How do we maintain Red plants Reddish colour?

[kingdamm]

Hello all,
I was in the planted aquarium hobby for the past two years.I came to see posts of Tom barr, I had gone crazy with the pics of his 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

 

[misha]

Nasea is very difficult plant to grow, very few people have success to maintain this plant, especially red nasea.
Bringing this plant closer to light source may make the difference.

 

[Hallen]

No3 limitation is cheating and risky. You need lotsa nutrients in the first place. Second place comes lighting, increase it slowly while keeping a close eye on the nutrients (Co2 included) until you get the shade of red you want while still being able to maintian the nutrient uptake of the plants.

Also get a good pair of sciccors, you will be pruning alot

Could you tell us a little bit more about the photoperiod? Do you run all bubls at 100%?
How much nutrients and Co2 do you dose?
Got a picture of the plants?

 

[kingdamm]

I run the lights for 7 hrs/day. ya all tubes @ 100% from starting itself (216w T5 HO)
Aquarium Fertilizer Macro Macro Nutrient Mix (Made by adding, 60-grams of Macro Micro Nutrient Mix to 440-mililiters of distilled water )
Dosing them 7ml daily
Co2 @ 4-5 Bps till my Drop checker maintain Sightly Yellow
Ferrous Gluconate (250 ml of distilled water to 24 grams (heavy 2 teaspoons) of ferrous gluconate powder.)
Dosing them 9ml daily
Water change 50% weekly
Fishes - Amano shrimp 10nos, Harlequin Rasbora 8nos , Ottos 6Nos, Cardinal Tetra 10Nos

I will b posting the pics soon..

Thanks
Hallen