Help with Rotala Macrandra

[kennedy_ng]

Tank Dimensions (LxWxH, specify units): 150 x 50 x 75

Lighting Intensity(No of Watts) : 216 Watts
Number and type of Lighting (FL/PL/MH) : T5
Age of light bulbs : 3 months
No. of hours your lights are on : 10 hrs

CO2 Injection Rate (bps) : 3
Type of CO2 (DIY/Cylinder) : Cylinder
Method of Injection (e.g. Diffusor/Reactor) : Diffusor

Liquid fertilisers Used (Product name. E.g. Seachem Flourish) : Dose Phosphate, Potassium sulphate, Dr Mallick Aqua, Micros, Seachem Equalibrium, Potassium Nitrate.

Once a week

Type of Filter (overhead/internal/canister, Product name/model if possible) : 2028

Age of setup (i.e. since initial setup or last major re-do ) : 2 months

Water change frequency : once a week
Amount changed : 20%

Water surface movement (None/gentle/turbulent) : Gentle
Circulation (None/gentle/turbulent) : Gentle

Tank Temperature : 27.5






Have been guessing for a few weeks, trying out different amount of fertiliser. But still do not know what's causing the plant to have those green veins and smaller leaves.

Thanks.

Regards,
Kennedy

[PeterGwee]

CO2. One diffuser for a 5f tank is really pushing things to the limit unless you have very good circulation and the mist gets to all parts of the tank.

Regards
Peter Gwee

[kennedy_ng]

Oh.. but I put the diffuser at the filter output and it's blowing all the bubbles towards this plant. So I guess this plant definitely get a lot of Co2.


Regards,
Kennedy

[ranmasatome]

i really hate to jump to the calcium band wagon so i'll say check your no3 dosage..

[kennedy_ng]

Thanks a lot. Will do a large water change and dose the nutrients accordingly.

Regards,
Kennedy

[PeterGwee]

I'll suggest you add more micros/CO2 and find out your KH. This plant does grow better at lower KH. CO2 is the toughest thing to get right in this hobby. You may think its not but if all your other nutrients and light are being covered, the only thing left is CO2. Its your call...

Regards
Peter Gwee

[kennedy_ng]

I decided to be very sure about Co2 and got a internal reactor. The outlet is connected to a spray bar placed along 3/4 down the tank. Circulation and co2 distribution should be alright. Will be pumping up on micros and other nutrients. Is 216 watts of T5 light too little for a 2.5 ft high tank?

BTW, does Malachite green oxalate and Formaldehyde solution affect plants adversely? I am dosing a anti- ich medicine to the water now.

[PeterGwee]

Does the issue occur only with the old growth down the bottom? The medication can have some effect but it should affect the rest of the plants as well. Try the CO2 misting method and give the plant sometime to recover as long as you have covered everything.

Sidenote: You should get champagne style pearling on this plant easily if the light, nutrients and CO2 are non-limiting.

Regards
Peter Gwee

[FC]

Kennedy,

I best guess are:

CO2:
If you use solenoid valve,
- you should have about 6~7 bps. Use your ear to count.
- Turn on/off 1 hr before light on/off.
If you inject 24 hrs, release about 2~3 bps.

The Rotala Macrandra is light and nutrient hungry plant. That is, you can get it to its' best form (large vibrant coloured leaves) through firstly high light, then CO2, follow by macro like KNO3, Ca, Mg, etc and lastly micros.

However, like any medium~difficult plants, you need to allow time for it to adapt to new environment.
- Let it grow and do not disturb till it reach the surface
- Trim the bottom and plant the top
Repeat the above 2~3 times, they should then be happy. If not, you then need to look for parameters.