Mangroves In A Freshwater Aquarium

[Roger Mcfish]

Was wondering if I was to get a few foot long mangrove seedlings, how would I place them in an aquarium?

Meaning do they need to suspend in the water column? Do they need to be planted? Are they supposed to be submerged and then grow out through the top?

Looking for any info on how to setup seedings in an aquarium.

 

[danotaylor]

duanes

 

[Deadeye]

I was able to get a pod to grow by having the roots suspended in the water and the leaves growing out the top.
The mangrove did well until the tetras decided it would look better without roots - so I would bury or protect the roots if you can.

 

[Roger Mcfish]

I was able to get a pod to grow by having the roots suspended in the water and the leaves growing out the top.
The mangrove did well until the tetras decided it would look better without roots - so I would bury or protect the roots if you can.

What did you use to suspend it in the tank?

 

[duanes]

When I first grew mangrove pods, I filled the hollow part of a bamboo stem with sand, and placed it so the emerging tree stem was just above the surface water of a 125 gal sump (June 2021).

As time went along the trees root system overwhelmed the confines of the bamboo, Aug 2023.

and now 2 years later the mangrove roots are about to overwhelm the 3rd of 125 gal sump they are placed in


They have been separated, and with a couple just trees suspended, in the main tank, and the main rootball, moved to its own separate barrel sump, just in case the roots thwart the integrity of the 125 gal. (2026)

 

[Deadeye]

What did you use to suspend it in the tank?

I have an egg crate lid, so I just cut holes large enough in the hood and used zip ties to secure the mangrove and some lucky bamboo.

 

[Roger Mcfish]

I have an egg crate lid, so I just cut holes large enough in the hood and used zip ties to secure the mangrove and some lucky bamboo.

And doesn't need to be planted right? I have an extra pothos holder I can use until it starts getting bigger later down the road.

 

[Deadeye]

It probably would grow better if it were planted in the substrate, but did not seem to need it.

 

[duanes]

Agree with deadeye
I separated a large tangle/ clump of trees later, and have left some of them simply suspended bare root in other areas, and they seem to do fine.