Dosage for ADA ECA for red plants

[o2bubble]

hi all, the instuction says to dose 2 drops for every 5l after each water change weekly. So do I dose 120 drops for my 300l tank? I used to dose only 60 drops weekly but notice the red plants such as didiplis, r.nanjean, l.arcuata colors still dull and not full red/orange. Just start to dose 100 drops yesterday after water change..

[StanChung]

To help you save time, 20 drops is roughly = 1ml.

Try the new dosage and give it time to react so that you know what each parameter change will affect. Let's say a week to check on the new growth. L. arcuata is pretty slow for a stem plant.

[o2bubble]

thanks, will see if any improvements.

Besides iron, does phosphate and nitrate play a part in producing red coloration? Using amazonia/powersand with ada step1, 1/4 teaspoon potassium phophate and 30ml ferka k, weekly after water change, not dosing nitrate, co2 at 30-40ppm, 26c, 300w ada mh.

[StanChung]

I think in order of importance-high lighting[300L I estimate you need about 360W and above], 9-10 hour photoperiod, fertilization[iron+].
Low nitrate can boost the deep red colour but I don't think this can be controlled well. I certainly haven't been able to do so.

Stem plants are very hungry plants-if don't feed them it will show.