jeremy1

I need a good iron supplement. I'm currently using Seachem's Iron, but I don't see any improvements in my reds. I've dosed about double the recommended amount. Any suggestions?

Seattle_Aquarist

Hi jeremy1,

The "reds" may need iron to be their brightest, but a lot of other factors can affect plant color as well. For example, because I run about 2 watts per gallon (medium light) most of my plants do not show their red color unless they are in a brighter area of the tank. Or in the case of stem plants, when the stems grow near the surface where the light is brighter.

Tex Gal

Light, light and enough light is the biggest issue for red plants IMO. After light is enough iron. I use Flourish Fe and just upped my dosing. I was using the recommended amount 3 days a week. I just began using that same amount EVERY day along with dosing my traces every day. What a difference! You can read about it here, post #65

http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/f...ce-make-7.html

You can see my tank here, post 528 are color close-up, 2 weeks after dosing change
http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/f...escape-53.html

jeremy1

Yeah, I think I have to be patient with it. I use IE dosing and two 55wat PC for AHsupply over a 29gal plus CO2 I will see how thinks turn out when plants reach nearer the top.. I do get great pearling so CO2 should be okay. I will up trace freqency to every other day and see what happpens. Plant are only 2wks old in an established tank.

houseofcards

Unfortunately with PC lighting on a 29g it will be difficult to get deep red color througout. The lights aren't intense enough and the tank too deep.

jeremy1

I had the same feeling. I'm thinking about the MH 150watt from fishneedit. I'm wondering how their bulbs are either the 8000K or 6700K ? Anyone used these before/

Tex Gal

I think 150watt MH might be too much for a 29g. Have you looked into T5's? I've considered this fixture because I could use Geissman bulbs on this fixture and they last a long time.
http://www.growlightexpress.com/fluo...ht-t5-322.html

Right now I have this light on my 29 and it does fine. I get good color with it. I have to keep the bulbs replaced every 6 - 8 mths as they loose their power.
http://www.2gills.com/store/p/121-Co...l?feed=froogle

ncutler

Just thought I'd add from my understanding, Flourish Iron will only last 2 days in the tank, there's better iron options out there. Again, I'm a noob and this is what my sources have told me.

gheitman

Seachem actually recommends dosing with Iron six days a week on their dosing chart. That is what I do with my tanks.

Tex Gal

I just started doing the Fe every day - and traces. What a difference!