2nd attempt at trying plants...failing hard
- Thread starter jd8521
- Start date
kj5kb
KEEPER OF CATS, FISH AND CATFISHES
tying it to a rock works well too...and the rock can be placed on other rocks.
I use a strip of nylon stocking to tie them; seems to work better than thread cuz it's elastic.
IMHO doubling the amount of light in there would help a LOT.
Root tabs under java ferns planted in substrate are useless for root feeding. The reason is, those aren't roots, they're holdfasts. They don't extract nutrients for the plant, they just cling to surfaces.
Mark
I was going to suggest the same thing, LOL. I've got java fern attached to all kinds of things in my 2 tanks and it does very well!
I agree with the rock/driftwood technique, java fern roots grow more horizontally then down. So attaching it to a surface above the substrate so the light hits the roots itself will allow it to spread and multiply. If it really wants to sent it's roots into the substrate it will do it. I do the same thing with anubius and you can tell they hunt down ferts because they all end up sending the roots into the gravel. JF does not so I just suggest just keeping it tied to something as well.
My first suggestion was going to be to dig it up if it was buried. Mine seem to do much better either free floating (typically they stay right at the bottom of the tank) or attached to driftwood. But you've already got those suggestions, so I'd say go with that and see how it does. None of my tanks are lit any higher than yours (wpg is right around 1 or less, and I have the 6700K bulbs) and mine are doing just fine, so I think that might be the first thing I'd try before spending a lot of money on upgrading the lighting if you don't intend on keeping higher-light plants.
None of my tanks are lit any higher than yours (wpg is right around 1 or less, and I have the 6700K bulbs) and mine are doing just fine, so I think that might be the first thing I'd try before spending a lot of money on upgrading the lighting if you don't intend on keeping higher-light plants.
You may have gotten a bad plant from the start so maybe try some new ones. I'm far from being any kind of expert but it seems its hard to kill those java ferns. I don't think they need any fert and not much light.
I have a 65 gal african tank but still wanted plants for looks and some water quality. So after some research here, monsterfish and reef central, I got a bunch of ferns and anubias and just AC glued them to small rocks and placed them a larger rock structure. Take a look:
I have a 65 gal african tank but still wanted plants for looks and some water quality. So after some research here, monsterfish and reef central, I got a bunch of ferns and anubias and just AC glued them to small rocks and placed them a larger rock structure. Take a look:
Wow thanks for all the info everybody! Yes, the little rhizome buried. I will let it free float tonight and maybe tie it to a rock. I dont have any driftwood right now but I do have some "tall" java rocks. I'm headed to an awesome fish store on my break today and see what they have for driftwood and rocks. I may pick up some liquid fert too.
Hopefully i didnt do a lot of damage and can save the plant.
Hopefully i didnt do a lot of damage and can save the plant.
AC glue is "super glue or crazy glue" I get mine at Home Depot or Lowe's. It comes in gel form or a thinner type. It is made by Locktite although many manufactures make it. I first saw folks using it to glue delicate corals to small rocks. I could not believe that it was not harmful to the water or the coral!!! It is so much easier to glue the plants than to try and tie them on with plastic or thread or rubber bands. Try it!!!! and...good luck with your plants!
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