Question about mangroves for Refugium

Mcgeezer · 01/06/2014, 06:12 PM

I've read a lot of very good things about mangroves in your Refugium instead of chaeto. I have A LOT of them not far from my home ( I live in FL ) so my question is how long would it take some seeds to grow in the Refugium ? I could always clip some small branches off.....but I think they're protected?

Maxxumless · 01/06/2014, 08:02 PM

No clue about Fl, but in Tx they are protected. Mangroves, IME should only be kept if you like they way they look and will be cultivating them as a "look" and any role they play in taking up nutrients is a bonus. Chaeto has a higher exporting potential than a single mangrove (small ones found in aquarium trade) plant. However, mangroves are attractive and given plenty of space to grow, they add a lot of beauty to a dedicated refugium. I know some people like to have 'show' refugiums and let their mangroves really grow out, even to tree sizes outside the home itself.

davocean · 01/06/2014, 08:11 PM

They look pretty, but do very little for nutrient export, and their leaves need to be sprayed w/ FW almost daily to keep clean and clear of salt.
Kind of a pain really.
I'd stick w/ chaeto.

01/06/2014, 06:12 PM	#1
Mcgeezer Reef gardener Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: DeLand, Florida Posts: 1,205	Question about mangroves for Refugium I've read a lot of very good things about mangroves in your Refugium instead of chaeto. I have A LOT of them not far from my home ( I live in FL ) so my question is how long would it take some seeds to grow in the Refugium ? I could always clip some small branches off.....but I think they're protected?

01/06/2014, 08:11 PM	#3
davocean Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,655	They look pretty, but do very little for nutrient export, and their leaves need to be sprayed w/ FW almost daily to keep clean and clear of salt. Kind of a pain really. I'd stick w/ chaeto. __________________ There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD

01/06/2014, 08:02 PM	#2
Maxxumless To the Max... Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 2,364	No clue about Fl, but in Tx they are protected. Mangroves, IME should only be kept if you like they way they look and will be cultivating them as a "look" and any role they play in taking up nutrients is a bonus. Chaeto has a higher exporting potential than a single mangrove (small ones found in aquarium trade) plant. However, mangroves are attractive and given plenty of space to grow, they add a lot of beauty to a dedicated refugium. I know some people like to have 'show' refugiums and let their mangroves really grow out, even to tree sizes outside the home itself.