Desktop Mangrove "System"

[sl-atl]

I'm thinking about setting up a small, stand-alone desktop mangrove biotope in my office (well, actually it's a glorified cubicle but it is next to a window wall.)

Has anybody done this???

[Holyreefer]

i wouldn't see any problem with it as long as you have adequte lighting on the tank and remember to care for the plants leaves as they aren't salt accepting

[rwhhunt]

this is a fantastic idea! Im in the process of growing a 70 gallon Hex Mangrove coastal tank!

[sl-atl]

Thanks. Let's see some photos of that 70g hex!

[johnmaloney]

You might need to dose nutrients if the tank is small. I like the Kent Botannica products because they allow you to dose nitrate and phosphate separately. Other products combine the two, and for beginners. A little seachem iron, and something to keep the mag up and you should have something really nice.

[sl-atl]

That's really great information- thanks!
I was wondering also how much flow if any the water would needed. It would be great not to have the noise of a pump... Usually in the red mangrove areas there is a lot of current from the tide coming in and out, so I'm kind of thinking "yes" to that.

[OceanDweller]

I am not 100% sure but I believe mangroves take a fair amount of magnesium as well.

[paytonv]

I'm definitely tagging along for this one. Can't wait to see pics. Makes me wish I had an office....although work would come in at a distant second to the tank.

[T-T-Trigger]

using natural sun on small tanks can really spike your temperature, something to plan for.

[edwar050]

I was under the impression that natural sunlight did not increase temperature much at all like solatubes.

[sl-atl]

It would if the sunlight were hitting the water directly, or if it were receiving specular (as opposed to diffuse) reflections from the sun. The "solar tube" like skylights you mention essentially utilize a diffuse type reflector so they don't create much of a solar load.

Interesting timing- there is actually an article in the current Advanced Aquarist magazine on micro-environments. It's pretty interesting. Aquarium in a snow-globe anyone? :)
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2008/9/aafeature3

[johnmaloney]

yeah keep your magnesium around 1200, the lower the flow the better (well without dead spots). While they live in tidal communities, the banks they have created keep water going pretty slowly.

[sl-atl]

This may not be new to many (the article itself is kind of old) but I found a great article on mangrove husbandry by Julian Sprung:

http://www.twolittlefishies.com/documents/1100232022.pdf

Still need to find a red mangrove seed pod. If I still lived in Florida this would be a lot easier! :)

[jeff209]

look on ebay for a seller named goomart808 he sells mangroves for a great price

http://stores.ebay.com/GOOMART_Pets_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZ1QQfsubZ4615208QQftidZ2QQtZkm