10 gallon mangrove tank
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Topic: 10 gallon mangrove tank
Posted By: WhiteReef
Subject: 10 gallon mangrove tank
Date Posted: February 25 2011 at 11:38am
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Well I have been thinking about a low maintenance tank for my office. I have a south facing window and wanted to get a little tank setup that would not cost much and require minimal equipment and maintenance. Adam's recent comments about mangroves has me thinking about doing that. What I would do is take my old 10 gallon tank that I currently have no plans for and add in about 4" of sand seeded with LS from my tank, some macro algae, 4-6 mangroves, a few damsels or chromis, and a small pump for circulation. Would I need anything else? I don't plan on running a heater or lights since it will be getting sunlight from the window and should stay around 74 since the office has a constant temp. ------------- ---------------- Richard Former 47G Column Reef, Magna 20" x 18" x 31"H |
Replies:
Posted By: Adam Blundell
Date Posted: February 25 2011 at 11:52am
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Don't you hate it when you type a long reply.... and then get disconnected. Okay 1) AWESOME! 2) I would highly consider adding an external light. They like light, and warmth and I'd really think about not using only sun light. 3) Having that 4 inches of sand is a great idea and somewhat necessary. 4) The size of them to begin with is something of importance. If you get them with roots I'd like you to try some root dip. I'll even buy it for you. I'm actually writing an article today on mangroves so you caught me at a really good time when I'm thinking about them. I'm going through photos and I'll send you some this weekend of my mangrove tanks. Adam ------------- Come to a meeting, they�re fun! |
Posted By: WhiteReef
Date Posted: February 25 2011 at 12:35pm
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Sweet! I appreciate the feed back. I would be game to try the root dip and such, also I will need to locate some mangroves too, so if you could help out with that it would be great. The only issue with the lighting is finding a light fixture that I can use that will be above the tank. I'll have to look around for one or if someone has one that would work. Probably something like a desk lamp. What lighting should I use since it is only for the mangroves? Also is there any kind of supplemental feeding that I would want to use for them? Iron, manganese? Also is a small pump all I need or should I get a bio wheel? My thought on not getting a bio wheel was that the algae and mangroves would be sufficient and I just need to move the water around to keep it oxygenated. ------------- ---------------- Richard Former 47G Column Reef, Magna 20" x 18" x 31"H |
Posted By: MadReefer
Date Posted: February 25 2011 at 12:44pm
| I think your plan is great. A couple small pieces of LR wouldn't hurt. Try to get a type of macro that doesn't grow too fast. Stay away from grape caulerpa. There are plenty of other types of caulerpa that don't grow so fast. If you add any filter, I would see it as a place to add carbon, and that is about it. I think a south facing window would be good enough for lighting, but mangroves will use any additional that you add, they love light. A small desk lamp might be perfect. |
Posted By: Adam Blundell
Date Posted: February 25 2011 at 1:07pm
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Some people add iron and plant fertilizers. I like adding them directly to the substrate and not to the water column. I'll get you some photo of lights I've used (currently using a large floor lamp). Adam ------------- Come to a meeting, they�re fun! |
Posted By: ptronsp
Date Posted: February 25 2011 at 2:28pm
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Adam, are you going to post your article here and pics? I would be really interested. I have one mangrove now and was thinking of adding a few to my Seahorse tank? What do you think? Where is the best place to buy them? Pam |
Posted By: Adam Blundell
Date Posted: February 25 2011 at 3:01pm
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Pam- will be posted online next week (I think). Need editors to review it. I love mangroves, and I highly recommend a couple of the sellers on ebay. Great place for mangroves. Adam ------------- Come to a meeting, they�re fun! |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: February 25 2011 at 4:38pm
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The same clip-on cone reflector and twist PC daylight color lamps we use for Refugiums, will work perfectly. I'd mix in a cup or two of garden dirt with the 4" of Aragonite sand. This will be plenty of minerals for the mangroves. The "Eco Rreef miracle mud" is just garden dirt. Mangroves grow great in mud. Biowheels should never be used because they produce more nitrates than can usually be handled by a sand bed. I'd use a small powerhead or an airstone bubbler. Either one will work.  ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member 
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Posted By: ptronsp
Date Posted: February 25 2011 at 4:44pm
| WHAT? seriously add dirt to the tank?? |
Posted By: Josh95
Date Posted: February 25 2011 at 6:01pm
| Adam, post some pics of your magroves |
Posted By: Adam Blundell
Date Posted: February 25 2011 at 9:50pm
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Okay okay, I'll try to get them up tomorrow while the kids take a nap. Adam ------------- Come to a meeting, they�re fun! |
Posted By: Lewy
Date Posted: February 25 2011 at 9:54pm
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do you have to have the roots in the sand or mud? ------------- 40 gal w/ 20 sump |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: February 25 2011 at 10:04pm
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Either sand or mud or both. This is Miracle Mud. Though it is mostly silica sand, it is the major component of the Eco Reef system. The dirt is meant to provide Iron and other essential minerals for a Refugium full of Macroalgae. it's not necessary though, because I've grown lots of Mangroves in Refugiums of just our normal Aragonite Live Sand  ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member
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Posted By: MadReefer
Date Posted: February 25 2011 at 11:11pm
These are mine near three years old. I'm thinking about setting up a tank to give the roots more room. They are in aragonite sand.
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Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: February 25 2011 at 11:42pm
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Those are awesome. Did Adam know about those for his article?
------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member
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Posted By: ptronsp
Date Posted: February 26 2011 at 12:55am
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Those are awesome!! Madreefer do you sell them?? I would like to get my hands on a couple of them? Pam |
Posted By: Adam Blundell
Date Posted: February 26 2011 at 8:39am
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Mark- yes, been to MadReefer's and seen his mangroves as well. Pretty darn cool! Lewy- you don't need to plant them in substrate.... at least not for a very long time. The roots will grow in the water and the plan will grow for a long time. At some point (after a couple years) the roots need to reach the bottom and anchor the plant into the substrate. But to start with it is very common to have the plants floating on top of the water, held vertical. Adam ------------- Come to a meeting, they�re fun! |
Posted By: Lewy
Date Posted: February 26 2011 at 7:39pm
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Adam, Thanks. I've got mine right now just sitting on top of my rock and sticking out of the top of the tank. I think it's actually anchored itself a bit to the rock. ------------- 40 gal w/ 20 sump |
Posted By: Pinner Reef
Date Posted: February 27 2011 at 3:13pm
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We have a half dozen mangrove pods at Fish 4 U... They're in the brackish vivarium so they're 6" to 1' tall but I can't remember how much they're going for. -pinner ------------- In SLC Near Downtown |
Posted By: WhiteReef
Date Posted: February 28 2011 at 1:14pm
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Well, I just got the go ahead from the HR department, so now to make the plans real. Adam, you mentioned adding fertilizer directly to the sand, how and what do you add? Also what are the eBay retailers you like? I wanted to shop around a little to see what I can find, and I might just use Fish4U or someone on the board to just keep'n it local. Adam, also I am willing to do the root dip thing, just let me know. Also I could use some sand if someone has a half bucket full of it and some live rock to add some variety to it. ------------- ---------------- Richard Former 47G Column Reef, Magna 20" x 18" x 31"H |
Posted By: MadReefer
Date Posted: February 28 2011 at 1:26pm
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You were not asking me but I thought I would give you my experience anyway. I bought from the same seller twice on ebay and received a great product twice. Here is a link to one item that seller currently has up:
http://cgi.ebay.com/21-LARGE-RED-MANGROVE-AQUARIUM-FISH-PLANTS-12-16-INCHES-/360282972346?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item53e289e0ba - http://cgi.ebay.com/21-LARGE-RED-MANGROVE-AQUARIUM-FISH-PLANTS-12-16-INCHES-/360282972346?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item53e289e0ba
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Posted By: WhiteReef
Date Posted: February 28 2011 at 2:36pm
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That looks like a good deal, but the only issue is that I would have 21 mangroves. But that might not be to bad since I have been contemplating using them in my refugium too. When you put them in your system, did you need to do anything special? ------------- ---------------- Richard Former 47G Column Reef, Magna 20" x 18" x 31"H |
Posted By: JB
Date Posted: February 28 2011 at 2:49pm
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Richard Go to his store he has more plants than just the group of 21 ------------- If not for construction, where would we be? |
Posted By: WhiteReef
Date Posted: March 02 2011 at 12:48pm
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When taking care of mangroves, do you need to spray fresh water on the leaves every day? What things should be done on a continual basis to keep them happy? ------------- ---------------- Richard Former 47G Column Reef, Magna 20" x 18" x 31"H |
Posted By: JB
Date Posted: March 02 2011 at 2:43pm
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http://www.twolittlefishies.com/documents/1100232022.pdf - A Guide to the Ecology and Care of the Mangroves Here is a link to a short read ------------- If not for construction, where would we be? |
Posted By: MadReefer
Date Posted: March 02 2011 at 5:26pm
| I don't spray mine with water every day. I'd say only once or twice a month. But when they were closer to the splash of salt water, I made sure I cleaned off the salt nearly daily. |
Posted By: ptronsp
Date Posted: March 02 2011 at 6:34pm
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If you ordered a large order and didn't want them I would consider buying the others depending on the price. I love Mangroves. Pam |
Posted By: WhiteReef
Date Posted: March 10 2011 at 10:49am
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Well I purchased the mangroves all 21 of them. I will find homes for them all. Pam, if you want some they will be 2.00 each as that will cover the shipping and cost. I should have them Tuesday or Wednesday next week. Now I still need to find some sand, rocks, and small pumps. Oh, and possibly a light. ------------- ---------------- Richard Former 47G Column Reef, Magna 20" x 18" x 31"H |
Posted By: Adam Blundell
Date Posted: March 12 2011 at 1:33am
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Article now online http://www.reefaddicts.com/content.php/296-Mangals-Mangroves-in-Reef-Aquaria - http://www.reefaddicts.com/content.php/296-Mangals-Mangroves-in-Reef-Aquaria Adam ------------- Come to a meeting, they�re fun! |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: March 12 2011 at 8:01am
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I have plenty of sand and rock for you. Good article Adam. Wow that article by Julian must be pretty old. The pics are b&w.  I sprayed my Mangroves only once or twice/month. The humid conditions of the enclosed Refugium kept them cleaner.   ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member
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Posted By: WhiteReef
Date Posted: March 12 2011 at 10:35am
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I must say this adventure has been a great one from the on-set and I am really excited to get started. The article that JB posted was a great read and in conjunction with the awesome one from Adam they really have given me a lot of good information. Adam - I did see the mention about Ecological Laboratories Microbial Root Dip. Where can I get it locally? I would love to use it to see if it helps, and would be willing to do an experiment with using it on some but not others. As far as rock and sand, I am going to take Adam up on his offer at the moment. I kind of want to see his tanks. If that does not work out I might take you up on your offer Mark.
------------- ---------------- Richard Former 47G Column Reef, Magna 20" x 18" x 31"H |
Posted By: Adam Blundell
Date Posted: March 12 2011 at 5:52pm
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I don't know if we have any EcoLabs stuff local. You may have to go online. come one over! Adam ------------- Come to a meeting, they�re fun! |
Posted By: WhiteReef
Date Posted: March 13 2011 at 6:52pm
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What fish should I put in it? I want to stay under 30.00 for all the fish. Right now I am thinking about putting in a bunch of damsels. The reason is that I need the system to be really simple and inexpensive incase things go bad or parms fluctuate. ------------- ---------------- Richard Former 47G Column Reef, Magna 20" x 18" x 31"H |
Posted By: WhiteReef
Date Posted: March 13 2011 at 6:57pm
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@madreefer, what did you do to acclimate the mangroves? I know that if you go from fresh to salt water they go into shock and can die. Also I read that if they do go into shock you can put them into fresh water for awhile and then gradually and slowly bring up the salinity to match the tank. ------------- ---------------- Richard Former 47G Column Reef, Magna 20" x 18" x 31"H |