Who Gives A Fish Forums

I'm setting up a 20 gallon planted tank and want to maximize color contrast. What are your favorite plant pairings for vibrant reds and greens? I've got a Finnex 24/7 light and CO2 injection.

For reds, Ludwigia Super Red and Alternanthera Reineckii are solid choices. Pair them with a bright green like Pogostemon Helferi or Rotala Rotundifolia. The contrast is stunning under high light. What's your substrate?

I've had luck with Cryptocoryne Wendtii Bronze next to Hygrophila Araguaia. The bronze and red tones pop against each other. Just watch the Crypts, they can melt if you change too much at once.

Yo, try some red root floaters with dwarf hairgrass. The floaters give a dope red tint from above, and the hairgrass stays bright green. Easy combo if you're lazy like me.

Color? Just dump in some food dye and call it a day. Kidding. Sort of. But really, why not just glue plastic plants to a rock?

talonbro wrote: ↑Fri May 09, 2025 4:51 pm Color? Just dump in some food dye and call it a day. Kidding. Sort of. But really, why not just glue plastic plants to a rock?

Come on, man. Some of us actually care about our tanks. To OP, Bacopa Caroliniana turns gold under high light, and it's a great backdrop for red plants.

My tank's got Limnophila Hippuroides and Ludwigia Palustris. The purple and red look sick together, and they grow fast if you keep the CO2 steady.

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll start with the Ludwigia and Rotala combo and see how it goes.

turret wrote: ↑Fri May 09, 2025 9:05 pm Thanks for the suggestions. I'll start with the Ludwigia and Rotala combo and see how it goes.

Good call. Just remember to trim the Rotala regularly to keep it bushy. It'll get leggy if you let it go too long.

If you're dosing iron, the reds will really pop. I use Seachem Iron at half dose twice a week and my plants are fire.