lighting for mangroves

[jawfish man]

what intensity of lighting do mangroves need?
im not looking for fast full growth on the trees,
just want to keep them healthy and taking up nutrients.
thanks!

 

[jamesw]

In nature, mangroves get full strength natural sunlight. So - that's a lot of light! About 4x what is put out by a 400w halide.

If you can get NSL for your mangroves, that would be the best way to get fast growth. Otherwise, perhaps a halide pendant.

Also make sure to read Daniel Knop's article about mangroves in the Advanced Aquarist archives.

HTH
James Wiseman

 

[danmhippo]

My mangrove grows about 16 leaves under about 192W of PC in a year. The mangrove is about 4" under the PC. Talking about slow growth.

I think they should grow faster under NSL.

 

[jawfish man]

unfortunately we only get 2 or 3 sunny days a month here in the
winter.
i have a 250w metal halide i think i'll put over it. its a superwarm
bulb, for growing plants. that shouldnt be a problem for the mangroves though, right? i think the bulb burns at about 3500. its really orange.