Page 1 of 2
anyone keeping ludwigia?
Posted: Fri Oct 24, 2025 12:05 pm
by fadah
Just picked up some Ludwigia repens from my LFS, gonna try it in my 20 gallon. Anyone got tips on keeping it red? My lights are pretty strong, but it's still kinda green.
Re: anyone keeping ludwigia?
Posted: Fri Oct 24, 2025 12:14 pm
by blueoceans
Ludwigia repens needs high light and iron to stay red. What's your fertilizer routine? I dose Seachem Iron twice a week in my 40 gallon, and the reds pop.
Re: anyone keeping ludwigia?
Posted: Fri Oct 24, 2025 3:07 pm
by Carbon
fadah wrote: ↑Fri Oct 24, 2025 12:05 pm
Just picked up some Ludwigia repens from my LFS, gonna try it in my 20 gallon. Anyone got tips on keeping it red? My lights are pretty strong, but it's still kinda green.
Yeah, light alone won't cut it. You need nitrates low and iron high. I keep mine at 5 ppm nitrates, and the reds are insane.
Re: anyone keeping ludwigia?
Posted: Fri Oct 24, 2025 5:01 pm
by coastguard1
I've had luck with Ludwigia palustris too. It's similar but stays red easier. What's your substrate? Root tabs help if you're not running CO2.
Re: anyone keeping ludwigia?
Posted: Fri Oct 24, 2025 7:17 pm
by Vitaly
I'm new to Ludwigia, but my friend swears by liquid carbon. Anyone tried that? My tank's low tech, so I'm nervous about dosing.
Re: anyone keeping ludwigia?
Posted: Fri Oct 24, 2025 10:05 pm
by florag1
Ludwigia's chill, but it's a nitrate hog. If your tank's too clean, it'll stay green. Mess with your ferts, see what happens.
Re: anyone keeping ludwigia?
Posted: Sat Oct 25, 2025 2:24 am
by _bloomer
blueoceans wrote: ↑Fri Oct 24, 2025 12:14 pm
Ludwigia repens needs high light and iron to stay red. What's your fertilizer routine? I dose Seachem Iron twice a week in my 40 gallon, and the reds pop.
Same here. Iron's key. I also use a DIY root tab with osmocote, and my Ludwigia's fire.
Re: anyone keeping ludwigia?
Posted: Sat Oct 25, 2025 2:35 am
by flavormist
Mine melted at first, but it bounced back. How long does it take to adjust? My tank's been running for 3 months.
Re: anyone keeping ludwigia?
Posted: Sat Oct 25, 2025 6:15 am
by Haven42
Ludwigia's sketchy in new tanks. Give it time. Mine took a month to stop melting. Now it's growing like crazy.
Re: anyone keeping ludwigia?
Posted: Sat Oct 25, 2025 7:50 am
by subway
For reds, try lowering your phosphates. High phosphates can block iron uptake. I keep mine below 1 ppm, and the colors are vibrant.