Pls recommend low-tech red plants

[gid]

Hi bros,

Pls recommend some red plants that are good for low-tech. Mine is a 1 foot tank, with high light, no co2, no chiller. Preferably something short not too fast-growing cos my tank is shallow. (something like a 'false' stem plant like Blyxia Japonica)

I currently have Luwidja Bevipes, whihc I hope to replace because the red is not contrasting enough.

Tks bros!

[5stars]

Wouldn't high light with no CO2 be an invitation to algae? For low tech reds, you can try Cryptocoryne species, many of which are redish brown, do not grow tall, and do not require high light.

[barmby]

5stars is probably right. cryptocoryne wendtii. you can try that. it is only brownish and not red. however, not sure if this is what you consider as red.

sadly, there ain't red plants around without pushing the parameters to high level.

[Shadow]

some bucephalandra is red or maybe brown

[gid]

Oh yes Cryptocoryne! Aka 'Crypts' right? I think they will work really well with the look of my tank.

I have never understood what are Crypts all about, that they even have their own sub forum.

[mayton]

Rotala roundifolia can be red and pinkish if u give high light, it is a stem plant, even to trim by doing cuttings. It can be beautiful as well in bunches if you can aquascape well.

[Fishy Business]

Plant 1
Echinodorus
'Reni'

‘Reni’ is a well-known cultivar characterised by being amongst the smallest of the red Echinodorus, 15-40 cm tall and a roset from 15-25 wide. The new leaves of the plant are reddish-brown to deep beetroot in colour. It can be used in small aquariums and is unpretentious. The plant requires a lot of light and nourishment for optimal colour development.

Origin: Cultivar
Type: Rosette
Growth: Medium
Height: 15 cm - 40 cm
Width: 15 cm - 15 cm
Light demands: 0.25 Watt per liter
CO2 demands: 3-5 mg per liter

Plant 2
Ludwigia
sp.

This cosmopolitan stalk plant turns red easier and is smaller than the well-known Ludwigia repens ’Ruby’. Each stalk becomes 2-4cm wide and 10-30cm high. The plant willingly creates side shoots, but cutting increases the amount and leaves the plant even closer. The cut-off shoots can be replanted and they quickly generate new roots. The plant becomes intensely red and grows better, when placed in light and with added CO2.

Origin: Cosmopolitan
Type: Stem
Growth: Medium
Height: 10 cm - 30 cm
Width: 4 cm - 6 cm
Light demands: 0.25 Watt per liter
CO2 demands: 3-5 mg per liter

Plant 3
Hygrophila
polysperma 'Rosanervig'

Hygrophila polysperma 'Rosanervig' is normally an undemanding plant. But if you want deep-pink leaves you must provide intensive light. Stems becomes 20-40 cm tall and 5-8 cm wide. The distinctive colouring of the light leaf ribs is probably caused by a virus which prevents chlorophyll from being produced in the cells around the leaf ribs, making them white. However, this virus does not affect other plants in the aquarium.

Origin: Cultivar
Type: Stem
Growth: Medium
Height: 20 cm - 30 cm
Width: 6 cm - 10 cm
Light demands: 0.25 Watt per liter
CO2 demands: 3-5 mg per liter


Plant 4
Echinodorus
'Rubin'

Echinodorus 'Rubin' is a decorative hybrid between Echinodorus horemanii ‘Red’ and Echinodorus ‘Barthii’ with up to 60 cm long leaves and a roset from 20-40 cm wide. The transparent, ruby-red leaves with light leaf ribs provide a particularly intensive sheen. An undemanding plant whose growth is stimulated by CO2 addition and a nutritious bottom. A good solitary plant for large aquariums.

Origin: Cultivar
Type: Rosette
Growth: Medium
Height: 30 cm - 50 cm
Width: 20 cm - 40 cm
Light demands: 0.25 Watt per liter
CO2 demands: 3-5 mg per liter

Hope this will help

[barmby]

BTW, the photos are not showing. Tropica don't allow hotlinking of image I believe

[bennyc]

I am also interested in red plants, but i am confused. Is the below Ludwigia sp. or rotala roundifolia
IMG_0684.jpg

[barmby]

It is rotala. The top part of the plant is stunted by the way.

[bennyc]

Sorry gid bro, seems to divert your post already. I will start a new post if you think it is necessary. By the way I only have the following question, nothing more.

It is rotala. The top part of the plant is stunted by the way.

What do you mean by stunted? Not enough light? It was it this condition when i bought it from LFS. So it is rotala red?

[barmby]

Confirm it is rotala unless someone point out otherwise. Stunted growth i meant