Java Problems

mr.key

mr.key

circumambulator
Dec 30, 2007
235
0
16
I have a 55 gallon heavily planted tank(HM, r.indica, ludwigia, vals, crypts, hygro difformis, a couple swords, dwarf sag).

I have a lot of trouble growing java moss and java fern. I think the fern gets black spots from lack of nitrate and stops growing loses leaves and the rhizome just sits there and the moss doesn't seem to get established and is eaten away by the siamensis and MTS.

Willow moss does well in the tank but I am raising the temp to 82 (for GBR's) and assume it will die on me. I also have some trouble with the hygro growing very slowly. I assume these are linked by nitrate deficiency but would like to know what you think.

Thoughts, suggestions?



Ph: 7.2
Ammonia:0
Nitrites:0
Nitrated:0
GH(11) and KH(6) are moderate-high
DIY CO2
Fertilize with Flourish substrate has Flourish tabs
2 65W 6000K CFl

I know that the tank is cycled not only because I watched it cycle but the last time I had trouble with my lighting the nitrate began to climb over the 4 days it took to replace the light.
 
keep the fern and moss out of direct light for a little and see what happens. it may be too bright for them. the opposite may be true as well, but not likely.
 
Yeah, they need food. Even if you have nitrate in the water column, the faster growing stems would be using it up. You have decent light, plus Carbon (CO2), likely enough calcium/magnesium. For those stem plants (HM, Rotala, Ludwigia, Hygrophila) I'd be adding NPK via liquid fertilizers.
 
Thank you all.

Viking, I have added K in the past to "brighten" the plants up. What are suggestions for good NPK fertilizers and/or sources of PMDD and comments on it? I have looked into getting this but it is expensive to buy all the ingredients singly and to buy the one premix I've found.
 
If you want cheap, look for stump remover at Walmart. It's potassium nitrate (KNO3) in powder/granular form. Enough to last you close to a year +/- for under $10. You can also pick up some Fleet Enema which is KH2PO4. It's been a while since I dosed with it...1 drop per 10gallons rings a bell but don't quote me on it. The last time I bought it, it was the generic brand and was $1 for a 133ml bottle. You can use a fertilizer calculator to figure out how much you need. As you can probably tell, there's potassium (K) in each so you likely wouldn't have to dose potassium with anything else.

I buy enough that I would purchase from aquariumfertilizer.com, formerly gregwatson.com. I also like CSM+B. It's $12 per lb. which will last you forever...or close to it. :)

Hope this helps!
 
BTW to respond to pinkertd, if you have a problems keeping nitrate low I can't recommend amazon frogbit enough it needs medium light but once its happy it keeps the water CLEAN as well as providing security to skittish fish.

I actually ordered the PMDD from the site and I'll let you know if it takes care of the problems.
 
mr.key said:
BTW to respond to pinkertd, if you have a problems keeping nitrate low I can't recommend amazon frogbit enough it needs medium light but once its happy it keeps the water CLEAN as well as providing security to skittish fish.
Click to expand...

Thanks mr.key. I just couldn't resist commenting. I only have higher nitrates because I have large discus creating higher nitrates:grinyes:. Plus I start with around 7 out of the tap. But it's not an issue, water change, water change, water change!:grinyes:
 
Looks like you have a low nitrate problem. Most stem plants are "water feeders" and get little food from roots.
I have to add nitrates to get to "0".
 
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