java fern - how "low light" can you go?

[maxthedog123]

I did some rearranging in my 55g tank and had a couple of clumps of java fern left over. I decided to throw some into my son's 20g that has all plastic plants.

Upon inspection, the high end light from kit I bought him has a 15w bulb. (It's an AllGlass bulb.)

Am I delusional putting the java fern in that tank? Not looking for huge growth, but I don't want it to rot either. I considered throwing some Flourish in there, but there has been some BBA and I thought that might provide more nutrients for the algae than a single java fern would take up.

Thoughts? Should I give it a go and leave it in or take it out?

[Miyavism]

0.75 WPG seems very low to me. Personally, I've never gone below 1.5 WPG. What would probably happen is that after several months the fern may start deteriorating and collecting algae. D:

On a side note, you might wanna consider doing some hardcore maintenance for that BBA. That bugger is deadly.

[star_rider]

I've got lace java fern in a 20 with 15 watts and it grows like crazy.

it now covers a small/med piece(8") of driftwood..completely

[pinkertd]

I'd say throw in in too. I have it in 3 different sized tanks with low lighting and it grows best in the 20G but grows in the large tanks too. Also, wanted to mention that Flourish Excel will get rid of your bba very quickly. I was very skeptical, but tried it, dosed the tank every day for a week and it all disappeared. Has not come back and I don't use the Excel hardly ever.

Debbi:)

[maxthedog123]

Since Starrider seemed to get it to grow in .75wpg, I will probably let the fern grown for a while in there.

I have read quite at bit about Flourish Excel killing BBA - it does work. I'll throw some of that in. My son won't be at my house this weekend - I am planning to do a major scrubbing to try to get the BBA out.

Not to go off topic on my own post, but would a bleach solution be good for the decor with BBA? What ratio of bleach:water would be good?

[Temo]

i have a java fern in a 1 gal and using room light and it grow well

[msjinkzd]

i have 30w over a 36g tank and have had huge success with java fern. Go for it.

[NinjaPirate]

The only lighting I've ever had java ferns not do well in is No light.

[kr0nic]

I have java fern doing nicely in 0.9 WPG

[Marinemom]

The java fern will be fine in less then one watt of light. It grows with almost no light at all.

Marinemom

[maxthedog123]

Awesome - thanks for the data from everyone. I will keep it in there.

At first my boy wasn't so sure about it - he didn't want me to mess up "his" aquarium. After thinking about it for a bit, he decided it might be cool to have a plant that will "grow" since everything else is plastic.

My son is 5 years old, so this is his first tank. He wanted this for his birthday and this is what re-sparked my interest in the hobby. I had a 10g when I was a kid and always wanted a "big" tank. After setting his up, I found myself out buying a 55g (after deciding I didn't want to reinforce floors for a 150g), live plants, and pretty soon a cannister filter and a full blown CO2 setup. Now I have a case of MTS and need a bigger one!!

[cichlidcichlid]

wait so if i put java fern a 30gallon tank i would be able to grow it with a 15watt bulb?

[Slappy*McFish]

If you place it near or at least half way to the surface, yes...it will grow just fine.