Hi there,
I have my first tank (since I was a kid) up and running and have a couple of Java Fern "Windelov" plants in there. I bought the plants on the advice of the fish store guy, I asked for "Idiot proof" plants and these were the ones he grabbed for me. I'm also thinking of adding some Java Moss to use as a denser cover.
I was wondering about the growth rates of these two types as well as reproduction. All the websites I've researched have listed them as slow to very slow. Unfortunately since these are relative terms I have no idea what they mean. When they say very slow do they mean that the plant will be mostly unchanged in six months time? I'm not in a particular rush but I have some specific coverage ideas for the Java Moss and if it's going to take 2 years to see any sort of expansion it'll have some bearing as to how much I seed!!
I did read the stickies at the top about encouraging plant growth but some specific advice on these two types would be great. My tank is a 33 gallon (36 inches long by 12 inches wide) and it came with it's own hood and light. I don't plan on upgrading the light fixture itself (although the flourescent bult is negotiable) so without a drastic improvement in the light I probably won't need CO2 injection for these plants correct? With a setup and plants like this how about some of these commercial fertilizers. I plan on using the flourish trace elements because there are somethings that tap water just doesn't provide!! But how about some of the others, If i'm not adding CO2 or light will I be wasting my money and (worse) encouraging algae growth??
Thanks for your patience and replies!!
I have my first tank (since I was a kid) up and running and have a couple of Java Fern "Windelov" plants in there. I bought the plants on the advice of the fish store guy, I asked for "Idiot proof" plants and these were the ones he grabbed for me. I'm also thinking of adding some Java Moss to use as a denser cover.
I was wondering about the growth rates of these two types as well as reproduction. All the websites I've researched have listed them as slow to very slow. Unfortunately since these are relative terms I have no idea what they mean. When they say very slow do they mean that the plant will be mostly unchanged in six months time? I'm not in a particular rush but I have some specific coverage ideas for the Java Moss and if it's going to take 2 years to see any sort of expansion it'll have some bearing as to how much I seed!!
I did read the stickies at the top about encouraging plant growth but some specific advice on these two types would be great. My tank is a 33 gallon (36 inches long by 12 inches wide) and it came with it's own hood and light. I don't plan on upgrading the light fixture itself (although the flourescent bult is negotiable) so without a drastic improvement in the light I probably won't need CO2 injection for these plants correct? With a setup and plants like this how about some of these commercial fertilizers. I plan on using the flourish trace elements because there are somethings that tap water just doesn't provide!! But how about some of the others, If i'm not adding CO2 or light will I be wasting my money and (worse) encouraging algae growth??
Thanks for your patience and replies!!
