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Rotala care tips
Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2025 10:36 am
by 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?
Re: Rotala care tips
Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2025 11:41 am
by 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.
Re: Rotala care tips
Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2025 12:17 pm
by trevo
oldraider wrote: ↑Tue Aug 26, 2025 11:41 am
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.
Re: Rotala care tips
Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2025 1:31 pm
by 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?
Re: Rotala care tips
Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2025 2:37 pm
by 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.
Re: Rotala care tips
Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2025 3:49 pm
by fablest
Raghad wrote: ↑Tue Aug 26, 2025 1:31 pm
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.
Re: Rotala care tips
Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2025 5:34 pm
by MorningBreeze
Thanks for the advice, everyone. Gonna tweak my lighting and check my water hardness. Appreciate the help!
Re: Rotala care tips
Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2025 6:50 pm
by 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?
Re: Rotala care tips
Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2025 8:33 pm
by 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.
Re: Rotala care tips
Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2025 9:53 pm
by oldraider
founder wrote: ↑Tue Aug 26, 2025 8:33 pm
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.