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why is my rotala losing leaves?
Posted: Tue May 20, 2025 2:02 pm
by 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?
Re: why is my rotala losing leaves?
Posted: Tue May 20, 2025 3:35 pm
by 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.
Re: why is my rotala losing leaves?
Posted: Tue May 20, 2025 4:50 pm
by 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.
Re: why is my rotala losing leaves?
Posted: Tue May 20, 2025 5:10 pm
by Lovely
burblefox wrote: ↑Tue May 20, 2025 3:35 pm
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.
Re: why is my rotala losing leaves?
Posted: Tue May 20, 2025 6:17 pm
by 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.
Re: why is my rotala losing leaves?
Posted: Tue May 20, 2025 8:06 pm
by 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.
Re: why is my rotala losing leaves?
Posted: Tue May 20, 2025 9:24 pm
by burblefox
flosie wrote: ↑Tue May 20, 2025 8:06 pm
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.
Re: why is my rotala losing leaves?
Posted: Tue May 20, 2025 10:11 pm
by seaburst
My cat keeps knocking over my tank decorations. Maybe your Rotala is just stressed from all the chaos. Cats, man.
Re: why is my rotala losing leaves?
Posted: Tue May 20, 2025 11:17 pm
by florem
dynamo7 wrote: ↑Tue May 20, 2025 6:17 pm
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.
Re: why is my rotala losing leaves?
Posted: Wed May 21, 2025 12:14 am
by 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.