Barbara - 2006-02-14 this is a high light plant. i have found that 14 hours of strong aquarium light are necessary for the plant to produce healthy growth. ideally, you want this plant to grow long, slender, rose to red colored leaves at the top. if the light requirements are not met, you will end up with scraggly grey green growth, and ultimately death of the plant. This is also a good plant for discus tanks, because it can quickly grow to the surface, giving discus a sense of security. when the stems begin to curl to stay underwater, cut off about 1/3-1/2 of the top part of the plant and replant. If there are any new shoots at the bottom of the old stem, allow them to grow out to make more plants.
this plant is a fairly heavy feeder, but can do just fine in plain washed gravel, and mine even tolerates an undergravel filter. I would put in some sort of nutrient supplement.
dont be scared off by the horror stories, just follow the heavy light heavy feed rule, and you should be sucessful.
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sep - 2010-11-17 I disagree with Barbara's comment, I have two T5HO bulbs over a 55 gallon tank and leave my lights on 8.5 hrs daily and these plants are doing well as a result. Of course I dose Seachem's Flourish line of ferts daily and I have an iron rich substrate as well. Leaving your lights on about 14 hrs a day will do you no good and will lead to bad algae outbreaks.
Abelard A - 2011-06-27 I understand that it needs good light and fertilization, but my worries are that some of my fishes need only not too bright light. How can I make my fish tank both beneficial to my fish and this kind of plant?
Anonymous - 2011-12-15 I have two of these plants and I really like them, but one of them only has leaves at the top....but they both seem to be growing well.
This Rotala is generally an easy plant to care for and is a great addition to many aquariums due to its beautiful tint of pink coloring on the leaves!
this is a high light plant. i have found that 14 hours of strong aquarium light are necessary for the plant to produce healthy growth. ideally, you want this plant to grow long, slender, rose to red colored leaves at the top. if the light requirements are not met, you will end up with scraggly grey green growth, and ultimately death of the plant. This is also a good plant for discus tanks, because it can quickly grow to the surface, giving discus a sense of security. when the stems begin to curl to stay underwater, cut off about 1/3-1/2 of the top part of the plant and replant. If there are any new shoots at the bottom of the old stem, allow them to grow out to make more plants.
this plant is a fairly heavy feeder, but can do just fine in plain washed gravel, and mine even tolerates an undergravel filter. I would put in some sort of nutrient supplement.
dont be scared off by the horror stories, just follow the heavy light heavy feed rule, and you should be sucessful.
I disagree with Barbara's comment, I have two T5HO bulbs over a 55 gallon tank and leave my lights on 8.5 hrs daily and these plants are doing well as a result. Of course I dose Seachem's Flourish line of ferts daily and I have an iron rich substrate as well. Leaving your lights on about 14 hrs a day will do you no good and will lead to bad algae outbreaks.
I understand that it needs good light and fertilization, but my worries are that some of my fishes need only not too bright light. How can I make my fish tank both beneficial to my fish and this kind of plant?
I have two of these plants and I really like them, but one of them only has leaves at the top....but they both seem to be growing well.