Ripariums for Plant Filtration

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
I got a quick picture to better show the foliage on the 2-year old black mangrove plant that I have in that 50-gallon tank.

27-iii-11-avicennia-germinans-i-m.jpg


Like most kinds of mangroves, black mangrove has leathery foliage.
 
The best plants for ripariums are the kinds that grow in wetlands, riverbanks and other wet situations out in nature. Most regular terrestrial plants won't work because their roots will rot if kept in the water.
 
Here is a quick photo update for my 50-gallon setup. I need to work on the rock arrangement some more, but this gives an idea of what I have in mind. There won't be any underwater plants for this new aquascape.

12-iv-11-tank-i-m.jpg
 
Dunno how I missed this thread... as always your work is amazing!

The black mangroves I bought from you are starting to push up out of the gravel... I'm really excited to watch them mature...
 
Really? Can you find some more there? Let me know.

I have a trick for reusing that hydroton substrate if you would like to try to replant those planters. If you rinse it off good in a pail you can get rid of most of the rot bacteria that might be around from the dead plants. Then if you put it in a more shallow container just barely covering the substrate with water you can swirl it around and the hydroton will be easy to pick off the top. Then you can dry both kinds of substrate again on sheets of newspaper.

It sounds like a lot of work but actually I do it all the time.
 
I'm sure I could, I just haven't tried. Right know its clinging to life so I'm gonna see if it can make a comeback... I'm happy just watching the mangroves right now, I think I check on them more than my fish now...
 
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