Rotala care tips

[MorningBreeze]

I've been struggling with my Rotala rotundifolia. The leaves keep melting and the stems are thinning out. My tank's at 78°F, pH 6.8, with CO2 injection. Any tips to keep it thriving?

[oldraider]

Rotala's a bit finicky with light and nutrients. What's your lighting schedule? I run mine at 8 hours with high PAR, and dose EI fertilizers weekly. Also, check your nitrates, they should be around 10-20 ppm.

[trevo]

Rotala's a bit finicky with light and nutrients. What's your lighting schedule? I run mine at 8 hours with high PAR, and dose EI fertilizers weekly. Also, check your nitrates, they should be around 10-20 ppm.

Yep, lighting's huge. I had the same issue till I bumped my photoperiod to 10 hours. Also, make sure your CO2's consistent, fluctuations mess with Rotala big time.

[Raghad]

Mine melted too when I first got it. Turns out my tap water was too hard. Switched to RO and now it's growing like crazy. Maybe check your GH and KH?

[artisto_1]

Rotala's a drama queen if the flow's weak. I've got a powerhead pointed at mine to keep it swaying. Also, trim it regularly to encourage bushier growth. Lazy trimming leads to leggy stems.

[fablest]

Mine melted too when I first got it. Turns out my tap water was too hard. Switched to RO and now it's growing like crazy. Maybe check your GH and KH?

Hard water's a killer for sure. My GH was 12 and Rotala hated it. Dropped to 6 with remineralized RO and it's happy now.

[MorningBreeze]

Thanks for the advice, everyone. Gonna tweak my lighting and check my water hardness. Appreciate the help!

[pipedreamer]

I've got Rotala in a low-tech tank and it's doing okay. Slow growth but no melting. Maybe try reducing CO2 if nothing else works?

[founder]

Consistency's key with Rotala. Keep your params stable, don't slack on water changes, and give it time. It'll bounce back if conditions are right.

[oldraider]

Consistency's key with Rotala. Keep your params stable, don't slack on water changes, and give it time. It'll bounce back if conditions are right.

Exactly. I do 50% water changes weekly and my Rotala's never looked better. Stability beats chasing perfect numbers.