Scarlet Temple turning brown?

[NoobyMJ]

Hello

I'm new to the hobby and have had this 15g Fluval Flex going for a couple weeks.  I know I've read that pink/red plants can be difficult to keep color without supplementing CO2.  I'm just wondering if that's my issue, or if it's something else such as my lighting.  I have the light running on full white brightness and I have added blue/red rgb.  I used to run the light for 15 hours, but have decreased the time to 12 hours.  I have quite a bit of algae which was my reasoning for doing this.  Any suggestions?  My tank isnt fully cycled so my parameters are as follows using test strips:  temp 72, nitrate 0 (maybe 10), nitrite 1, hardness 150-300 (tap water cut in half with RO), buffer 0-40, pH 6.4, chlorine 0. 

Any suggestions and help will be appreciated!  Thanks

Edited March 4, 2023 by NoobyMJ

[Ninjoma]

Are you adding any fertilizers? 

On 3/4/2023 at 2:44 PM, NoobyMJ said:

nitrate 0 (maybe 10)

This is pretty low for a planted tank. ACO recommends aiming for 20-50ppm. Plants need nitrogen to grow. This article might help https://www.aquariumcoop.com/blogs/aquarium/easy-fertilizer-for-aquarium-plants

[NoobyMJ]

Yes I've added 1 pump a week of aquarium co-op easy green and iron.  Thanks

[Ninjoma]

On 3/4/2023 at 8:08 PM, NoobyMJ said:

Yes I've added 1 pump a week of aquarium co-op easy green and iron.  Thanks

I would try adding more easy green until the nitrates are at least 20ppm. 

[NoobyMJ]

Thanks for your help! I'll give that a go.