Jump to content
Cultivated Reef

Potted mangrove question


evan127

Recommended Posts

I ordered 10 mangroves off an eBay seller yesterday and they will be here tomorrow. I know I am going to put 1 in my little biocube/future seahorse home that has been running for a year with no significant progress until now (insert eye roll here)

 

I know 2 or 3 mangroves will go in a container in my refugium on my main system and I am going to pot the rest. I am very excited!

 

My question is about the potted mangroves. I got some hydroponic pots and peat moss. I am actually following this advice: (https://www.youtube....h?v=tkrDDDvpHig) The pots will be sitting in a container with saltwater. My first question is: Can I use saltwater from my water changes to put in the container the mangroves sit in? If so, do I need to keep the water level consistent by adding fresh water to the container?

 

Link to comment

Thanks for the link Ark! Though, I have read through that post once before and I couldn't find the answer written out for my specific questions. Maybe I am overthinking it or I suck at reading? :happy:

Link to comment

Yes water change water will be perfect as it will be 'dirty' and have nutrients for the mangroves to use. Not sure how much salt mangroves will cope with, something is making me think 1.030 is the high end but I can't remember. But I think your supposed to keep them wet at all times, could just alternate when you use salt water, for instance, weekly when you do a water change or whatever your routine is, then water with fresh water the rest of the time, or just keep an eye on any water your standing them in with a refractometer.

Out of interest, why are you using so few in your tanks? I have 5 in my refugum on my 330l system. I ordered 5 with some rock rubble and pods as it was a far better deal than buying mangroves only.

Link to comment

I believe Giga mentions that mangroves should be conditioned to saltwater slowly if they were not grown it from the start. You should slowly adjust them to the salinity of your tank; I believe the red mangroves can be planted in freshwater, brackish, or saltwater so you should be fine just make sure to condition them slowly.

 

Here is another good read that mentions this advice, among other things:

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-12/ac/feature/index.php

Link to comment

Got lucky with mine then, just chucked them in (elastic banded to some rock rubble to stop them floating off and keep the tips out of the water.

Always thought magrove pods floated across oceans and then rooted where they stopped. Thought they were pretty tolerant to most things, just need good lighting.

Link to comment

Thanks for the reply!

 

I have heard that mangroves can handle salt content as high as 1.030 as well. I guess that mimics low tide and the sun bakes the water and leaves all the salt on the substrate, then when the tide comes back in it adds to the salinity.

 

I do a weekly 5 gallon water change on my main reef. So I guess I will be using that water now for my mangroves outside :)

 

I am starting with a few in my reef tanks just to try it out. Plus, my main system's refugium doesn't have a lot of height.


Mine came from the ocean, so I will be bringing them to the same salinity when they arrive.

Link to comment

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Recommended Discussions

×
×
  • Create New...