Rotala Macandera

[PhillyB]

All,

I have some rotala macrandra which is a nice green color and seems very healthy. My understanding is that when healthy this plant will be red. So, I am trying to figure out what I am doing wrong here... I suspect it might be a low amount of available magnesium and calcium? Possibly Micros?

I have a 29 gallon using excel dosing. 1x a week I dose 1/4 tsp. of Magnesium Sulfate and 1/2 tsp of Calcium Sulfate w/ 10ml of TMP micros.

All the plants look healthy and have a nice color. If the rotala is not red, is that an indicator that it is not healthy?

Thanks,
John

 

[shane]

I believe there is a green variety of rotala macandra as well. Perhaps you have the green variety?

 

[PhillyB]

I was not aware. I'll take a picture and post it. Do they look pretty different?

When I bought it, it was red in color. It was not in good shape, pretty ratty looking. Maybe the green variety turns red when it is not healthy?

 

[Gerryd]

Hi,

Red plants need more light, esp this species.

What type, intensity, and duration of lighting do you have?

 

[PhillyB]

Coralife power compact 10,000. 65 watts over 29 gallons. 8 hour photo-period.

 

[Gerryd]

Your lighting seems fine.

Since you are dosing excel mostly, it could be lack of c02 and nutrients like N and K. Your light is >2wpg and a 29 gallon is not that deep.

So, I think the good light is driving a need for more nutes. Not available, light causes growth (lengthwise towards the light), but color is not as 'normal'.

I am sure others with more knowledge will chime in.

Hope this helps.

 

[jsrevenaugh]

Red macranda

I've read here and in other forums that Macrandera grows more red in low nitrate conditions (not limiting, just low).

 

[Tom Barr]

I've never had troubles at high levels of NO3.
But I use less light.

Regards,
Tom Barr