Documenting Growing red mangroves, I might be insane

[BristleWormHater]

R2R re-post:
This will be where I document the growth of these mangroves until I move them to my tank, from then on it will be my build thread.
Here are the links for part one and two of this saga: Part one, Part two <-These are on R2R
So heres the crazy plan I have made. These mangroves were grown in freshwater so I will be slowly acclimating them to saltwater. Im a saltwater freak, so where do I have freshwater? I have RO water, but that stuff is completely devoid of nutrients! THE CREEK BEHIND MY HOUSE!!!! I passed the athleticism test by getting over my fence and gathered water and soil from the creek, this stuff should have plenty of nutrients for the mangroves! I was told not to do this earlier, because this water could have contaminants, but I checked the EPA website and according to their map, I do not live in a groundwater contamination zone. So if this all goes wrong IT IS THE GOVERNMENT'S FAULT!
Here's the pics so far, yes these will be growing outside!
I might go down in history as the only person to ever grow mangroves in creek water

Figured I would post this on ARC too, this is gonna be fun!
The R2R link is here if you would rather view it there:Original R2R post

 

[chaples55]

Tap water would work just as well lol. I doubt the creek water has significant amounts of nutrients, though you've got the right idea that it's definitely better than RO. Most creeks I know of around here have very clean and soft water. That's ok though because you want the nutrients to be in the substrate for mangroves. I would put a couple inches of organic potting soil in the bottom and cap that with the sandy soil from the creek. I say organic because ideally you want to avoid soil that has wetting agents (at least that's the general rule for soil in freshwater planted aquariums, not sure it matters for just mangroves). Also I would reduce the water level. I've gotten good results having only the bottom 1-3 inches of the prop submerged, especially in stagnant water.

Most importantly, you will need to bring this setup inside for the winter. Mangroves will not tolerate freezing temperatures. They can in theory handle low 40s briefly but ideally should be kept above 66°f. Sitting in a bright window should be just fine.

 

[BristleWormHater]

Tap water would work just as well lol. I doubt the creek water has significant amounts of nutrients, though you've got the right idea that it's definitely better than RO. Most creeks I know of around here have very clean and soft water. That's ok though because you want the nutrients to be in the substrate for mangroves. I would put a couple inches of organic potting soil in the bottom and cap that with the sandy soil from the creek. I say organic because ideally you want to avoid soil that has wetting agents (at least that's the general rule for soil in freshwater planted aquariums, not sure it matters for just mangroves). Also I would reduce the water level. I've gotten good results having only the bottom 1-3 inches of the prop submerged, especially in stagnant water.

Most importantly, you will need to bring this setup inside for the winter. Mangroves will not tolerate freezing temperatures. They can in theory handle low 40s briefly but ideally should be kept above 66°f. Sitting in a bright window should be just fine.

The creek behind my house Is pretty dirty, a tree fell over it so the flow of the creek is very slow now. I bring the mangroves inside every night and I do not put them outside if it's below 65 outside.

 

[PJs_Bucket_List]

Hmmm... climbing a fence to dig up dirt and gather creek water for a gardening experiment. My friend, if you're insane, you're my kind of crazy ! Before the diagnosis and treatment that trashed my health, this is exactly the kind of thing I'd do. I hope it works out beautifully for you. Best of luck, and keep us posted!

 

[BristleWormHater]

Hmmm... climbing a fence to dig up dirt and gather creek water for a gardening experiment. My friend, if you're insane, you're my kind of crazy ! Before the diagnosis and treatment that trashed my health, this is exactly the kind of thing I'd do. I hope it works out beautifully for you. Best of luck, and keep us posted!

Thank you!
Sorry to here about your health
I'll post updates soon, they are doing well!

 

[BristleWormHater]

Thank you!
Sorry to here about your health
I'll post updates soon, they are doing well!

*hear

 

[BristleWormHater]

Okay here are the updates!!
I forgot to post them here, I'm copy lasting them from r2r

 

[BristleWormHater]

Day two and three update!!
Forgot to post day 2's update here it is
The leaves have hardened and spread out more. The chaetogro got here today and I dosed 2.5ml we'll see if that helps. Im still a little concerned about the un-bloomed propagule, it still looks shriveled, but it was a freebie so its alright. I also taped all the mangroves above the water because I heard you can get more desirable root structures if you let the roots find the bottom themselves.

Day three update!
Leaves are good, the mangroves look a little taller too. The propagule looks the same. I noticed the first few creek hitchhikers. Some weird little worms, doesn't seem like they are harming the mangroves. I'll leave them be for now. These pictures were taken inside because there wasn't any sun outside and temps are gonna go a little low tonight I figured I'd bring them in before I forget. Ignore my messy desk

worm is on the mangrove stalk in this pic
Weird little biofilm here

 

[BristleWormHater]

Here's another update!
I've been making some changes. I added a pump, I'm thinking I might move these guys to a different enclosure, this vase is a little crowded. I'm using this ring light to grow them since it's been really cloudy recently.
Also I've noticed healthier leaves since I dosed chaetogro.

Can't see roots well since I just added the pump and everything is cloudy for now.
Btw, The thought process behind the pump is
Surface disturbance=more o2 in water=more o2 available to mangrove roots=better mangrove growth.

 

[BristleWormHater]

Another update today (don't get used to it lol)
I did some reading since the stalks were looking a little brown, apparently this is caused by iron excess. In order to neutralize the iron excess, plants need tannins, so I added a magnolia leaf and a peice of wood. I repositioned the mangroves too, I think today is the last day the mangroves will be in this vase. I'm going to clear out this moss growout tank and move the mangroves in there with the pump too. I think that will be a much better setup.