New Brackish Water Mangrove Tank (Planted)!

[Goanna]

Well, it's been over a year since I first talked about doing a mangrove tank here. The build itself took a couple months as I didnt have the time to work on it one day after the other.

Anyway, it's a 65 gallon tank with a foam/concrete background and some large manzanita branches inverted (and embedded in the background) to simulate mangrove roots.

I made several areas in the background where I could put some plants, both under and above the water level. Right now I have 2 large Crinum Onion bulbs, 3 Java Fern Windelov, 2 normal Java Fern, a large bunch of Anacharis, a big Banana Plant, 2 Marimo "Moss" balls and a bunch of Italian Valisineria. All of these are listed as Brackish Compatible/Adaptable plants accept the Vals, which were given to me anyway, so I figured I would try.

I am starting the tank at a low specific gravity, 0.008 for now. Since all my fish are going to be small at first, I am going to slowly increase the salinity as time goes by. This will work out for the plants as well.

I did a very slow drip on the plants to get them used to the salinity in the first place and now they are all in place. I dont have a photo yet of the plants since I just put some Bio-Spira in the tank and it's all cloudy from that now.

Anyway, here are a few build photos right up till before I put the plants in. I'll take a pic with plants as soon as the water clears.


Free Image Hosting by ImageBam.com

Oh, as far as inhabitants go this tank will house some Archers, a Knight Goby, Wasp Fish (AKA Panther Goby), a "FW" Moray eel, and a couple of Crazy Fish (Butis butis).

[Hoppy]

This should be very interesting! Keep us up to date.

[Phoenix-cry]

I love mangrove tanks, they are way cool. Can't wait to see more

[Goanna]

Hopefully if the water is clear in the morning I can take some more pics.

If any of you noticed the few white areas in thebackground, that's where the concrete didnt go on thick enough and it chipped away when I filled the tank. I may try to pin some Java Moss on those areas to cover it up and see how that looks. I imagine the moss will eventually root onto the concrete as well, which might look cool.

[Goanna]

Okay, here are some pics with Plants and the first inhabitant, a medium size Archer fish.

The water cleared up considerably but still has a slight haze.

[Phoenix-cry]

That's one cool fish!

[lotekfish]

That is very cool! I've been looking for good examples of mangrove tanks for a year because I wanted to set one up. Honestly this is one of the best I've seen- using the manzanita braches to simulate mangrove roots is a brilliant idea. Can't wait to see it filled out!

[lauraleellbp]

Me too, nice planted brackish tanks are definitely not the "norm" and I really look forward to seeing this one evolve!

[dSerk]

I want one!

I found these browsing around eBay: [no ebay link] Search for "mangrove aquarium plant" if the link doesn't work.

Have anyone grown these? Are they small trees? Do they take years to grow?

I definitely would like to see more planted brackish tanks!

Could monos and archer fish be kept together?

[Goanna]

Originally Posted by dSerk

I want one!

I found these browsing around eBay: [no ebay link] Search for "mangrove aquarium plant" if the link doesn't work.

Have anyone grown these? Are they small trees? Do they take years to grow?

I definitely would like to see more planted brackish tanks!

Could monos and archer fish be kept together?

The mangrove plants are trees, and eventually will outgrow the tank. I have seen some people use Lucky Bamboo as an alternative but on a larger scale tank the manzanita wood looks pretty close to mangrove roots.

Archers and Mono's can do fine together in a large tank, but keep in mind Mono's eventually require full SW, the don't do well if they are only kept in brackish their whole life. Also, from what I have heard from other people, Mono's might munch on plants.

That said, I have a couple of small Mono argentus coming in and I am going to try them. If they become problematic I have another tank I can put them in, or I can bring them back to the store I work in and set them up in the regular brackish tank there.

[lauraleellbp]

In the US it's illegal in most states to mess with mangroves. So be careful who you ask and where you go looking...

[fshfanatic]

Originally Posted by lauraleellbp

In the US it's illegal in most states to mess with mangroves. So be careful who you ask and where you go looking...

This is very true. When you are talking collecting them yourself. However, I am not so sure when you are talking buying them commercially. I have never looked into it..

I too have been considering doing something similar with my 180 after my move..I like the way yours is turning out..

[Goanna]

Originally Posted by fshfanatic

This is very true. When you are talking collecting them yourself. However, I am not so sure when you are talking buying them commercially. I have never looked into it..

I too have been considering doing something similar with my 180 after my move..I like the way yours is turning out..

I know my store gets them in the spring and summer, and the distributors don't ever seem to have any issues with them.

I think the main thing is messing with wild mangroves. The one's on ebay mention being legally propagated.

[Goanna]

Okay, here's some new guys. Butis butis AKA crocodile fish or Crazy Fish.

They are pretty curious fish and they inspect everything, they are very alert. One of the pics show one of them getting close to the freshwater Moray. He quickly backed away, lol.

[Phoenix-cry]

That is one cool fish! I like the moray as well!