USING MANGROVES IN MUD FILTERS

We have been testing Mangroves in our reef aquarium filters for two years. These Magroves are growing in large barnacle shells that I purchased at a local pet shop. This group of plants is used to filter 8 - 30 gallon reef aquariums. This has been the only filter - no skimmer - in these 8 aquariums for the past year. The water quality is very high. I am going to make some containers like this from Aragocrete^TM with thin walls and 1/4 inch holes to grow more Mangroves. All of the nutrient needed to grow these 24 inch trees was removed from the water column.

THIS PICTURE SHOWS THE ROOTS THAT ARE STARTING TO GROW OUT OF THE SHELLS. THIS COLONY OF RED MANGROVES IS VERY SOLID AND I CAN MOVE THEM WHEN I NEED TO. mangrove algae

MANGROVE PLANT PRODUCTION TIP

When the shipments of Mangrove seeds first arrive we float pieces of 1/2 inch Styrofoam in the greenhouse tanks. We make 1/4 inch holes in the Styrofoam on 2 inch centers. The seeds are then inserted up into the holes so 1/2 of the seed is above the water. The seeds of red Mangroves are inserted with the larger end down. After the seeds have sprouted they can then be planted in the filters. We have been adding these seeds to many of our Mud filters.

WHITE MANGROVE RESEARCH IN MUD FILTERS

The White Mangroves have many more hair roots than the Red Mangroves. We are certain that these plants can be grown much shorter than the Red ones. As you can see from the pictures the White Mangroves are growing very fast. These two pictures were taken only 5 day apart. I am making six more Mud filters next week - that will give us 24 filters to work with during the next two years. We have been getting more new mud each week and the only mud that has not worked very well is the Mangrove mud from Florida. I am removing it slowly so I can save the worms that came with it.

mangrove seed

AN INTERESTING WAY TO STUDY MUD WORMS

We have been watching the worms from each new batch of mud move into the other layers. The worms and Mud digging Cerith snails are starting to mix the layers together. These pictures show how the worms and Cerith move the mud from one layer to the surface. We are making some sifters to take with us next month so we can strain more species from the mud flats. We will do this underwater at several geothermal mud springs that are exposed at the lowest tides.

mud worms

mud filter scallop

Several species of Cerith snails are very active Mud diggers. These snails constantly dig in the mud and eat micro algae. The control of unwanted algae in these filters will a major part of our research during the next two years.

More types of rare brown macro algae are starting to grow in these filters. It is fun watch the common algae grow in a more natural manner in the mud bottoms. mangrove algae

Reef Aquarium Farming News

COVER AND INDEX
NOVEMBER ISSUE PAGE 1 | NOVEMBER ISSUE PAGE 2 | NOVEMBER ISSUE PAGE 3
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NOVEMBER ISSUE PAGE 1

REEF AQUARIUM AQUACULTURE PRODUCTS TESTING LABORATORY
SALLY JO'S NOVEMBER REEF UPDATE | ASK SALLY JO

NOVEMBER ISSUE PAGE 2
REEF AQUARIUM FARMING SEMINAR | MANGROVE USAGE FOR REFUGIA FILTRATION
THIRTY YEARS OF MUD FILTER RESEARCH IN BOISE

NOVEMBER ISSUE PAGE 3

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS & DBA FORMS | INTERVIEW WITH WASATCH AQUACULTURE

ARAGOCRETE^{TM<
/SUP> ROCKS - A FAMILY PROJECT} | A VISIT TO INLAND AQUATICS

OCTOBER ISSUE PAGE 1 | OCTOBER ISSUE PAGE 2 | OCTOBER ISSUE PAGE 3
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OCTOBER ISSUE PAGE 1

Reef Aquarium Aquaculture Products Testing Laboratory | SALLY JO'S OCTOBER REEF UPDATE | ASK SALLY JO

OCTOBER ISSUE PAGE 2
SOCKET ROCKS | Aragocrete^{TM Lace Rocks} | ARAGOCRETE^TM ROCK UPDATE FROM NEW YORK

OCTOBER ISSUE PAGE 3

Propagating Bubble Coral | Business Planning Technique - Pricing For Profit

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