Fuge/Macro + Mangrove questions

[ChrisNJ2012]

So i set up part of my sump with some live rock and put some macro algae in there.

Here are some quick specs on the macro in there and bulb:

I have cheato, ulva, Red Gracilaria, Fern Caulerpa and what i think was some Halimeda Monile thrown into my order as a bonus. Plus 7 red mangroves.

The bulb is a 5000k swivel bulb i got at Home Depot, could be 11-13 watts, said it could replace a higher wattage bulb. This bulb goes on about 45mins before my main lights go off at night and stays on for 8 hours. I also have a decent flow that goes to this area of the sump no waves but a slight ripple in the water.

I have two questions :

-Is the light too close or too far away from these macros for them to grow. Or do i need an even stronger bulb?

-Do some of those mangroves look dead? I originally ordered 15 of them in February and threw out about 8 of them last month because they shriveled up, turned brown and had no root structure. The 7 i kept all have red roots with white strands coming out of them so i assume they are still alive? That being said the first time any of the plants sprouted was a few days ago and is now about 1-2 inches with leaves.

Hopefully its clear in the picture but out of the 6 without leaves only one seems to be entirely green with a leaf about to sprout and possibly a second that is mostly green ready to sprout.

So do the other 5 that are green/brown have a chance? Should get rid of them or wait until they either sprout leafs or the red root structure dies?

Thanks!!!!!

 

[ruha456]

Pretty sure the Magrove roots need to be in the substrate but dont quote me.

 

[isnyc300]

How old is your tank?

 

[reefs4life]

Like ruha said, those roots need to be in or on something, either you allow them to grow of rocks or you plant them in mineral mud, sand or rock rubble or a combination of all of those things. Either way the roots need to feel that they can anchor themselves or else the mangrove won't grow.

 

[bizzarro]

I read they don't need to be rooted, after all in the wild parts of their roots are exposed.

However, if you bought them for nutrient export. Mangroves have more upkeep and not as efficient as the macroalgae you have.

 

[ChrisNJ2012]

Tank has been running for two years now.

I bought them in part because they look nice and nutrient export second (bought the macros for nutrient export) I read in a bunch of places that they do not need substrate but i probably missed the part about needing something for the roots to "grab" onto.

So would moving that red rock underneath the roots be more beneficial for the plants? Or would putting a plastic pot with substrate in the sump work better?
Also is the lack of substrate/rocks the reason the plants are not green/shriveled?

 

[Aquadicted]

i think the light is too small. Especially if you've had half of them die. IMO.

 

[ChrisNJ2012]

i sort of think that might be half the issue ill try another stronger bulb and see how they react