Red Root floater wants more light

[Fishfur]

The fixture over their tank might be my oldest and I think may need to be replaced because I noticed they’re standing pretty tall for floaters.

They’re as much a 3” above the water and the roots are pale pink instead of red - pretty sure they need a lot more light intensity. But they’re growing like weeds all the same.

First pic is the tank from above and second is a side view showing how they’re standing up, I’ll get them more light pronto - they’re perfectly nice when they’re green but much more dramatic when they’re red.

 

[3Fishnight]

Yep a different light would prolly bring out their reds more. Pale pink roots are kinda cool.

 

[CallLifeAlert]

This is how mine are. They grow quick and spread easy but the roots tend to stay pink. I need more light but I think part of my problem is that my water lettuce grows so quick and big that they end up covering the red root floaters too.

 

[ruud]

The desired red is supposedly mostly accomplished through nitrate limitation. Never tried this myself though.

 

[BeachCruiser]

Wow, that's crazy! Does any light penetrate to the submerged plants below?

 

[Fishfur]

Wow, that's crazy! Does any light penetrate to the submerged plants below?

Not a lot but there isn’t anything underneath that isn’t super low light. Still, needs to be cleaned up for sure.

 

[BeachCruiser]

Interesting! I keep mine pretty sparse (toss a few ziplocks full every couple weeks). Makes a pleasant dappled effect below in the gentle surface current...

 

[Fishfur]

Interesting! I keep mine pretty sparse (toss a few ziplocks full every couple weeks). Makes a pleasant dappled effect below in the gentle surface current...

I have been busy - aren’t we all? It’s the hardest tank to work on because it’s on the bottom shelf so it tends to get the short end of the stick, so to speak.