When I first introduced my java fern a while back into my tank, it flourished. But now it's been dying down after showing lots of brown coloring. I've been using TetraPlant FloraPride* as fertilizer. Any ideas as to what I'm doing wrong? Thanks!
How did I kill the "unkillable"?
- Thread starter pajankiegal
- Start date
Even the mighty java fern is not indestructible. What size tank you got there? What's your lighting, CO2, NO3, pH, KH? Sorry if that's a lot to ask in one go but the more info you provide, the better chance of spotting something that is wrong.
pajankiegal, I have a pair of java fern lace (microsorium wendelov) in my 10gal. I added them when I replanted the tank early April. For about the first few weeks the java fern seemed to be diong fine, but then quickly began browning and even turning black around the edges. I was ready to toss both plants. But I stuck with it and learned why microsorium is said to be nearly indestructable. Three months later the same sickly looking plants had some of the most healthy growth in the tank. And now they're pearling like it's nobody's business. 
I know this doesnt' exactly match your situation. After all you said you had the plants for some time and mine were brand new. But if your java fern is starting to brown or blacken I would recommend you not give up on them. They don't seem to need special care. All they seem to need is time.
Sickly fern (April 30th):
They're the pittiful looking things attached to the driftwood dead center in the tank.
Healthy fern (July 13th):
-edit-
To get these results I keep my parameters around these marks:
pH 7.0
GH 14dH (200 - 300ppm)
KH 5dH
Other parameters I do not meter but instead perform a 50% water change once per week and replenlish all ferts.
Out of the tap I have pH 9.0, GH 14dH, KH4.0. To a cup of aquarium water I add 1/4 tsp Seachem Acid Buffer + 1/4 tsp Seachem Alkaline Buffer. This increases KH and lowers pH.
I have 1 liter DIY CO2 on the 10 gal, and 2 L DIY CO2 on the 20 gal which get replenished once every two weeks. There's nothing else to it.
I know this doesnt' exactly match your situation. After all you said you had the plants for some time and mine were brand new. But if your java fern is starting to brown or blacken I would recommend you not give up on them. They don't seem to need special care. All they seem to need is time.
Sickly fern (April 30th):
They're the pittiful looking things attached to the driftwood dead center in the tank.
Healthy fern (July 13th):
-edit-
To get these results I keep my parameters around these marks:
pH 7.0
GH 14dH (200 - 300ppm)
KH 5dH
Other parameters I do not meter but instead perform a 50% water change once per week and replenlish all ferts.
Out of the tap I have pH 9.0, GH 14dH, KH4.0. To a cup of aquarium water I add 1/4 tsp Seachem Acid Buffer + 1/4 tsp Seachem Alkaline Buffer. This increases KH and lowers pH.
I have 1 liter DIY CO2 on the 10 gal, and 2 L DIY CO2 on the 20 gal which get replenished once every two weeks. There's nothing else to it.
Last edited:
No Co2 PH 6.0 = KH 0.0
I would look at water hardness very closely. I fought plant issues for a full year and then found that calcium and Magnesium were my key missing ingredients. Although you do not mention GH, in many cases low KH water and low GH water go hand in hand.
Before I found my problem, I had good solid 3+ degrees of Kh and soft to medium Gh levels, but it wasnt enough for good plant growth.
Java fern won't require anything close to the numbers I'm keeping my tank at, but it may need a little calcium and or agnesium boost to keep it going. I have seen a definate increase in J-fern growth since I upped my hardness levels, But it will grow acceptably IME in medium to soft water. I just don't imagine it will grow well in water devoid of hardness.
Dave
My tanks all run Some form of Calcium carbonate in the filter and in the substrate on my undergravel tanks. In most cases that is crushed coral, but I am switching to aragonite to see if it is better. In addition I dose my change water heavily with CaCl in the form of "driveway heet" ice melter made by prestone, I also dose Magnesium via epsom salts. I have found in my experience so far that java fern does O.K. at 40 ppm calcium and 5 ppm or above magnesium That is my tap level, But I have seen a huge increase in plant growth and health when I upped those levels. Right now my tanks are all running 80+ ppm calcium, and close to 40 ppm magnesium. What I do not yet know is how much difference light levels and co2 make in this need, nor do I know what ideal levels really are yet. I am still experimenting with different levels and dosing, and will probabaly need another 2 years before I am ready to write up my results for other to review. I do know for a certain fact that every type of plant I own has increased in growth and health with calcium dosing. Furthermore plants such as val and some of my swords have literally exploded since I figured out calcium was the key. I have not seen as much of a change in the java fern, but have noted increased growth and health. But my original levels were not as low as those mentioned in the above post.
Dave
Dave
As a general rule IME Pottassium defeciency causes pinholes in the leaves which grow sowly until the leaf is destroyed. I am by no means an expert on what nutrients reveal what symptoms, but any time I see a tank with no KH it is cause for concern and would be a good place to start. Pottassium may be needed as well. When I did have potassium defeciency issues, my Java fern did not show any problems, but once again that is only my personal experience and proves very little at this point.
dave
dave
Thanks for all the information, you guys! =)
I'm going to experiment a little bit and see what I come up with. Thanks again!
I'm going to experiment a little bit and see what I come up with. Thanks again!