why is my rotala losing leaves?

[Lovely]

My Rotala is losing leaves like crazy, and I don't know why. The tank is a 20 gallon, with a sponge filter, and I do weekly water changes. The light is on for 8 hours a day, and I use root tabs. Any ideas what's going on?

[burblefox]

Rotala can be finicky with lighting and nutrients. What's your nitrate level? If it's too low, the plant might be starving. Also, check if the light is strong enough. A 20 gallon with a sponge filter might not have enough flow for nutrient distribution.

[florem]

I had the same issue last month. Turns out my light was too weak. Upgraded to a full spectrum LED, and the Rotala bounced back. How old is your light? Sometimes they lose intensity over time.

[Lovely]

Rotala can be finicky with lighting and nutrients. What's your nitrate level? If it's too low, the plant might be starving. Also, check if the light is strong enough. A 20 gallon with a sponge filter might not have enough flow for nutrient distribution.

Nitrates are around 10 ppm, so not super low. The light is a basic LED, about a year old. Maybe it's time for an upgrade.

[dynamo7]

Could also be a CO2 thing. Rotala loves CO2. If you're not injecting, it might just be struggling. I started dosing liquid carbon, and mine perked up. Not as good as real CO2, but it's something.

[flosie]

I agree with checking the light. Also, how's your substrate? If it's too compact, the roots might not be getting enough oxygen. I use sand with root tabs, and my Rotala does okay, but it's not thriving like in my dirted tank.

[burblefox]

I agree with checking the light. Also, how's your substrate? If it's too compact, the roots might not be getting enough oxygen. I use sand with root tabs, and my Rotala does okay, but it's not thriving like in my dirted tank.

Substrate is a good point. If it's too dense, the roots can't breathe. Maybe try poking around with a chopstick to aerate it a bit.

[seaburst]

My cat keeps knocking over my tank decorations. Maybe your Rotala is just stressed from all the chaos. Cats, man.

[florem]

Could also be a CO2 thing. Rotala loves CO2. If you're not injecting, it might just be struggling. I started dosing liquid carbon, and mine perked up. Not as good as real CO2, but it's something.

Liquid carbon is a good stopgap. I use it in my low tech tanks too. Just be careful not to overdose, it can melt some plants.

[burblefox]

Another thought: how often are you trimming the Rotala? If it's getting too tall, the lower leaves might be shaded out and dying off. Regular trimming can help keep it bushy and healthy.