I couldn’t leave the corkscrew willows in the upper biofilter tank. The hydroton grow medium is not heavy enough to keep the willows upright and in the tank when the wind blew. I knew putting them there was a temporary solution. Yesterday I implemented a more permanent fix. The willows are only in the water for this summer.
The half-gallon pots have recycled window screen in the bottom to keep the gravel from migrating out the drain holes. The willow trunks are held in place against the side of the tank frame by truck inner tube pieces and staples. The pots are held up against the side of the tank by cord hangers over hex head screws. Everything can be easily removed when it comes time to plant the willows out after they go dormant this fall.