The Growth of Mangroves?

[CalsReef2020]

I recently started a Macro Algae tank that has 2 mangroves in it, of course they cam from Algae Barn!

Anyway, The tank has been running for a few month and I was wondering if anybody has had huge amounts of growth or very slow growth with mangroves??

When I got mine they had small roots on them and had 2 leaves each.
Now they have 5 leaves on one and 4 leaves on the other. Not to mention the roots have gone insane!

Let me know what your mangrove experiences have been!?

 

[bnord]

They do indeed start out relatively slow. But like many leave plants will take off with more leaves. I find that generous spraying with a mister of fresh water helps a lot

 

[CalsReef2020]

They do indeed start out relatively slow. But like many leave plants will take off with more leaves. I find that generous spraying with a Mr. helps.

I have found that the salt builds up on there leaves, part of my nightly routine is to give them a good spray of RO/DI water, seems to care pf the problem.

 

[Macroalgae]

If you have decent nutrients in the water column and bright, full spectrum light, they'll grow like crazy. Judging from your description, it sounds like you have plenty of both.

Mangroves are awesome at removing nutrients, but make sure their roots won't get into anything that you can't pry open. They have a way of finding there roots in pumps and deep in live rock if you're not careful.

 

[bnord]

If you have decent nutrients in the water column and bright, full spectrum light, they'll grow like crazy. Judging from your description, it sounds like you have plenty of both.

Mangroves are awesome at removing nutrients, but make sure their roots won't get into anything that you can't pry open. They have a way of finding there roots in pumps and deep in live rock if you're not careful.

I have mine in glass planters full of miracle mud - those are surrounded by rocks - works for me...

 

[MillennialReefer]

The type of grow lights can also factor. I have this grow light and I have new leaves growing almost bi-weekly but also the lamp is about 6 inches from the top of the mangroves.

 

[Macroalgae]

Yep. The bioactive substrate is a nitrate (and sulphur) powerhouse that they love.

 

[CalsReef2020]

The type of grow lights can also factor. I have this grow light and I have new leaves growing almost bi-weekly but also the lamp is about 6 inches from the top of the mangroves.

My tank is under the window, haven't had problems because it is a Macro tank, but I may look at getting a grow light.

 

[Fishfreak2009]

I once ordered 20 and received 100+ red mangrove propagules. I added about 40 to the sump of my 380 gallon. They grew SO fast. I gave away mangroves for weeks. I had mangroves growing with my turtles, mangroves in my freshwater tanks, and mangroves in the reef.

 

[hexumjunkie]

They do indeed start out relatively slow. But like many leave plants will take off with more leaves. I find that generous spraying with a mister of fresh water helps a lot

View attachment 2599557

What do you have them planted in?

 

[Lylelovett]

I am thinking of buying some mangroves to live in my sump. The "refugium" side of the sump is currently empty of algae - just rock rubble in the bottom. My plan would be to put the mangroves in that section and lit by an AI refugium light.

Would I need to plant the mangroves in containers with miracle mud, as I see most people do, or will they root into the rubble?

Thanks!