plants for sump

[fshfrk]

i put a 100 gal sump on my 300 gal pond. i want to grow plants in it to eat nitrates. do less water changes. would like a mangrove tree but i don't think you can get them in houston. what kind of plants. i will be adding a light tonight on a timer. i need some ideas.  thanks

[edmlfc]

Re: plants for sump

Actually you can get mangrove in Houston. I saw them at one of the lfs, just can't remember which one.

[HoustonFishFanatic]

Re: plants for sump

If you don't care how they look I think any thing native like Ludwigia repen or Ceratophyllum demursum would help. I would also look into Eichhornia crassipes ( water hyacinth). Best nitrate absorber IMO. But I guess its on the noxious weed list.


Bhushan

[wesleydnunder]

Re: plants for sump

Duckweed is one of the best nitrate sponges available. Anacharis and hornwort are good also.

Mark

[eklikewhoa]

Re: plants for sump

Also wisteria.

You can get mangroves from B&B fish and pet or hit up that "Hurricane Ike cleanup effort"  group buy thread I have posted in the sale section.

There are mangroves listed there for a very decent price.

[armthehomeless]

Re: plants for sump

Your 300g pond doesn't get direct sunlight, does it?

Just thought I would clarify your post a little since most ponds are outdoors.... :wink:

[PhishPhreek]

Re: plants for sump

I just got in a shipment of 20 small Red Mangroves - "Rhizophora Mangle" from Honolulu
I only want a couple so I will bring the remainder to the HAS auction.
They came with the following instructions


Aloha and mahalo for your mangrove purchase! Shipping:
After shipping sometimes the red mangrove propagules go through a short dormant stage, however when cared for properly they will quickly recover and continue to grow and mature.
Acclimating instructions:
Upon receiving your mangrove propagules remove them from shipping material and rinse them in room temperature fresh or salt water. This will remove any extraneous contaminants, and allows the plants to acclimate and breath before placing them into thier new home.
Planting:
The Red Mangrove propagule can be planted in an aquarium, sump, refugium, or decorative vase. When adding a mangrove propagule to your aquarium, you can plant it directly in the sand or gravel, use a rubber band or tie to attach it to the top of rocks or driftwood, or allow it to take root in the water with no substrate at all. You can plant your mangrove in any depth of water, just be sure that the leaf stem or leaves are out of the water.
Growth:
Growth rate varies depending on which stage your propagule is in. It may take up to 8 weeks for a stage 1 pod to advance to stage 4 once it has been planted. Stage 1 pods need a period of "non-movement" to begin thier growth. Propagules in the more advanced stages mature much faster and you will see results in a shorter period of time.
Trimming;
The Red Mangrove grows very large and tall. To control the growth, cut the growth tip or leaf bud right above a pair of leaves as necessary with a sharp scissors. In time, the plant will alter its growth, and remain short and bushy. You can manipulate the growth of your mangrove much like you would a Bonsai Tree.
Lighting requirements:
Mangroves do not have any special lighting requirements. You can grow your mangroves under normal lighting conditions that you use for your aquarium. However, do not let your mangrove grow to close to your light source as the leaves will burn. Light from a window is also sufficient especially if growing mangroves as a decoration in a vase.
Nutrition:
Mangroves grown in aquariums do not require any additional fertilizers. All the nutrients needed is filtered out of your aquarium. Mangroves do need adequate amounts of Magnesium if being used in a salt water aquarium. At a specific gravity of 1.025 (normal sea water), the magnesium level should be 1,000-1,300 ppm. Mangroves used in freshwater do not need as much magnesium because they dont have to exclude sodium ions as they would need to do in salt water.

[mahoro]

Re: plants for sump

get duck weed and water sprite, thats all the plant you will ever need...

[fshfrk]

Re: plants for sump

theres a guy on cichlid forum that has been talking about these mangroves for years. he says they are NITRATE magnets. I'm going to see PHISHPREEK . thanks ya'll. get back soon with results.

[fshfrk]

Re: plants for sump

meet phishphrrek today. a real nice guy and got 8 mangroves. going to test for nitrates couple of times a week to see if i can reduce water changes. thanks ya'll

[eklikewhoa]

Re: plants for sump

Blast them with light let us know how it turns out!

I have been toying with the idea of a planted refugium plumbed to my tank for the longest but never go around to it.

[fshfrk]

Re: plants for sump

yea if this works i'm definatley going to have one on the porch, plumned thru the wall for the 200.

[PhishPhreek]

Re: plants for sump

Glad to meet you fsh.  
Sorry the house was a mess, but with no better half to nag, I tend to let things go.  

[fshfrk]

Re: plants for sump

no problem I know exactley what you mean. i'm sitting here for a couple of hours now trying to figure out how to prop these mangroves up. i got about 16" inches of water and i want 1/2 under so i have to prop them up on somthing and hold them in place.

[eklikewhoa]

Re: plants for sump

You can use egg crate to hold them where you want them.