How to Make Red Colored Aquatic Plants Grow Better

Introduction to Red Water Plants: In terms of leaf shape, red water plants can be broadly classified into three types: broad-leaved, thin-leaved and pointy-leaved. In terms of color, red water plants have various colors such as red, reddish brown, brown, etc., while the depth of these colors is affected by environmental factors, resulting in colorful shades such as orange-red, light-red, dark-red, reddish-red, purplish-red and other colorful shades.

First, there is the need for light. The beautiful red color of red aquatic plants often requires strong light to be fully appreciated. Especially in the broadleaf genus with large red leaves, the effect of the rich crimson color cannot be achieved without strong light. For this reason, red plants should be placed in the brightest possible light in the aquarium to ensure they receive the necessary exposure.

To ensure that red aquatic plants receive optimum lighting conditions, we usually choose to install aquatic plant lamps with a specific range of wavelengths.

Red aquatic plants require both red and blue light spectrums. Red light (660nm) helps promote leaf and stem growth, while blue light (450nm) helps prevent aquatic plants from growing excessively. In addition, red and blue light play a key role in photosynthesis as chlorophyll absorbs mainly red and blue light for photosynthesis.

Red aquatic plants require adequate hours of light, and it is usually recommended that they receive 10 hours or more of light per day. Too strong a light source or too long a light period can lead to algae outbreaks, so proper control of light intensity and time is necessary.

Red light (660nm): promotes growth of leaf stems and makes red aquatic plants more vibrant.

Blue light (450nm): Prevents wasted growth and helps aquatic plants maintain a compact shape.

Green light: Although green light has little effect on the coloration of red aquatic plants, suitable strong light can make red aquatic plants more vibrant.

The second is to control the water temperature. The water temperature is usually maintained around 20-23℃ when the red aquatic plants have the most vivid colors, and too high or too low a temperature is not conducive to the display of their colors. There fore, in the aquarium, we need to pay close attention to changes in water temperature and adjust accordingly to ensure that the red aquatic plants can be in the best state of growth.

Finally, water quality must be controlled. The choice and quality of liquid fertilizer is crucial when growing red straw. Red straw has a relatively high demand for liquid fertilizer and at the same time the quality of the liquid fertilizer is also very demanding. It should be noted that excessive fertilization can lead to dehydration of the red grass, making its color too light and even affecting its healthy growth. Therefore, when fertilizing, pay attention to the changes in the terminal buds and whether the color is powdery to ensure proper fertilization and healthy growth of the red grass. It is also necessary to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus levels. The natural release of nitrogen and phosphorus can be effectively reduced by using nitrogen and phosphorus free fertilizers and by reducing the number of fish to be fed. In addition, regular water changes can further dilute excess nitrogen and phosphorus. In addition, moderate increases in iron fertilization can help keep phosphorus concentration low.