How do we maintain Red plants Reddish colour?

[kingdamm]

I was in the planted aquarium hobby for the past two years.I came to see posts, I had gone crazy with the pics of various tanks especially the Redder ones. Initially i had planted plants like rotala macranda,limnophila Aromatica,Nasea sp red leaf but they change their colour from red to green in a weeks time . Actually i have no luck in maintaining their red colour. I searched a lot regarding this.Many say lowering the nitrate level (5ppm-10ppm) and phosphate level (1ppm) can make them red. Anyone have success in maintaining them,Kindly suggest with your valuable suggestions and opinions..


My Tank specification
--------------------------
120cmx45cmx50cm
Pressurized co2@ 5-6bps
Substrate : ADA AMAZONIA New with Power sand spl
Lighting: 4 x 54w T5 HO (7 Hrs Daily)
Dosing : Aquarium Fertilizer ( Macro Macro Nutrient Mix ) + Fe gluconate
Water Change : 50% weekly

Regards
Kingdamm

[barmby]

Perhaps go with MH lights because they are really strong illumination

[Mossboss]

I believe the red pigment means red plants need very strong light for photosynthesis as compared to green plants. 4 tubes of T5 are probably not enough.

[blue33]

Cold water is also one of the important element affecting the plant redness which many people didnt know.

PS: 7hrs lighting is abit too short to get redness in plant also.

[Nic88]

Does Iron affect it too? I'm not too sure about it but I think I saw it somewhere before =/

[Marlinsons]

Bro, how long have you been using the lights? If more than 6 month, the CCFL tubes will loose the performance without you knowing. You will slowly realise once when you see that you plants are not pearling and red plants are turning to green in colour. Try changing your tubes. I believe it will help.

[o2bubble]

I believe longer hours at least 8 to 10 hours with strong lights, high CO2, low nitrate, high phosphate and cold waters should help a lot.

[mivec1997]

I believe cold water does play a part from my observation.
My tank was 30-31 degree and the plant (i don't know the name of the plant ) are all green since day one and after adding a fan to it last weekend which brings down the temperture to 27-28 degree, I can see that the leaves of the plant is beginning to turn red.

[felix_fx2]

I believe cold water does play a part from my observation.
My tank was 30-31 degree and the plant (i don't know the name of the plant ) are all green since day one and after adding a fan to it last weekend which brings down the temperture to 27-28 degree, I can see that the leaves of the plant is beginning to turn red.

This applies to some plants, NOT all plants. But it is indeed true. My ludwigia did not turn any reddish when in cooler waters. Instead at warmer but another few I tried had wonderful red in that range.

Had a plant which died after turning pinkish after 1 week. It was still in rockwool then too lol.

Hope this helps.