Red Mangroves

I just got a bunch of red mangroves from John at Reefcleaners...(Awesome as usual).

My questions are ...
Do I stick them in the sand as if planting them in my refugium?
Also is it ok if the tops are out of the water an inch or two?

Thanks!

 

the tops need to be out of the water by an inch or so. you can plant them in the sand as long as they are tall enough that the little pointy piece is completley out of water.

 

The tops do need to be out of the water, if you have a piece of Styrofoam you could cut holes in it and float them until their roots grow out a good bit. The roots will grow out and grab onto whatever is around.

 

if you dont plant them in the sand....how do you keep them up....just curious!
Or can they just lay on the top too!?

 

They can grow completely hydroponically. The big thing with mangroves is to be sure that the top inch or so is always out of the water, and also it is very important to spray them with freshwater every couple days or so to keep salt creep from climbing up the stem.

I use a hairdressers spray bottle and keep it on my "Tank shelf" and when I turn the lights on to fuge at night I spray 'em.

They're really cool, don't be alarmed when it takes months to see your first leaf. As long as the tops stay green then they are good, you may have one or two turn brown on top which means they're done.

Have fun!

 

you can wedge them in Styrofoam as mentioned above, or ive seen the rubber banded to a pipe/stick the runs over the fuge

 

I used styrofoam until they had a pretty good root structure, and then just stuck them all around my MJ 400 in my fuge. just be creative. Laying them on top and letting them float might actually work.. but if I were you I'd use styrofoam pieces til they get a good root structure.

 

Yeah I think if you are going to float them you should use styrofoam and keep them upright.

 

I kinda planted them in the sand and rock rubble I have in there....they are all over in there and some are 1'' out and some are 3'' out.

I guess its ok if they are out more than not out at all....we'll see how they do.

Do they get upset or mad if you move them around a few times?

 

I had a bunch of pod and put most in the sand but floated 10. They all formed aerial root structure but only the planted have developed leafs.

Anyway...don't move them to much once they start to root. I've killed a couple by trying to relocate and breaking to much root structure off when replanting. They like a slow flow and good light. If you put your hand on the tip of the pod and under the light and feel heat your light is too close to them.