Mangroves?

[morphyrichards]

Hi,
Was wondering if anyone has ever tried growing mangroves in their axie tanks? Apparently they have incredible nitrate absorbing properties. Have a look at this site? Mangroves in aquarium (One thing that puts me off is that the listed lowest temp is 22C (but they might still do ok in an axie tank))

...A bit like an aqua-bonsai tree :happy:

 

[carsona246]

i've done some research for this for a non-axie tank a while back. From what I've read they really don't start sucking nitrates until they get to a pretty decent size, and they're supposed to be really slow growers. You also have to make sure they were grown in freshwater, because they don't acclimate well. I know some people have had good luck with them, I decided to not give them a try.

 

[mewsie]

They look wicked! Are you going to give them a go, Steve?

 

[morphyrichards]

Perhaps not... It seems like they would be too big for my modest aquarium. But now I'm getting intersted in 'emergent plants' like lucky bamboo or hyacinths which have been adapted to water. Apparently they also suck up huge amounts of nitrate!

 

[carsona246]

I was actually kind of surprised at how small they were, I always kinda pictured like a hydroponic bush type thing. I've heard pothos is pretty good at sucking up nitrates. If hyacinth is legal where you are, I'd definatly give it a go, they're supposed to be crazy growers

 

[Bellabelloo]

I have 'lucky bamboo' growing in my axolotl tank. One is proving unlucky however

 

[morphyrichards]

Hmmm ...

I just took a tiny bit of Spathiphyllum (Peace Lily) with roots from a houseplant in the bathroom and added it to my tank. I've read a couple of pages which suggest that it is a good nitrate absorber as an emergent plant.

My nitrates are currently a bit high ... about 40 PPM. This is a significant reading because I've just done a bigger than normal water changing routine over 4 days I've changed approx 50% of my water. (Ammonia and Nitrite were at 0 before and after the change by the way) I think this nitrate may be present at this level in the water I have used to do the change (Ashbeck spring water from Tesco - I must get some more and test that for nitrates too, didn't think of that until I'd used it all) Interestingly, nitrates were at about 40PPM before I did the water change.

Anyway .... back to the experiment!

(edit - hope my nitrate API master test thingy isnt off!)

So, on 24'th Feb 2011 I've added a small rooted sprig of Spathiphyllum at the back of my aquarium, near the light and filter and the nitrates are at 40PPM.

I'll post to this thread again in a week to report condition of the plant and current nitrate level.