Help with Rotala Macrandra

[michael lai]

Hi everyone,
I have been trying these plants for a few times now. Can anyone help? My problem is the plant's stem keep rotting( Thinning out ). They usually last about a month. The leaves and upper stems were fine but the base stem keep thinning out.

I put them in my 200 litre tank( 3 ft )
Lighting is 2 x Dennerle Amazon Daylight, 3 ft fluros.(On for 12 hours/day)
Nutrients is Dennerle E15, V30, A1 & PF 7( according to Dennerle's prescription for dosage)
Subtrate is 2mm size river gravel, about 3" deep with JBL & Dennerle Dupont mix as fertiliser.

Could I have damage the stems using pincers when planting or because of the fishes? I have some small barbs,(Golden).
Really appreciate any info thks.

[Wackytpt]

Hi everyone,
I have been trying these plants for a few times now. Can anyone help? My problem is the plant's stem keep rotting( Thinning out ). They usually last about a month. The leaves and upper stems were fine but the base stem keep thinning out.

I put them in my 200 litre tank( 3 ft )
Lighting is 2 x Dennerle Amazon Daylight, 3 ft fluros.(On for 12 hours/day)
Nutrients is Dennerle E15, V30, A1 & PF 7( according to Dennerle's prescription for dosage)
Subtrate is 2mm size river gravel, about 3" deep with JBL & Dennerle Dupont mix as fertiliser.

Could I have damage the stems using pincers when planting or because of the fishes? I have some small barbs,(Golden).
Really appreciate any info thks.

I think maybe if you can post some pictures of your tank would be of a help. I doubt the fishes are the cause of it. One of the few possibilities coudl be the light couldn't penetrate to the bottom area of the plants

[confusekid]

Not enough light. I think you have around 72 watts of light. you need maybe double the amount them for them to grow properly.

Jack

[michael lai]

Thks Wacky & Confuse,

I'm quite poor with computers but will try to post a picture here. Give me a couple of days.

Was thinking with my lighting now, the evaporation rate was quite fast. about 1-2mm daily. If like double of what I have now, would it be too much?

I'm using those light holders that have 2 legs support at both ends of the tank.

[Simon]

michael, you can try planting them sparsely and not bunch them together. If the same problem arises, then you might want to look into adding more lights

[michael lai]

thks Simon,
For the pointer,actually I have done a little digging thru the net.But I was hoping a local had success with this beautiful plants and maybe enlighten me (because the water quality would be the same.)Got some wonderful specimen from my LFS.What a pity.

Anyway this was my sixth attempt, I think I'll put in another tube and observe.This plant was also part of the reason why I tried the DEnnerle fertiliser regime.

[confusekid]

I have great success with this plant. Initially mine also melted at the bottom only when I increase my light to 76watt for my 2 feet,then they do well. Maybe you can try to plant them in the middle of your tank(highest light intensity) and see if they also melt at the bottom.

Jack

[ahkarboy]

Hi everyone,
I have been trying these plants for a few times now. Can anyone help? My problem is the plant's stem keep rotting( Thinning out ). They usually last about a month. The leaves and upper stems were fine but the base stem keep thinning out.

I put them in my 200 litre tank( 3 ft )
Lighting is 2 x Dennerle Amazon Daylight, 3 ft fluros.(On for 12 hours/day)
Nutrients is Dennerle E15, V30, A1 & PF 7( according to Dennerle's prescription for dosage)
Subtrate is 2mm size river gravel, about 3" deep with JBL & Dennerle Dupont mix as fertiliser.

Could I have damage the stems using pincers when planting or because of the fishes? I have some small barbs,(Golden).
Really appreciate any info thks.

Wats your temperature? are u usin a chiller or a fan? if u have a fan then evaporation rate will increase greatly!! My rotala the same thing too but the top is red cause its gettin light and the bottom isnt

[robin]

I had the same problems too when my tank condition was bad although I have enough light.

Are you facing any algae issues?
If yes, get the conditions right before playing with the lights.

Regards
Robin

[michael lai]

Thanks Jack,Arkar & Robin
For the advise, will keep u guys posted on the next attempt.
And yes, robin I'm also always fighting algae