This video was so helpful. AR cardinalis is very easily available, but even after several attempts I only had one plant that grew very well... And then hungry snails ate all the leaves off of it. I already had a few suspicions about what I was doing wrong, but learning that it's already slow growing and needs to build a good root system FIRST were definitely nails in the coffin for why I've been failing. I would try to plant it way too early when a tank was still fluctuating, and they'd be overcome by algae. Or I'd have the tank stable, but the plant would still be developing, and I'd introduce fish and snails and they'd uproot it. So thank you for putting me in a position where I can better determine a good setup to add the plant to, and how to make sure it thrives.
Stefanie Sarros i have some AR mini in a lowish tech tank. Low lighting no c02 and ada amazonia for substrate it took a little bit but it has grown in nicely and is very healthy just make sure your lighting has a good red spectrun
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I just bought a small clump for color in my new tank. I thought that the red would be a nice contrast for my deep blue Betta and the rest of the green plants.
@@2hrAquarist Im getting back into Aquariums after 10 years, soooo much has changed. I did see a video where the had AR MINI growing on wood in a ADA video. Is it possible to keep AR MINI long term on a piece of wood?
Great tutorial on these amazing plants. I enjoyed watching. I subscribed and put notifications on, because your tutorial was spot on! Thank you for sharing!
Thanks, this helped me trim my Alternanthera after it had been free growing for half a year (just an overly dense foilage with ugly leaves at the bottom). Funny fact: The Mini grew taller than the Rosanervig in my tank, but I don't have proper CO2 and just EasyCarbo.
you prolly dont give a shit but does any of you know a trick to log back into an Instagram account?? I somehow forgot my login password. I love any assistance you can offer me.
@Jonas Jefferson i really appreciate your reply. I found the site on google and im in the hacking process atm. I see it takes a while so I will reply here later with my results.
Great video Dennis! I just got three very healthy AR's, and planted them in a new tank. Its been 3 days, they look great, so time will tell. Such a great looking aquatic plant! Some of my leaves have amazing reds underneath!
I got some tissue culture AR Mini. Planted in a brand new tank, and the are not doing well. They are turning transparent and melting slightly. 20g, 24" Current LED + Pro, ADA Amazonia 2, 6.5PH, 1-3ppm Amonia (still cycling), 1ml every other day of NilocG all in one fert, CO2 injection 30-60ppm, also dosing small amounts of liquid carbon. Tank has been up for a week. Blyxa Japonica, and HC Cuba also not doing super well, but not as bad as the AR mini.
Hi Dennis, I have seen a few of your videos and love them just good info and no bla bla bla. I am starting a new tank my third one. Can you please make me a recommendation on what substraat I should use. I thought of ADA but its so expensive ,so maybe akadama substraat I want a beautiful carpet of clossostigma elatinoides. Your help will be greatly apreciated. Dolf Janssen
I have seen your posts in the past at The Planted Tank. If you have the time take a look at the 125g journal for burr740. His AR mini grows well in inert Black Diamond Blasting Sand with primarily water column fert dosing. Actually his whole tank is pretty awesome.
I bought black substrate gravel and a small bag of mixed colors and a dark medium blue bag since my Betta is a dark medium blue. I just bought this red AR and placed it on my laptop sack. You are right. I can't wait to see what it looks like after I get the rocks and the driftwood set up in place.
I bought my first to day and the tissue culture bag called it both "cardinalis" and rosanervig. Then it went on to call it a plant for the middle or back of the tank because it gets tall. I do know fresh plants are really prone to being uprooted by fish or currents. They need to be squeezed between small stones to start.
ive just got some A.R Cardinalis, ive planted them as single stems each one being about 5/6 inches in length. Ive removed the bottom leaves and planted in 3/4 mm gravel without dirt substrate. Im dosing daily with Easycarb, and weekly with ferts. My lights are only t8s as its an old aquarium and the original tubes. Do you think il have success with my Cardinalis, and how long will it be before i see some new growth? Great video, many thanks.
+Stephen Campbell How fast it adapts depends on how different the conditions are from the source that you got the plant... and whether you're running on fast growth mode (high light/CO2/ferts) or slow. If you have fast conditions, within a week or 2 you should see reaction - new leaves or melting. If your tank is more on slow mode, may take more than a couple of weeks
You were right on the money, Dennis. I bought one, and it took a good 3 or 4 weeks before I saw growth. Now, my AR is growing very fast and is producing side stems. Do you recommend cutting a top and replanting or waiting for the side shoot to grow and cut that? Thank you!
Hi Dennis, thanks for such informative video. I find your video very detailed and sums up how to successfully grow and propagate certain plants. Can you make videos on some of the other stem and none stem plants? Thank you.
Hi Dennis, I have been trying to grow AR from tissue cultured that I bought from my local fish store....but unfortunately...I had failed for 3 times with the same result of melting away after 2 weeks....that includes of 1 dry start method that I tried...therefore...I will be really grateful if u could share some tips on how to successfully grow AR from tissue cultured as it is very hard for me to find tank grown AR here....thanks
Cycle the tank well before hand if you're using aquasoil. TC plants are more delicate and don't do well in fresh soil. Then make sure your flow/CO2 is good at the substrate level.
Hi Dennis....thanks for your reply...the tank (with Co2) is well cycled for 6 months and all other plants (such as Ludwigia Repens, Super red, staurogyne repens & MC) are doing well....that's why I m curious whether I did do anything wrong for the process of transferring TC plant to the tank...
mine grow fast. Use sand regular and just root tabs. let it grow in and then cut and plant cut and plant the trims. They take off> Just don't move em till they are grown in and cut below the roots on the stems. You can also lay them sideways and they grow even faster. They love FAST WATER! VERY FAST. that is why they look that way the water pushes them down and the roots on the stems lay sideways and carpet. So if you really want the stuff to grow fast just buy a saltwater blower and put it right in front of it.
Hi dennis I'm struggling to achieve the colour you have the bottom side of the leaf is your colour but the top is more brownish using co2 and ada soil and liquid fertilizer and a 36w led plant light on a 4ft tank I'm thinking my light is the down fall about was wondering your opinion thanks scott I'm a big fan your thanks are amazing
They definitely don't like to moved I have learned. I have the rosaefolia version myself. I've taken it from a 40B that it is growing to the surface and above, and then put it in a bigger tank with 4xt5HO and it melts before growing in new leaves (both tanks high tech). That being said, it does survive. I enjoy the videos man! Keep up the great work! P.S. What canister filters do you use?
Thanks man... I use pretty standard Eheims rated for that tank size? I haven't been all that big on filtration; I find that it's a bigger issue for fish only tanks. I do use purigen, and use additional pumps to get good flow though
Hi, i am using 32 watts of led, 5500 kelvin and my tank is 3ftx1.5ftx1.5ft. it is dirted with a layer of laterite on top. Occasional dosing of npk pellets but no co2. Which alternanthera species can i grow, if any?
Hi Dennis, what lighting requirements work best to ensure the deep red coloring of this plant? In other words, how well will it do in high, mid, and low light levels?
There are two sides to it; one is that the plant has to grow the red pigments - good fertilization, substrate, CO2 (especially) levels and med-high lighting should achieve that. Secondly is the visual effect of lighting up a tank and showing off the pigments; the reddest plant will not look red under just blue lights for example, they'll look purple/blue no matter how strong the light is. Using a bulb spectrum that has more red in it, in the tank above - red leds + blue, or if using fluorescent, using pink bulbs mixed in with daylight or lower K rating bulbs gives better visual presentation. Most fluorescent lighting has decent color rendering, its the cheaper leds on the market that often have awful color rendition even though they grow plants fine.
Another question: my alternanthera reineckki mini have started developing holes in the leaves. Do you know what could be the cause of that? I haven't come across much information and the bits that I have mention nutrient issues. Livestock are threadfin rainbowfish, whitecloud minnows, a couple nerite snails, and some amano shrimp. I use EI dosing and current satellite freshwater pro+ led lights set at 5 hours at 50% intensity, and of course co2 injection.
I see you used my photo to show algae infestation on the plant! The cardinalis variety I have is still not doing too well, and hardly grows at all. I believe I have good enough CO2, as I have greater than 1.0 pH drop and floating a stem in my tank doesn't help it at all. Do you think they respond better to root fertilization? I and many others have trouble with this plant in higher tech tanks with EI. I wouldn't mind seeing a video on Ludwigia Glandulosa - mine have good color but little vertical growth.
ha I've been spotted. I think your tank is somewhat of a mystery, maybe the answer lies outside a measurable parameter. I do suspect that the harder varietals do better in dirt; I've seen the easier varietals grown in any type of substrate though. This would explain why water dosing and CO2 injection doesn't always give results; I've seen that it doesn't always work even with EI/CO2. On the other hand, I'm growing both the AR mini and cardinalis in dirt non-CO2; the coloration is not as rich, but otherwise they grow well. Perhaps it also has to do with environmental stability or competition with other species. L. Glandulosa is a slow grower generally; if you have good color then you're doing well. I find the slow growth appealing actually; less pruning to do ha, but it can be frustrating if you're using it as a background and waiting for it to fill in. If its healthy, its easily propagated by cuttings though.
Hey I have a question about Co2...can you run the co2 all day and night? And for DIY Co2, will ut affect fish if you run it day and night? Because I cant see myself having to unplug the Co2 every evening then plug back on in the day due to work and prob forgetfulness. Thanks for the info
Depends on how much you are injecting and whether you are introducing additional O2 through surface agitation or airstones. If you want a very safe approach; you can let the CO2 run 24hrs but run an airstone on a timer at night.
mrchinee25 Co2 should not be run all day and night. It should be run simultaneously with the light on a timer. Get yourself a timer to run with the light and Co2. Plants produce Co2 at night and running it constantly will drop your PH very low.
Dennis Wong, I am trying to grow some Alternanthera Reineckii rosa at the moment. What would you say is an healthy growth rate per week with and without CO2?
Without CO2, Maybe half an inch if you have strong light. Slow if no CO2. With CO2, depends on how strong light/CO2/ferts are... can be quite fast if its not over- crowded
Dennis Wong one more question, have you experienced patches of the leaves on the AR becoming transparent? I have several leaves with patches that are transparent and the transparency is only noticeable when looking from bottom side of the leaf. It doesn’t affect the entire plant but only 1-2 nodes. I have come to realize this plant is very sensitive to changes in the environment.
You are right, Its not as vivid a plant without Co2. At least the surface of the leafs are not vivid..undersides are purple. I bought it as A.rosenvinge,but see no variegation. No CO2 caused or wrong label?
how do you get it so red! i have ar mini, the bottom of the leaves are red/pink, and the tops of the leaves are a colour between brownish and greenish. this is just after the second week and they'eve transitioned successfully into these colours. i use a lampat desklamp, it's white, and co2
I just bought some new stone and rescaped the entire center of the tank, but I guess I can do a how-to vid from scratch. Might take a month though ha. For L. Arcuata its probably about the pruning technique more than anything else, plus nutrient dosing to bring out color.
Sub1117 Its EI equivalent. The thread can be found here:www.plantedtank.net/forums/showthread.php?t=731794Pruning tips (not by me but its the same) :www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc/aquascaping/57960-pruning-timeline.html
My alternantheras are frustrating me...They arent growing like the other plants even though im using a full fertilizer. I had a lil bit of blue algue problem which i got under control in a short time period. Should i start cutting the tops? Would that help?
+Samsun55 Not really. Sometimes giving it a clear space of it's own in a favourable spot of the tank will help, general stable conditions for a period of time will help also. Are you using eco-complete ? I see more people that have issues with it in Eco/other non-dirt substrates
Hi dennis, I am growing this plant in my 5 gallon tank with Carbisea Eco-complete. its been 3 weeks now and i see the sides pretty much desinigrated, the top shoots seems to be still alive but slowly dying. The leaves are turning clear and losing color, what do you think is the problem and how can i save them?
Hmm if I might be a bit humourous, Eco is a poor quality substrate for plants that have finer roots. Robust, larger plants will do okay, but many smaller/finer plants will do better in dirt/aquasoils. AR is slow to react, and once melted, also slower to come back even if your variables are good. Try having a clay ball/root tabs below the AR
Hey thanks~ tank parameters are; 27-28 degrees celsius, GH 10-15, KH 5-8 (flux with water change as the grey rocks are limestone); I dose K (k2SO4) to hit above 20ppm, dose N (KNO3) to maintain above 20ppm, Phosphates (KH2PO4) around 1-3ppm. Fe + traces (CSM + B + Fe EDTA 13% mix) dosed 0.05ppm each day. Mg (MgSO4) dosed to around 15ppm. TDS flux between 150-200. That's about it
Just wondering... is that some type of parasite in the tank? 2:16 -2:18 in the top, middle/leftish area of the video? Anyone else see that tiny worm thing?
Why is my AR melting away? I have planted them for only a few days and don't even move them. I have the decent lighting (Finnex 24/7), dose co2, and added seachem supplement. If anyone can help.
Dennis, I think it was just a matter of acclimating it. One quarter of my AR melted away but the rest rooted and are alive and thriving. Never had them before, so I was really worried. Thanks.
Hey Dennis, would you be able to sell me some of the Alternanthera reineckii 'Rosanervig' ? I haven't been able to find it anywhere. I can send you a UPS or fedex shipping label too.
Michael Gumm Hey I'm in Singapore. If you're from the US, search for shops that have Tropica plants, the Rosanervig should be part of the selection. It's not too uncommon amongst hobbyists; can find them on plantedtank.net etc but you'd have to ask
Can also look for them on FB groups such as this one: facebook.com/groups/theplantedtankcenter/ There are people on this group that have it and sell it (in the US)
Thanks a lot Dennis. Yeah I ended up finding a seller on plantedtank.net. check out my tank one time if you get a chance. I am a huge fan of all of yours. www.plantedtank.net/forums/showthread.php?t=840209&page=3
+blackwarb Yep, it does this in quite a few people's tanks. I'm studying the examples I can find to see if there is a common cause. I do think it is more sensitive to root zone issues than other plants
Dennis Wong i have a hard time with most red or pink shades. i had some red milfoil and it only lasted 2 weeks. I was feeding it liquid co2. I'm wondering if it's the lighting.It's a pain as i love the red plants. Your video is great btw
Dennis Wong i'll have a look at the lighting and let you know. It's a juwel 4 foot tank. They have that stupid filter inbuilt stuck on to the side.Yes, the milfoil was a nightmare. I suspect it needs very strong filtration and extra strong lighting.
Hi. My tubes are two T5's at 54w . I think it says 4100 Kelvin on the back of the pack. Is that a a reasonable light level to grow most plants? What do you normally use? cheers
love the video but the sub tittles to me was the best lol it could not follow whaty you said at all haha. Not saying your english is bad becasue i understood everything but it was just funny reading what it thought u were saying
+AquaLady 420 (HoodChick) You can replant the tops. ARs grow faster when the roots are established, so keeping the rooted bottoms actually work well; new shoots come fast. Multiple new heads can sprout from a single stem, so it helps get the bunch bushier. It's also more convenient/less messy than constantly up rooting.
Asians always make the best guides. Always direct to the point, and concise.
Still sane, I see ~
@@2hrAquarist A fellow Exile 😆, I see ~
That was the most compact comprehensive tutorial on AR's I have ever seen. I'll use that info to grow mine better. Thanks, man!
This video was so helpful. AR cardinalis is very easily available, but even after several attempts I only had one plant that grew very well... And then hungry snails ate all the leaves off of it. I already had a few suspicions about what I was doing wrong, but learning that it's already slow growing and needs to build a good root system FIRST were definitely nails in the coffin for why I've been failing. I would try to plant it way too early when a tank was still fluctuating, and they'd be overcome by algae. Or I'd have the tank stable, but the plant would still be developing, and I'd introduce fish and snails and they'd uproot it. So thank you for putting me in a position where I can better determine a good setup to add the plant to, and how to make sure it thrives.
I am glad to hear this plant will grow without CO2! I will have to acquire some now...Thank you for these plant profile videos! So grateful.
Stefanie Sarros i have some AR mini in a lowish tech tank. Low lighting no c02 and ada amazonia for substrate it took a little bit but it has grown in nicely and is very healthy just make sure your lighting has a good red spectrun
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I just bought a small clump for color in my new tank. I thought that the red would be a nice contrast for my deep blue Betta and the rest of the green plants.
Excellent information! Straight to the point with excellent pictures used. Thank you.
Another informative video! Thank you for the tips! I just planted mine today in my low tech tank. Fingers crossed that they will do well!
Thanks girl
great video and explanation. i love this type of video. save other hobbyist tons of time to learn about each individual plant. keep them coming!
Thanks man~ I think I just replied to your thread in plantedtank.net ha
@@2hrAquarist
Im getting back into Aquariums after 10 years, soooo much has changed. I did see a video where the had AR MINI growing on wood in a ADA video. Is it possible to keep AR MINI long term on a piece of wood?
Will flourish excel help with the algae growing on the leaves?
Great tutorial on these amazing plants. I enjoyed watching. I subscribed and put notifications on, because your tutorial was spot on! Thank you for sharing!
Thank you for explaining your method so very thoroughly.
Thanks, this helped me trim my Alternanthera after it had been free growing for half a year (just an overly dense foilage with ugly leaves at the bottom). Funny fact: The Mini grew taller than the Rosanervig in my tank, but I don't have proper CO2 and just EasyCarbo.
you prolly dont give a shit but does any of you know a trick to log back into an Instagram account??
I somehow forgot my login password. I love any assistance you can offer me.
@Morgan Stanley instablaster :)
@Jonas Jefferson i really appreciate your reply. I found the site on google and im in the hacking process atm.
I see it takes a while so I will reply here later with my results.
@Jonas Jefferson It worked and I actually got access to my account again. I'm so happy:D
Thanks so much you really help me out :D
@Morgan Stanley Happy to help :D
Great video Dennis! I just got three very healthy AR's, and planted them in a new tank. Its been 3 days, they look great, so time will tell.
Such a great looking aquatic plant! Some of my leaves have amazing reds underneath!
Thank you! Just trimmed after watching this!
I got some tissue culture AR Mini. Planted in a brand new tank, and the are not doing well. They are turning transparent and melting slightly. 20g, 24" Current LED + Pro, ADA Amazonia 2, 6.5PH, 1-3ppm Amonia (still cycling), 1ml every other day of NilocG all in one fert, CO2 injection 30-60ppm, also dosing small amounts of liquid carbon. Tank has been up for a week. Blyxa Japonica, and HC Cuba also not doing super well, but not as bad as the AR mini.
Hi Dennis, I have seen a few of your videos and love them just good info and no bla bla bla.
I am starting a new tank my third one. Can you please make me a recommendation on what substraat I should use.
I thought of ADA but its so expensive ,so maybe akadama substraat I want a beautiful carpet of clossostigma elatinoides.
Your help will be greatly apreciated.
Dolf Janssen
+Adolph Janssen If you're locate in the US, you can search for Controsoil ? It's similar to ADA but cheaper I think
I have seen your posts in the past at The Planted Tank. If you have the time take a look at the 125g journal for burr740. His AR mini grows well in inert Black Diamond Blasting Sand with primarily water column fert dosing. Actually his whole tank is pretty awesome.
Burr740 knows me well. His situation doesn't work for all people, soil does give an edge.
I bought black substrate gravel and a small bag of mixed colors and a dark medium blue bag since my Betta is a dark medium blue. I just bought this red AR and placed it on my laptop sack. You are right. I can't wait to see what it looks like after I get the rocks and the driftwood set up in place.
That was really helpful, thank you for sharing your knowledge.
I bought my first to day and the tissue culture bag called it both "cardinalis" and rosanervig. Then it went on to call it a plant for the middle or back of the tank because it gets tall.
I do know fresh plants are really prone to being uprooted by fish or currents. They need to be squeezed between small stones to start.
Very nice. I love how clear your water is; vibrant plant health and how algae-free it is. Do you use an overflow/sump?
Hi thanks! I use a canister filter at the moment, been wanting to do a sump tank, but it's more troublesome to setup
ive just got some A.R Cardinalis, ive planted them as single stems each one being about 5/6 inches in length. Ive removed the bottom leaves and planted in 3/4 mm gravel without dirt substrate. Im dosing daily with Easycarb, and weekly with ferts. My lights are only t8s as its an old aquarium and the original tubes. Do you think il have success with my Cardinalis, and how long will it be before i see some new growth? Great video, many thanks.
+Stephen Campbell How fast it adapts depends on how different the conditions are from the source that you got the plant... and whether you're running on fast growth mode (high light/CO2/ferts) or slow. If you have fast conditions, within a week or 2 you should see reaction - new leaves or melting. If your tank is more on slow mode, may take more than a couple of weeks
You were right on the money, Dennis. I bought one, and it took a good 3 or 4 weeks before I saw growth. Now, my AR is growing very fast and is producing side stems.
Do you recommend cutting a top and replanting or waiting for the side shoot to grow and cut that? Thank you!
You can do either; if the tops have a few internodes, you can cut and replant them
I cut the top a week ago, and I can see a bunch of little plants forming on the nodes now. Thanks, Dennis!
at 2:11 you see a little worm swimming away from the trimmed plant. what is it? I've seen one of those in my tank before!
Nematode (free-living, non-parasitic) species, I find them in my tank sometimes and my minnows eat them when the worm gets caught up in the current.
subbed really clear explanation, im getting some AR mini tmr from another hobbyist
Hi Dennis, thanks for such informative video. I find your video very detailed and sums up how to successfully grow and propagate certain plants. Can you make videos on some of the other stem and none stem plants? Thank you.
Thanks... I will; I'm doing one on the background stems because people have been asking for it on the forums.
Hi Dennis, I have been trying to grow AR from tissue cultured that I bought from my local fish store....but unfortunately...I had failed for 3 times with the same result of melting away after 2 weeks....that includes of 1 dry start method that I tried...therefore...I will be really grateful if u could share some tips on how to successfully grow AR from tissue cultured as it is very hard for me to find tank grown AR here....thanks
Cycle the tank well before hand if you're using aquasoil. TC plants are more delicate and don't do well in fresh soil. Then make sure your flow/CO2 is good at the substrate level.
Hi Dennis....thanks for your reply...the tank (with Co2) is well cycled for 6 months and all other plants (such as Ludwigia Repens, Super red, staurogyne repens & MC) are doing well....that's why I m curious whether I did do anything wrong for the process of transferring TC plant to the tank...
My AR's leaves have melted after 2 weeks in the tank. Perhaps new plant melt syndrome? Stem is still standing so I hope it can still bounce back
mine grow fast. Use sand regular and just root tabs. let it grow in and then cut and plant cut and plant the trims. They take off> Just don't move em till they are grown in and cut below the roots on the stems. You can also lay them sideways and they grow even faster. They love FAST WATER! VERY FAST. that is why they look that way the water pushes them down and the roots on the stems lay sideways and carpet. So if you really want the stuff to grow fast just buy a saltwater blower and put it right in front of it.
Hi dennis I'm struggling to achieve the colour you have the bottom side of the leaf is your colour but the top is more brownish using co2 and ada soil and liquid fertilizer and a 36w led plant light on a 4ft tank I'm thinking my light is the down fall about was wondering your opinion thanks scott I'm a big fan your thanks are amazing
Yes, its probably the light quality; you can give this a read www.advancedplantedtank.com/newsletter_2ozn.html
Can we stick this plant on rocks?? Like anubias?
They definitely don't like to moved I have learned. I have the rosaefolia version myself. I've taken it from a 40B that it is growing to the surface and above, and then put it in a bigger tank with 4xt5HO and it melts before growing in new leaves (both tanks high tech). That being said, it does survive. I enjoy the videos man! Keep up the great work! P.S. What canister filters do you use?
Thanks man... I use pretty standard Eheims rated for that tank size? I haven't been all that big on filtration; I find that it's a bigger issue for fish only tanks. I do use purigen, and use additional pumps to get good flow though
Hi, i am using 32 watts of led, 5500 kelvin and my tank is 3ftx1.5ftx1.5ft. it is dirted with a layer of laterite on top. Occasional dosing of npk pellets but no co2. Which alternanthera species can i grow, if any?
Hi Dennis, what lighting requirements work best to ensure the deep red coloring of this plant? In other words, how well will it do in high, mid, and low light levels?
There are two sides to it; one is that the plant has to grow the red pigments - good fertilization, substrate, CO2 (especially) levels and med-high lighting should achieve that. Secondly is the visual effect of lighting up a tank and showing off the pigments; the reddest plant will not look red under just blue lights for example, they'll look purple/blue no matter how strong the light is. Using a bulb spectrum that has more red in it, in the tank above - red leds + blue, or if using fluorescent, using pink bulbs mixed in with daylight or lower K rating bulbs gives better visual presentation. Most fluorescent lighting has decent color rendering, its the cheaper leds on the market that often have awful color rendition even though they grow plants fine.
Another question: my alternanthera reineckki mini have started developing holes in the leaves. Do you know what could be the cause of that? I haven't come across much information and the bits that I have mention nutrient issues.
Livestock are threadfin rainbowfish, whitecloud minnows, a couple nerite snails, and some amano shrimp. I use EI dosing and current satellite freshwater pro+ led lights set at 5 hours at 50% intensity, and of course co2 injection.
I see you used my photo to show algae infestation on the plant! The cardinalis variety I have is still not doing too well, and hardly grows at all. I believe I have good enough CO2, as I have greater than 1.0 pH drop and floating a stem in my tank doesn't help it at all. Do you think they respond better to root fertilization? I and many others have trouble with this plant in higher tech tanks with EI. I wouldn't mind seeing a video on Ludwigia Glandulosa - mine have good color but little vertical growth.
ha I've been spotted. I think your tank is somewhat of a mystery, maybe the answer lies outside a measurable parameter. I do suspect that the harder varietals do better in dirt; I've seen the easier varietals grown in any type of substrate though. This would explain why water dosing and CO2 injection doesn't always give results; I've seen that it doesn't always work even with EI/CO2. On the other hand, I'm growing both the AR mini and cardinalis in dirt non-CO2; the coloration is not as rich, but otherwise they grow well. Perhaps it also has to do with environmental stability or competition with other species. L. Glandulosa is a slow grower generally; if you have good color then you're doing well. I find the slow growth appealing actually; less pruning to do ha, but it can be frustrating if you're using it as a background and waiting for it to fill in. If its healthy, its easily propagated by cuttings though.
Hey I have a question about Co2...can you run the co2 all day and night? And for DIY Co2, will ut affect fish if you run it day and night? Because I cant see myself having to unplug the Co2 every evening then plug back on in the day due to work and prob forgetfulness. Thanks for the info
Depends on how much you are injecting and whether you are introducing additional O2 through surface agitation or airstones. If you want a very safe approach; you can let the CO2 run 24hrs but run an airstone on a timer at night.
mrchinee25 Co2 should not be run all day and night. It should be run simultaneously with the light on a timer.
Get yourself a timer to run with the light and Co2. Plants produce Co2 at night and running it constantly will drop your PH very low.
can it grow in dirt? what additional fertilizer may be required?
thank you!
Can it survive in a salt or a borewell water?
Love your vids, hope you do more!
Dennis Wong, I am trying to grow some Alternanthera Reineckii rosa at the moment. What would you say is an healthy growth rate per week with and without CO2?
Without CO2, Maybe half an inch if you have strong light. Slow if no CO2. With CO2, depends on how strong light/CO2/ferts are... can be quite fast if its not over- crowded
Dennis Wong thank you. I have since added co2 and started dosing phosphorus and growth is now noticeably better.
Dennis Wong one more question, have you experienced patches of the leaves on the AR becoming transparent? I have several leaves with patches that are transparent and the transparency is only noticeable when looking from bottom side of the leaf. It doesn’t affect the entire plant but only 1-2 nodes. I have come to realize this plant is very sensitive to changes in the environment.
Nice video Dennis
Great video - thanks for making it
You are right, Its not as vivid a plant without Co2. At least the surface of the leafs are not vivid..undersides are purple. I bought it as A.rosenvinge,but see no variegation. No CO2 caused or wrong label?
hi I don't have any substrate under the gravel. I only have JBL kugeln balls cley balls pressed unter the root ststem is this ok to grow this plant ?
+michal bla not sure ? depends on how effective the clay balls are
Finnex FugeRay Planted 36-Inch for 40gallon good enough?
What's the name of that plant in the very front?
Is the common name, Red Ivy?
Very helpful, thank you for making this video!
what kind of substrate are you using?
how do you get it so red! i have ar mini, the bottom of the leaves are red/pink, and the tops of the leaves are a colour between brownish and greenish. this is just after the second week and they'eve transitioned successfully into these colours. i use a lampat desklamp, it's white, and co2
Probably differences in lighting systems
Can you also do a video on your Ludwigia Arcuata? I can't seem to grow mine the way you do. As well as S. Repens
I just bought some new stone and rescaped the entire center of the tank, but I guess I can do a how-to vid from scratch. Might take a month though ha. For L. Arcuata its probably about the pruning technique more than anything else, plus nutrient dosing to bring out color.
What dosing regiment do you use to bring out the color? And how would you prune them?
Sub1117 Its EI equivalent. The thread can be found here:www.plantedtank.net/forums/showthread.php?t=731794Pruning tips (not by me but its the same) :www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc/aquascaping/57960-pruning-timeline.html
My alternantheras are frustrating me...They arent growing like the other plants even though im using a full fertilizer. I had a lil bit of blue algue problem which i got under control in a short time period. Should i start cutting the tops? Would that help?
+Samsun55 Not really. Sometimes giving it a clear space of it's own in a favourable spot of the tank will help, general stable conditions for a period of time will help also. Are you using eco-complete ? I see more people that have issues with it in Eco/other non-dirt substrates
+Dennis Wong No im using Easy life from Profito.
Hi dennis, I am growing this plant in my 5 gallon tank with Carbisea Eco-complete. its been 3 weeks now and i see the sides pretty much desinigrated, the top shoots seems to be still alive but slowly dying. The leaves are turning clear and losing color, what do you think is the problem and how can i save them?
Hmm if I might be a bit humourous, Eco is a poor quality substrate for plants that have finer roots. Robust, larger plants will do okay, but many smaller/finer plants will do better in dirt/aquasoils. AR is slow to react, and once melted, also slower to come back even if your variables are good. Try having a clay ball/root tabs below the AR
你好，我想问你有关液肥，怎么使用使水草特别是红色水草变得更红？
It depends on the type of plant... stronger light, more red/blue spectrum.. for some species, NO3 limitation induces redness
Very helpful, thank you!
beautiful and informative, thank you :-)
你好，我想问您，为什么我的 AR 没有你的那么红，我刚种了三个礼拜，我有很强的灯光，而且很强的二氧化碳，同时也加了标准的液肥，但叶子显得没有那么红，请您给我一些建议，谢谢
Need light with stronger red spectrum - if you are using LEDs, many of them lack red.
Dennis is a AR rosanervig nomination correct
my leafs have turned transparent. why?
Hi Dennis,
First of all great video! Do you test your parameters? If so, would you mind sharring them? Thanks!
Hey thanks~ tank parameters are; 27-28 degrees celsius, GH 10-15, KH 5-8 (flux with water change as the grey rocks are limestone); I dose K (k2SO4) to hit above 20ppm, dose N (KNO3) to maintain above 20ppm, Phosphates (KH2PO4) around 1-3ppm. Fe + traces (CSM + B + Fe EDTA 13% mix) dosed 0.05ppm each day. Mg (MgSO4) dosed to around 15ppm. TDS flux between 150-200. That's about it
Thanks!
Good job!
Is it good without co2?
this help much , isit oke with lowlight dennis i have 24 liter tank with 11 watt philips genie PL
If it's directly below the light is should be fine
👍👍👍
hi. what substrate and light do u use? thanks
Hi I use dirt in my tanks, and BML Leds for lights
What's your Co2 diffuser?
I'm using some no-brand inline diffuser, but I do try to tune the CO2 high
Tried once before. It melted after 3 days. Yesterday bought one again, trying hard for this
Does fine with no Co2. I would tell people if you want faster? Plant more..simple way to fill in and is ALWAYS faster than even Co2!
Just wondering... is that some type of parasite in the tank? 2:16 -2:18 in the top, middle/leftish area of the video? Anyone else see that tiny worm thing?
some kind of nematode...doubt it's parasitic.
Why is my AR melting away? I have planted them for only a few days and don't even move them. I have the decent lighting (Finnex 24/7), dose co2, and added seachem supplement. If anyone can help.
Dennis, or do you thing my light may be too strong for it as well. Seems like when I first put the Finnex light on, the AR just started melting away?
Don't think it'll be an issue of too strong light; look for other casual factors. AR can take a long time to acclimatize sometimes
Dennis, I think it was just a matter of acclimating it. One quarter of my AR melted away but the rest rooted and are alive and thriving. Never had them before, so I was really worried. Thanks.
Hey Dennis, would you be able to sell me some of the Alternanthera reineckii 'Rosanervig' ? I haven't been able to find it anywhere. I can send you a UPS or fedex shipping label too.
Michael Gumm Hey I'm in Singapore. If you're from the US, search for shops that have Tropica plants, the Rosanervig should be part of the selection. It's not too uncommon amongst hobbyists; can find them on plantedtank.net etc but you'd have to ask
Can also look for them on FB groups such as this one: facebook.com/groups/theplantedtankcenter/ There are people on this group that have it and sell it (in the US)
Thanks a lot Dennis. Yeah I ended up finding a seller on plantedtank.net. check out my tank one time if you get a chance. I am a huge fan of all of yours.
www.plantedtank.net/forums/showthread.php?t=840209&page=3
It’s not red in my tank! Any suggestions?
Hi, perhaps your light quality can be better ?
mine always rot after a few weeks :(
+blackwarb Yep, it does this in quite a few people's tanks. I'm studying the examples I can find to see if there is a common cause. I do think it is more sensitive to root zone issues than other plants
Dennis Wong i have a hard time with most red or pink shades. i had some red milfoil and it only lasted 2 weeks. I was feeding it liquid co2. I'm wondering if it's the lighting.It's a pain as i love the red plants. Your video is great btw
+blackwarb Thanks man... It's hard to say definitively without seeing all the other parameters, but red milfoil can be quite demanding
Dennis Wong i'll have a look at the lighting and let you know. It's a juwel 4 foot tank. They have that stupid filter inbuilt stuck on to the side.Yes, the milfoil was a nightmare. I suspect it needs very strong filtration and extra strong lighting.
Hi. My tubes are two T5's at 54w . I think it says 4100 Kelvin on the back of the pack. Is that a a reasonable light level to grow most plants? What do you normally use? cheers
love the video but the sub tittles to me was the best lol it could not follow whaty you said at all haha. Not saying your english is bad becasue i understood everything but it was just funny reading what it thought u were saying
Hahaa, I must check out the subtitles myself!
7
Why not replant the tops?
+AquaLady 420 (HoodChick) You can replant the tops. ARs grow faster when the roots are established, so keeping the rooted bottoms actually work well; new shoots come fast. Multiple new heads can sprout from a single stem, so it helps get the bunch bushier. It's also more convenient/less messy than constantly up rooting.
+Dennis Wong thanks for answering!