Red Plants Driving Me Nuts

[ivanlo24]

Been trying some red plants, however, either the bottom leaf melt away or/and the new shoots are coming out green and the leaves are smaller.

This is true for all of the stemmed red plants that I tried.

I have a 3 x 1.5 x 1.5 ft tank with 4 x T5 39 W tubes. More than 3 watts per gallon. 2 bubbles per sec CO2, liquid and root ferts. Water at 28 degrees.

Can anyone help me?

[benetay]

3 watts per gallon is a general rule for most plants. So if you're growing high intensity red plants you might need more then that. Bottom melt off are sign of insufficient light. Try raising your lightings. I remembered i did a 7 watts per gallon experiment & red plants grew brick red.

Your mile may vary.

Cheers!

[taz_boy]

also not forgetting. Red plants need Fe dosage

[hii]

Those normal light from LFS come with papar reflector which are not effective enough, if you change the reflector to "M" reflector than you see the effect clearer (most original light difficult to modify, i suggest DIY or use those light from DE lighting).

[torque6]

DE lighting are expensive, but worth the investment as hii pointed out. I wouldnt put too much emphasis on FE dosing yet, just need to up your lighting first then dose FE accordingly once the plants start growing instead of melting on you.

[blue33]

If you cannot control the amount of FE well, algae will start to appear. To make FE successful absorb, you need to add some Magnesium Sulphate or what you can do is dose slightly more traces also can. Light is also important to get it red.

[Delwin]

i had 3.8 watts for my red plant and fe dosing... so far so good
you can add i part fe to 2 part traces

[benetay]

Let us know your outcome. Red plants need high light intensity like most of us have mentioned. On top of that, a slightly cooler water temperature + high light will result in nice wine red. I'm not sure if it really helps with cooler water but i believe it does somehow help indirectly.

Cheers!

[blue33]

Let us know your outcome. Red plants need high light intensity like most of us have mentioned. On top of that, a slightly cooler water temperature + high light will result in nice wine red. I'm not sure if it really helps with cooler water but i believe it does somehow help indirectly.

Cheers!

Yes. Cooler water plus MH gives the best colour of the plant. Just like in stone age, everything is so big and so "cool" at that time.

[AquaObsession]

I think Ranmasatome (Justin) did mention also in the past that nitrate level also affect the redness. Depriving them of nitrate should bring more of the red. Hope I am not mistaken here.

Cheers, Christophe

[blue33]

I think Ranmasatome (Justin) did mention also in the past that nitrate level also affect the redness. Depriving them of nitrate should bring more of the red. Hope I am not mistaken here.

Cheers, Christophe

You mean less or more nitrate?

[AquaObsession]

Less. But do not take my word for it. That's what I recalled from a thread I've read before here.

Cheers, Christophe

[ivanlo24]

Thanks bros, should i add more t5 or shoot for MH? Have nothing to hang on on the ceiling. would that be fine?

[AquaObsession]

4*39 is enough. Otherwise, 1*150 watts MH lights, good also. See the solite clip on.

Justin (ranmasatome) ( why am I refering to him twice in a day) had a similar 3*1.5*1.5 running on 4*39 T5, see his ada06 or 07 tank. Manage to get red plants.

[ivanlo24]

how long can the intensity of T5 tubes last? Am thinking, since 4*39 W now, maybe the melting could be due to the tubes needing to be replaced.

[AquaObsession]

My T5 bulbs last 1year plus. Think it's about a year or more.

[torque6]

Ivan,

By the way, what red plants are you keeping ? Any pics ? Not all red plants have the same requirements...

[blue33]

Ok! I've just researched and tested, you need to supplement Fe(iron), and you need also "Magnesium Sulphate" to work for the plant to absorb Fe. Too high nitrate you have lesser red, it'll still be red but not as red, too low nitrate you have stunt growth. Tom Barr mention this before in one of his post, last night i tried on my tank, this morning i see difference in my plant.

[blue33]

Here's one of the link i done for my "Eustralis stellata" plant, and it involves the reddish colour. Click here!

[StanChung]

Longer high intensity lighting period also makes them go redder. I got itchy fingered and left the light on for 18 hours and all the red plants became more intense red. Perhaps nitrate intake became high and supply became short?

I do believe cool water and Fe dosing are also key.