinalfish with some inverts + macroalgae/seagrass, anemones, corals, mangroves. I have seen some beautiful builds incorporating mangroves and replicating that marginal ecosystem. I wonder if anyone has experience building something similar or thinks this would be a good idea for a build? Looking forward to learning more. Pics below of an Indonesian Mangrove/Coral Reef that gave me some inspiration.

Hi and welcome to R2R! Those photos are amazing! I hope you’ll get to start a mangrove build. I know that many of us would love to see pictures of it.

Welcome to r2r

 

[LiveWire]

Welcome to the REEF!!

 

[Eric R.]

Welcome! Very cool concept, one I'd like to emulate myself. I've been growing some mangroves out in FW for 2 years now, waiting until I have space for the right shallow lagoon tank.

Here's a resource that you may enjoy reading, the Mangrove Manual by Julian Sprung, who has some well known mangrove tanks - https://www.twolittlefishies.com/images/mangrove_manual.pdf

Here's a video of the SW mangrove pond in front of his home in Florida.



and



and



Also, here's a great 40g shallow lagoon tank that I've been inspired by, and that sounds similar to your vision. Enjoy!

Brad908's 40 gallon shallow coastal mangrove and macro algae biotope - November 2016 Featured Reef Aquarium

Congratulations to community member brad908 and his 40 gallon reef aquarium for being selected for our November Reef Profile! This all natural nano reef aqua...

www.nano-reef.com

 

[Paluscapes]

Welcome! Very cool concept, one I'd like to emulate myself. I've been growing some mangroves out in FW for 2 years now, waiting until I have space for the right shallow lagoon tank.

Here's a resource that you may enjoy reading, the Mangrove Manual by Julian Sprung, who has some well known mangrove tanks - https://www.twolittlefishies.com/images/mangrove_manual.pdf

Here's a video of the SW mangrove pond in front of his home in Florida.



and



and



Also, here's a great 40g shallow lagoon tank that I've been inspired by, and that sounds similar to your vision. Enjoy!

Brad908's 40 gallon shallow coastal mangrove and macro algae biotope - November 2016 Featured Reef Aquarium

Congratulations to community member brad908 and his 40 gallon reef aquarium for being selected for our November Reef Profile! This all natural nano reef aqua...

www.nano-reef.com

I had come across this fellow's name during initial research - thank you very much for all of these resources, I'll definitely look into them.

Thanks again to this community for being so welcoming and helpful!