Mangrove in a tall tank.

[crazytai21]

Hi everyone,

I got a few free mangrove from a buddy and was wondering how people plant them in a taller tank. My rock work tallest peak is about 7-8 inches below water line. I heard they need to be in substrate or at least touching rock work. I have a IM 112ex tank so there a 3 inch lip all the way around. Was going to but them in a mounted basket but that wouldn't work. Any advise would be very helpful.

 

[KoenE]

I have a mangrove in my 50cm tall tank since the start of the tank, I printed a clamp to hang it on the edge of the glass with a rubber band, and it started out with its roots suspended in the air. It just grew a single long root to get to the substrate, and during the last two months it grew a second to get more footing. It also sprouted the first two branches this week so something is going well for it. I also seldom spray it with water. I started it out as a seedpod without leaves around 2.5 years ago.

 

[crazytai21]

That looks good. I have an issue with my tank having a 3" lip around the tank so I can't clip to the side or back wall. Are you adding extra lighting too it?

 

[KoenE]

Maybe someone in you area can print a bracket for you?
I have an E27 18W led grow light (sunshine color, contains 5 different kind of leds) from aliexpress above it.

 

[OrionN]

You can loosely attach it somewhere or use a temporary brace. Once it sends its roots to the rock work it will secure itself. Mine send roots all over the sump. My Black mangroves also send air roots to the water surface. That was what I use to loosely attach my Red Mangroves using a loose zip tie

 

[CHSUB]

heard they need to be in substrate or at least touching rock work

While not complete true, growth suspended in the water column is painful slow. Connected to rock is better and planted in soil is many times better than both.

 

[OrionN]

You can loosely attach it somewhere or use a temporary brace. Once it sends its roots to the rock work it will secure itself. Mine send roots all over the sump. My Black mangroves also send air roots to the water surface. That was what I use to loosely attach my Red Mangroves using a loose zip tie

I am not sure about this. The roots of mine grew very quickly. I think it has to do with how many leaves it has and how much light. Once there are leaves and good light, the plant can really gather energy and send shoot grow very quickly.

 

[crazytai21]

I got my 5 today from algae barn I guess 4 but it’s currently in the sump. I’m trying to figure out the best way to put them close to the substrate. I saw someone completed submerge and the mangrove grew out of the water. Have any of you seen that before?? Also using chaeto gro mixed with tap water to spray the leaves a good or bad idea??

 

[crazytai21]

Currently setup for temporary