Planted Tank question.

[RustyRocket]

Hey guys,

 

Anyone keep nano planted tanks here? (Wrong forum, I know...But this is the only forum I keep up with, and could appreciate some help.)

 

My 'red' plants arent really establishing to be red. They are colouring up, but more to a pinkish and semi-transparent. They are growing well, I trim every other week, they just dont colour up as vibrantly as I see them on youtube videos/pictures. Any idea what is wrong? Could It be that I just have a pink strains of the plants.

 

The tank is lit by 10000k LEDs, not the strongest, like radions, but decent and gets round 25 PAR on the substrate. Co2 injected, at 2 bubblers per second and I use the Tropica Premium Fertilizer.

 

Plants going pink:

Rotala Macrandra

Rotala Rotundifolia

Alternanthera Reineckii 'Mini'

Alternatnthera Rosanervig

Rotala wallichii (only the tips)

 

moderators please remove or relocate if this is too off topic.

 

[jestep]

What's your substrate? Iron would immediately come to mind.

[yomon347]

With co2 you have to dose ferts weekly and do large water changes each week. Red plants are the most difficult to keep and require high light, high co2 and non limiting ferts.

The following site is a great reference with a lot of good people:

 

 

http://www.plantedtank.net

 

I use to have a high light co2 tank but the maintenance was more than my reef tank so i scaled back and went low light, no co2.

[Markburns43]

I would suggest more iron, if you don't have enough light more co2 is needed to compensate which requires more nutrients. Dry ferts will be cheaper in the long run but for now and with such a small tank liquid ferts are easy. Plus one on planted tank.net great forum. Planted tanks are a great balancing act between light ferts and co2 you'll get it dialed in. I'd want to say maybe more light 25 par seems mild so maybe alittle tweaking with your co2 first

[pewpewkittah]

When I kept a high-maintenance planted tank I dosed macro-nutrients. You can make RO solutions with powders or just dose the powders themselves. I would definitely recommend Planted Tank for buying the ferts and learning more about high-maintenance tanks. Specifically iron will help with bringing out the red in plants.

 

This guy sells a variety of ferts. I bought mine from him and I definitely recommend his products. Good prices too.

 

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/153-sale-trade/997210-dry-ferts%7Cliquid-ferts%7C-custom-fertilizer-mixing%7Ccholla-wood%7Cials%7C.html

 

30 PAR at the substrate is just fine, even for Dwarf baby tears. I assume at the tips of the plants you're trying to grow it's indeed over 50 PAR "high lighting". The PAR values for planted tanks vs. reef tanks is much different. More light won't necessarily hurt, but you need to balance that with ample co2.

 

What is the type of plant you're trying to encourage red tips with?

[D3monic]

Hmm, my current planted tanks are ultra low mait... like all I do is top off water. Haven't dosed or done a water change in over a year.

 

But these tanks are mostly anubias and java ferns. My old 75 planted tank I had CO2 and pretty much just used remineralize and brightwells florin grow. That was about it.

[NYfishies]

With co2 you have to dose ferts weekly and do large water changes each week. Red plants are the most difficult to keep and require high light, high co2 and non limiting ferts.

The following site is a great reference with a lot of good people:

 

 

http://www.plantedtank.net

 

I use to have a high light co2 tank but the maintenance was more than my reef tank so i scaled back and went low light, no co2.

 

What types of plants are you keeping? My GF and I are about to start a new nano planted tank (in my sig) and I am starting to become quite concerned with the maintenance of CO₂ and ferts. Water changes are not the issue. Having 2 reefs already I am just afraid not enough time. We really want baby tears or dwarf baby tears covering a good portion of the substrate. Thanks!

[RustyRocket]

When I kept a high-maintenance planted tank I dosed macro-nutrients. You can make RO solutions with powders or just dose the powders themselves. I would definitely recommend Planted Tank for buying the ferts and learning more about high-maintenance tanks. Specifically iron will help with bringing out the red in plants.

 

This guy sells a variety of ferts. I bought mine from him and I definitely recommend his products. Good prices too.

 

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/153-sale-trade/997210-dry-ferts%7Cliquid-ferts%7C-custom-fertilizer-mixing%7Ccholla-wood%7Cials%7C.html

 

30 PAR at the substrate is just fine, even for Dwarf baby tears. I assume at the tips of the plants you're trying to grow it's indeed over 50 PAR "high lighting". The PAR values for planted tanks vs. reef tanks is much different. More light won't necessarily hurt, but you need to balance that with ample co2.

 

What is the type of plant you're trying to encourage red tips with?

Rotala Macrandra

Rotala Rotundifolia

Alternanthera Reineckii 'Mini'

Alternatnthera Rosanervig

Rotala wallichii (only the tips)

Is my current Red plants list. Im a little fustrated since for the more famous red plants, they arent that rich in colour. the AR only have pink on the underside of leaves, and the Rotala's are somewhat transparent. I grow HC as a carpet on the substrate ok, granted not a thick carpet, but they do spread. I experimented a little bit with a camera yesterday, since I have 10000k lights the red looks pink/magneta, When I corrected for white balances and played with the tones a little bit, the plants come out more of a vibrant red. Starting to think its the colour rendition of the lights, some one here warned me about that before.

 

 

What types of plants are you keeping? My GF and I are about to start a new nano planted tank (in my sig) and I am starting to become quite concerned with the maintenance of CO₂ and ferts. Water changes are not the issue. Having 2 reefs already I am just afraid not enough time. We really want baby tears or dwarf baby tears covering a good portion of the substrate. Thanks!

 

If you want less maintenance you should stay away from stem plants and High tech systems, I am running a high tech dutch system roughly the same size as you (topless fluval edge) and have to do hard trim backs every 2 weeks. Takes about 2 hours worth of time every week on the water change and trims. I run 'high' light (for planted), CO2 and I get about double the plant mass every month worth of growth or there abouts.

[EquinsuOcha]

Got a picture of your planted tank? I am starting my planted 29 biocube this month. good luck with your problem though!

[pewpewkittah]

 

Rotala Macrandra

Rotala Rotundifolia

Alternanthera Reineckii 'Mini'

Alternatnthera Rosanervig

Rotala wallichii (only the tips)

Is my current Red plants list. Im a little fustrated since for the more famous red plants, they arent that rich in colour. the AR only have pink on the underside of leaves, and the Rotala's are somewhat transparent. I grow HC as a carpet on the substrate ok, granted not a thick carpet, but they do spread. I experimented a little bit with a camera yesterday, since I have 10000k lights the red looks pink/magneta, When I corrected for white balances and played with the tones a little bit, the plants come out more of a vibrant red. Starting to think its the colour rendition of the lights, some one here warned me about that before.

 

 

If you want less maintenance you should stay away from stem plants and High tech systems, I am running a high tech dutch system roughly the same size as you (topless fluval edge) and have to do hard trim backs every 2 weeks. Takes about 2 hours worth of time every week on the water change and trims. I run 'high' light (for planted), CO2 and I get about double the plant mass every month worth of growth or there abouts.

 

 

I apologize! I didn't see your original plant list. That's really weird, those seem to be the easier high tech plants in terms of boosting color. I've grown AR/AR mini and Rotala Rotundifolia in a low tech tank and even had great color.

 

I would definitely suggest getting some ferts from that guy. He has those pre-made liquid ones you just pump in every day or two. If you have a dosing system lying around or money to spare, grab the dry ferts and make your own solutions. It should last you at least a year and they only cost $28 shipped, that's even with the Iron add on. I can find the website that will calculate everything for you for each solution.

 

Now that I think about it, don't planted tanks need lighting more towards the 6500K spectrum? Generally, 10K in the planted tank is more for looks. Just what I remember.

[RustyRocket]

 

I apologize! I didn't see your original plant list. That's really weird, those seem to be the easier high tech plants in terms of boosting color. I've grown AR/AR mini and Rotala Rotundifolia in a low tech tank and even had great color.

 

I would definitely suggest getting some ferts from that guy. He has those pre-made liquid ones you just pump in every day or two. If you have a dosing system lying around or money to spare, grab the dry ferts and make your own solutions. It should last you at least a year and they only cost $28 shipped, that's even with the Iron add on. I can find the website that will calculate everything for you for each solution.

 

Now that I think about it, don't planted tanks need lighting more towards the 6500K spectrum? Generally, 10K in the planted tank is more for looks. Just what I remember.

 

Hmm...I thought it was the other way around. The LED that I use have 2 models, the 6500k was for freshwater, and 10000k was for planted tank... I have a 10000k in my Marine refugium, so thought it made sense. But will definitely take a look and check out another fixture.

 

Im currently using a all in one fertilizer with no Nitrates & Phosphates, purely iron, potassium and minor nutrients. Its called Tropica Premium fertilizer. Will definitely try a dosing system with dry ferts if and when I decide to go full on. Planning my rescape at the moment, ordering my ADA 60-P soon!

[RustyRocket]

Got a picture of your planted tank? I am starting my planted 29 biocube this month. good luck with your problem though!

I just did a trim over the weekend, so in a few days when the plants grow out again and hide the cut stubs, Ill take some photos.

But yeah I will post some, I'm in the middle of upgrading tho, so its more of a plant farm than dutch aquascape at the moment!

 

[Andreww]

Rotala Macrandra is a finicky plant anyway. You'll want a good balance of co2, ferts and light. Even then it's not guaranteed you'll have success with it.

Light should be in the 6500k spectrum.

10000k is not for planted tanks.

 

The pictures you see online have red led or red t5 bulb supplement. I had a Finnex planted + fixture over my tank and the red plants looked way better than they looked under the Kessil tuna sun. And that's because of the red led's.

 

Dose iron too, but not too much unless you want yellow water.

[shawnd08]

I have a 40B planted tank. Run pressurized c02 and EI dosing of dry ferts. The most involved part in maintaining the tank is the 50% water change every week.The red leds play a big role in plant growth. But the more light you have the more need for c02 which then requires dosing. I would say adding ferts should help. Just give it time and make small adjustments.