Java fern, moss or Anubias in high light?

Blinky

Blinky

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Jun 22, 2004
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I just bought new bogwood for my 65g, and while it looks nice it's a bit stark. I think it would look great covered in moss, with java fern or Anubias, but I'm not sure if they'd take well to the conditions (4.6WPG PC, they'd be ~12-16" from the light source, occasional partial shade from floating plants but full light most of the time). Any thoughts?
 
I have played a lot with driftwood and anubias, and drift wood and java fern usually with java moss. I am kind of tired of the moss and have started cutting back on it. Right now I like the way it looks just barely growing on the wood. It is a catch all for debris. And needs cleaning and pruning all the time.
I am training some anubias on a piece of root right now. Anubias looks it's best on wood. Everything from the root system to the leaves look good. A line of anubias cutting across a tank on a piece of driftwood is a very striking affect.
I actually prefer the Java fern plantlets to the Java fern once it starts to grow out in that kind of row. Periodically I have to give Java Fern away. It is very rewarding in that way. I got one leaf, if I remember correctly, back in the 80s.

As far as the high light goes I can't really say as I have never really used it. My understanding is that it would be fine. The java fern will grow straighter and more leathery. So I guess the real answer to your actual question is I have no idea.
 
After much reading (not much else to do with this crazy weather we're having), it looks like Java fern will be okay in high light as long as it gets sufficient nutrients - if the gurus on the Krib say so, I believe them :)
 
I think you ought to ask djlen, if I remember that alias correctly because I think he is growing anubias in high light. I think it would work. Java fern will give you more plant filler. More leaves. I saw the picture of you tank, java fern would fill in that space very nicely. Well done.
 
I'm doing java fern under high light and it's growing really well. Take a look at the photo on my member page. The tank has changed slightly since the last photo but the java fern is in the same place. I'm slowly replacing the back half of the java fern with bolbitus, which is another good option for attaching to driftwood.
 
Should definitely be fine. I've found anubias to attract algae in higher light tanks. The good thing is that these plants can be shaded and still do well.

I'd avoid java moss because it will be very difficult to control at those light levels.

Your java fern will probably do this
normal_javafernpearl.jpg
 
Thanks guys :)
I bought a very healthy looking Java fern the other day and placed it on the driftwood. It wasted no time in getting straight down to business - the next day it was pearling away like mad, just like you said it would :D
I've removed the Bacopa from the back, decided to let the Rotata and Hygro rule the back for now. There's a small piece of J fern (broke off in transport)nearly dead centre, but I put the main plant right of centre - it looked funny right in the middle. It's an absolutely gorgeous plant, I have no idea why I waited so long to get one! I'm excited to see how it grows in - I saw some huge plants at the store when I bought mine, they were magnificent.
 
The great thing about java fern is that when they start growing adventitious plantlets, there's no stopping them. I started with a single rhizome with 3 leaves and now my wood is covered. Actually, things really took off after I won my battle with algae and got my dosing figured out. I recently bought myself a lace java fern. Strange looking plant.
 
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