mangrove sump

question for all .If i plant mangroves in a sump box filled with sand and entering water drains through sand bed to a lower reservoir would this be in essence a nitrate producing biological filter???? please any input greatly appreciated.

 

Brian, are you saying to let the water run through an area with sand and mangroves using gravity and then going into a sump? I'm just don't understand if you mean that the mangroves will be hanging over the sump. Will the mangroves be submersed in water or hanging in the air with water running through them. If you mean they will be hanging in the air I don't think that would work. Mangroves will probably not grow unless they are completely submersed. Can you give me a clearer illustration of what your planning on doing? Sorry it took me so long to respond. I hate seeing unanswered posts, because we are supposed to help one another and your post has just sat here and been read 16 times with no reply.

 

Sheesh, sorry I don't know how I missed your post.

I don't know about Nitrates, but I know that the mangrove would definitely help eliminate your phosphates and other unwanted chems.

 

Yeah, if your gonna have a fuge definitely have mangroves.

 

why are mangroves so good.

 

I like mangroves mainly because I don't run a skimmer and I never plan to. I think that mangroves are a good replacement for skimmers. They suck up phosphate, silicate, nitrates, etc.

 

why don't u run a skimmer are mangroves better than skimmers.

 

I wouldn't say either one is better than the other. It's a matter of opinion.

 

what do mangroves do exactly. How can they do the same job as a skimmer.

 

You would have to have quite a few mangroves to replicate what a skimmer pulls out of your tank,and the skimmer oxygenates the water also.
Ive read that its best to combine the two for best results.
Reefman are you using mangroves now?