Rotala Wallichi

[Peter Carroll]

Can anyone provide some general parameters for growing Rotala Wallichi?

The leaves seem to be consideralby shorter than when I purchased the plant. Only the new growth is a vibrant red. What conditions does it perfer?

I have now trasnferred it to a 90G tank w. 4 Watts 10,000k Aquasun / gallon, NO3 5pmm, PO4 is running at .6ppm which is higher than usual for my tank. KH 4, Ph 6.7- 6.8, moderate fish load, Flourite, no substrate fertilizer for the RW,74-76 F.

Generally, what promotes the reds in Rotala species?

Thanks for the help,

Peter

 

[Professor Myers]

Off the top of my head I'd suggest a warmer spectrum bulb such as a Coralife Colormax, or any higher quality CF in the 5000/5500K range. Other than that it enjoys brisk current, and does particularly well with Co2 misting. Mine seems to do better in ADA ASA over harder/coarser substrates. If you really enjoy that Red I'd get the Colormax ! When I switched mine to 6700K they flushed considerably. HTH. Prof M

 

[Tom Barr]

ADA As should help with the Rotala's a lot. KH seems okay. I agree with Prof M's comments.