Alternanthera Reineckii

Anyone have suggestions for this plant? It’s been in my tank for about 3 weeks. I haven’t totally killed it yet so yay. It was a very bright pink, now it’s dulling a bit. My lights are on about 7 hours a day (split in am-pm) and I dose flourish and excel. Any tips would be helpful. Thanks.

 

Are you giving ferts?

 

Yeah, it's one of those plants that really does so much better with Co2. I have in with CO2 and without and the difference is noticeable. You may be able to get it a bit more pink with some iron. I use the Flourish iron by Seachems. Works pretty well.

 

The only fert is weekly flourish. I also dose excel every 2-3 days, I was told that would be like an alternative to CO2 injections?

 

The only fert is weekly flourish. I also dose excel every 2-3 days, I was told that would be like an alternative to CO2 injections?

Excel doesn't replace Co2 it isn't actually carbon dioxide, it's a compound that kills algae but it doesn't promote growth in the same way injecting Co2 does

 

Anyone have suggestions for this plant? It’s been in my tank for about 3 weeks. I haven’t totally killed it yet so yay. It was a very bright pink, now it’s dulling a bit. My lights are on about 7 hours a day (split in am-pm) and I dose flourish and excel. Any tips would be helpful. Thanks.
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To get reds, its mostly just higher light. As long as your dosing either an all in one fert like Tropica or NilocG, or micros/macros like CSm+B then you'll be good on iron, just need higher lighting. It also needs real CO2 and good lighting. It might survive without but... won't look very good/grow well

 

Ok, thanks all. Even the seachem website says excel is a good substitute for CO2, this is all confusing lol. I always worry if I go too high tech that my easy plants will suffer. Anubias, java fern...

 

I've grown alternanthera low-tech before. The key is to make sure that it has a good substrate, high lighting, and you must dose liquid iron. If you do all of these, it will remain fairly pink and grow fast.

 

I've grown alternanthera low-tech before. The key is to make sure that it has a good substrate, high lighting, and you must dose liquid iron. If you do all of these, it will remain fairly pink and grow fast.

Ok, that’s good news, I really didn’t want to do CO2. It’s in sand, I can turn lights on longer. I assume flourish isn’t good enough, so add iron ferts? Will this have a negative affect on the low tech plants? Also snails? Thanks.

 

Ok, that’s good news, I really didn’t want to do CO2. It’s in sand, I can turn lights on longer. I assume flourish isn’t good enough, so add iron ferts? Will this have a negative affect on the low tech plants? Also snails? Thanks.

Yep, CO2 definitely is not required for this plant. Do you have root tabs in the substrate? If not, put some in under the plant ASAP. An iron fert is definitely needed. I recommend either buying iron individually or investing in an all in one liquid fertilizer like Thrive or Easy Green. Iron will also help your low tech plants and snails will not be affected.

 

Yep, CO2 definitely is not required for this plant. Do you have root tabs in the substrate? If not, put some in under the plant ASAP. An iron fert is definitely needed. I recommend either buying iron individually or investing in an all in one liquid fertilizer like Thrive or Easy Green. Iron will also help your low tech plants and snails will not be affected.

Ok, sorry for all the questions. So get root tabs and iron? Or does something like thrive alone include it all? And, would I still be dosing flourish and excel?

 

Ok, I’m researching Thrive S (contains no copper for my snails and shrimp). The reviews are raving and it seems to have everything all in one, so no need for anything else if I’m reading that correctly. Hmm what to do with a brand new bottle of excel....

 

Ok, sorry for all the questions. So get root tabs and iron? Or does something like thrive alone include it all? And, would I still be dosing flourish and excel?

No problem, this forum is here to answer your questions!

Get root tabs in addition to thrive. Once you start dosing thrive, you can stop dosing flourish and excel.

 

No problem, this forum is here to answer your questions!

Get root tabs in addition to thrive. Once you start dosing thrive, you can stop dosing flourish and excel.

Ok great, do you recommend a certain brand of root tab?
Also, just came across this thread by -Mak- ...very informative. I appreciate the help, this is all very confusing. Haha
Info Before You Buy Flourish And Ferts In General

 

Ok great, do you recommend a certain brand of root tab?
Also, just came across this thread by -Mak- ...very informative. I appreciate the help, this is all very confusing. Haha
Info Before You Buy Flourish And Ferts In General

Osmocote root tabs work really well for me in my indoor aquariums. They are also very inexpensive compared to the other brands. I love the guide that -Mak- wrote. Super informative, yet easy to understand.

 

Osmocote root tabs work really well for me in my indoor aquariums. They are also very inexpensive compared to the other brands. I love the guide that -Mak- wrote. Super informative, yet easy to understand.

Thanks again, I went ahead of myself and ordered flourish roots tabs (contains iron) and Thrive s...fingers crossed.