Rudles Posted May 9, 2021 Share Posted May 9, 2021 I would like to grow some red plants, specifically Scarlet Temple. From what I understand this requires iron. What is the best way to add iron to the substrate so that it's bio available? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mmiller2001 Posted May 9, 2021 Share Posted May 9, 2021 It's not true that iron makes plants red or more red. The best way to grow red plants is to grow healthy plants, and this is acheived with a fertilization regiment that addresses both Macro and Micro nutrients. Usually, red plants love a rich aquasoil coupled with abundant light and CO². However, there are low tech options that grow well and I would put ST in the high tech category. Dosing Micros into the water column is all you need, but you could certainly try prepackaged root tabs or Osmocote+. These should be able to supply a good balance of nutrients into the substrate. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rudles Posted May 10, 2021 Author Share Posted May 10, 2021 Thank you. Co2 is almost out of the question unless I do the soda bottle method as ALL bottled gasses have to come from Ketchikan, 90 miles away on a different island. I will be doing a dirted substrate using organic planting soil, Eco-Complete, fine gravel and coarse sand. Looks like it will definitely be low tech. I just looked up my light, a Nicrew Classic LED Plus and it's only 21 watts and I will be using it on a 29 gallon acrylic tank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mmiller2001 Posted May 10, 2021 Share Posted May 10, 2021 I would do some internet searches on easy to grow red plants and try those. Scarlett Temple is going to be a challenge. However, a dirted substrate should be plenty of juice for your plants and a lean water column dosing should suffice. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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