Rotalia rotundifolia problems

So I set up a new 29g planted tank about 2 weeks ago and all my plants are doing ok except my rotalia rotundifolia and not sure why. My tank is as follows:
*Organic miraclegro potting mix
*Sand cap
*Thrive root caps
*ThriveC liquid fertilizer
*Sponge filter (don't plan on a heavy fish stocking so no need for a bigger filter plus loads of plants)
* finnex planted plus 24/7 light
* heater at 75°
*boat water bubbler for more water agitation *approximately 60 plants No fish yet as I am still in the middle of cycle.

My parameters are as follows 7.4 ph, 0.5 ammonia, 2ppm nitrite, and 10 ppm nitrate

All my plants are doing good (only lost a few leaves or a little discolored in a few leaves but new healthy growth) except my rotalia. The leaves are brown and mush but the stems do look ok and are hard to the touch. I know plants go through acclimation and lose leaves but all of them? Should I toss or keep since stems are good? Will leaves come back? I was under the impression rotalia were hardy, easy plants but now not so sure. Any help is appreciated.

 

In my opinion it looks like they are unfortunately past the point of saving. When I was cycling my tank I killed ALL my anubias, and I know they are hardier than most plants. Someone else might have a more scientific explanation but I think sometimes some plants make it and some don't sometimes?
I just got some rotalia as well and I don't have high hopes they will take very well in my tank either. But they don't look like that, just very pale.

 

In my opinion it looks like they are unfortunately past the point of saving. When I was cycling my tank I killed ALL my anubias, and I know they are hardier than most plants. Someone else might have a more scientific explanation but I think sometimes some plants make it and some don't sometimes?
I just got some rotalia as well and I don't have high hopes they will take very well in my tank either. But they don't look like that, just very pale.

Thanks for your help. I was thinking the same as you that they are past the point of saving but wanted to have another opinion due to the stems being hard and not mush. If they had a chance I did not want to throw them out.

 

I'd give it a week or so and see if it sprouts some roots. Leaves are cheap; if the stem is in good shape and it sprouts root it might start a few new sprouts.

 

I'd give it a week or so and see if it sprouts some roots. Leaves are cheap; if the stem is in good shape and it sprouts root it might start a few new sprouts.

Thanks I think I may do this. The rotalia was the plants i was most looking forward to due to their color. Thanks

 

Rotala rotundifolia is especially sensitive to ammonia in my experience if comes from an environment without much ammonia and is then put into an ammonia heavy environment. In freshly dirted tanks, the amount of ammonia will be quite a bit. Without the necessary CO2 to use it, the Rotala could be burnt up by the ammonia as it adjusts to your tank. As long as the stem is fine, it'll likely regrow. I'd continue doing frequent water changes to dilute the amount of ammonia released in the first couple of months of your tank. The rotala will eventually adapt and regrow.

 

Rotala rotundifolia is especially sensitive to ammonia in my experience if comes from an environment without much ammonia and is then put into an ammonia heavy environment. In freshly dirted tanks, the amount of ammonia will be quite a bit. Without the necessary CO2 to use it, the Rotala could be burnt up by the ammonia as it adjusts to your tank. As long as the stem is fine, it'll likely regrow. I'd continue doing frequent water changes to dilute the amount of ammonia released in the first couple of months of your tank. The rotala will eventually adapt and regrow.

Ok well this explains it. I didn't know it was so sensitive. I'm in the middle of the cycle so yes it was exposed to the high ammonia and nitrites. The entire stem was mush by this morning so it got thrown out. I will try It again once my cycle is over and see if it takes to my tank. If not I'll find something to put in its place. Thanks so much

 

Ok well this explains it. I didn't know it was so sensitive. I'm in the middle of the cycle so yes it was exposed to the high ammonia and nitrites. The entire stem was mush by this morning so it got thrown out. I will try It again once my cycle is over and see if it takes to my tank. If not I'll find something to put in its place. Thanks so much

In freshly dirted tanks without CO2, I too have had issues with rotala rotundifolia. Once it starts growing in your tank, it is an especially hardy/easy plant. I'd definitely try it again after your tank has run its cycle.

 

I may be wrong but it kinda looks like you have it planted upside down. the leaves appear to be pointing downwards. Do you have any fertilizers?

 

I’d just take off the dead leaves and leave the bare stems for a week or two and see if they sprout, if the stems die take them out too. I have a bucket in my backyard where I just throw all my stems with too much melt and no leaves, after a few weeks in the sun and loose dirt (no sand cap), I usually find new sprouts from all my plants, Rotala included.

 

I may be wrong but it kinda looks like you have it planted upside down. the leaves appear to be pointing downwards. Do you have any fertilizers?

I think you're right, OP has them planted upside down on closer look. I guess that's why they died. EDIT: I just realized that the tops are trying to come out of the substrate. There's a small sprout near the rotala bases.

 

In freshly dirted tanks without CO2, I too have had issues with rotala rotundifolia. Once it starts growing in your tank, it is an especially hardy/easy plant. I'd definitely try it again after your tank has run its cycle.

Thanks so much!