Red Temple - Aquarium Advice

itafx · 01-09-2008, 03:08 PM

I've tried Red Temple two times now and both times it has gradually turned to mush instead of taking root. The first time it was in fairly poor condition from a mail-order purchase and I attributed it to that plus insufficient experience.

This time I got healthy steams with roots starting to sprout - Got them from a LFS and put them quickly in the tank before they had time to spoil. My tank was about 75 degrees, 6.5-6.6 PH, and 48 watts in a 20 gallon tank. The other plants did fine (there was red ludwigia [repens] in the same batch). Is there something finicky about Red Temple?

JustOneMore20 · 01-09-2008, 05:58 PM

I've found Red Temple (Alternanthera reineckii) to prefer high light, co2, and fertilization. I've never had it thrive in a medium light tank with or without co2. I wouldn't try it again unless you get more light over the tank, as I believe that is the main problem in your setup.

itafx · 01-10-2008, 02:32 PM

Thanks. plantgeek.net lists it as "difficulty: moderate", and "Light: moderate".
http://www.plantgeek.net/plantguide_viewer.php?id=10. I guess, it must be on the high end of moderate...

Also, I went back to my records and the previous thing I got that didn't work was actually Temple Narrow Leaf, which I see is a different species, Hygrophila corymbosa. Do you have any experience with that?

JustOneMore20 · 01-10-2008, 02:54 PM

I do not have any experience with H. corymbosa. I believe it is a medium light plant though, but that is all I know about it. Maybe someone who has keep it can chime in.

01-09-2008, 03:08 PM	#1
itafx Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 397 Images: 12	Red Temple I've tried Red Temple two times now and both times it has gradually turned to mush instead of taking root. The first time it was in fairly poor condition from a mail-order purchase and I attributed it to that plus insufficient experience. This time I got healthy steams with roots starting to sprout - Got them from a LFS and put them quickly in the tank before they had time to spoil. My tank was about 75 degrees, 6.5-6.6 PH, and 48 watts in a 20 gallon tank. The other plants did fine (there was red ludwigia [repens] in the same batch). Is there something finicky about Red Temple?

01-09-2008, 05:58 PM	#2
JustOneMore20 Aquarium Advice Addict Community Mentor Join Date: May 2006 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 2,105 Images: 8	I've found Red Temple (Alternanthera reineckii) to prefer high light, co2, and fertilization. I've never had it thrive in a medium light tank with or without co2. I wouldn't try it again unless you get more light over the tank, as I believe that is the main problem in your setup. __________________ ~Kristin~ 5 planted tanks: 55g, 40g, 29g, 20g, 5.5g; 10g Shell Dwelling Cichlid tank, 5.5g fry tank My links to pics: My 40g breeder log, My tanks blog

01-10-2008, 02:54 PM	#4
JustOneMore20 Aquarium Advice Addict Community Mentor Join Date: May 2006 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 2,105 Images: 8	I do not have any experience with H. corymbosa. I believe it is a medium light plant though, but that is all I know about it. Maybe someone who has keep it can chime in. __________________ ~Kristin~ 5 planted tanks: 55g, 40g, 29g, 20g, 5.5g; 10g Shell Dwelling Cichlid tank, 5.5g fry tank My links to pics: My 40g breeder log, My tanks blog

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01-10-2008, 02:32 PM	#3
itafx Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 397 Images: 12	Thanks. plantgeek.net lists it as "difficulty: moderate", and "Light: moderate". http://www.plantgeek.net/plantguide_viewer.php?id=10. I guess, it must be on the high end of moderate... Also, I went back to my records and the previous thing I got that didn't work was actually Temple Narrow Leaf, which I see is a different species, Hygrophila corymbosa. Do you have any experience with that?