Questions with java ferns..

H

hb3133

AC Members
Jul 13, 2005
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Flagstaff, AZ
I have a few Java ferns in my planted 10 gallon tank. I have noticed that the tips of the ferns have changed from a light green to a mushy dark green. It's hard to explain so I don't know the correct term or word for the problem. To me, it looks unhealthy. The other plants are doing well except some dwarf sag which have been showing some yellowing. I'll list some tank information to help with the problem. Any help will be appreciated!

10 gallon planted tank up and running since June 1st.
6 brass tetras
ponds snails= a good amount but love them!
plants: 1 red wendtii, 1 green wendtii, numerous java ferns, 10 dwarf sags, 1anubias coffeolia, 1 anubias petite nana, 5 or 6 anacharis plus some java and willow moss.
30+ red cherry shrimp
temp= 80
lighting= 2x15 watt compact flourescent bulbs
ph= 7.4
ammonia= 0 ppm
nitrite= 0 ppm
nitrate= less than 5 ppm

I dose flourish, flourish excel, flourish nitrogen and flourish potassium. I have never checked for anything except what I have listed. If I have forgotten any other information, please let me know!
 
the "dark mushy" tips sound like rotting to me. that some of your plants are yellowing sounds like a deficiency, although i don't keep sags myself so am not sure. do you dose phosphorus? that's the only thing that seems missing. how much and how often do you dose the others?
 
I have been dosing the flourish, nitrogen, potassium, twice per week. The Excel has been at 3 times per week. All dosing are according to directions. I was thinking about buying some phosphorus as well. Like I said, almost all the Java fern tips have started this discoloration. I hope I can find the cause.
 
It's not uncommon for the tips of java fern to be a darker shade of green. When you say they are mushy do you mean they are falling apart at the tips?

Plants going yellow can mean an Fe or Mg deficiency. Your NO3 is kind of on the low side too. It would be nice to see your PO4 and GH readings.
 
Are you sure you arn't looking at the new growing leaves? The ends of those do have a portion that is still expanding that is darker, but those leaves will have no holes or edge problems. If you can find the end of the rhizome you might be able to see a new leaf comeing up and the previous leaf would be still growing like this and have the darker tip.
 
hb3133 said:
Is there any other ways to increase the levels of nitrate in my tank?
Click to expand...
yes, by supplementing nitrate. don't know what form of nitrogen is in the Flourish N supplement, but it could be either ammonium or nitrate. both are safe for fish, e.g. not nearly as toxic as ammonia or nitrite. actually, ammonium (NH4+) is the preferred form for uptake by plants. they will use that up first before they resort to nitrate or any other nitrogen state.
 
That is new growth on the java fern. Mine do that when they are healthy, you have nothing to worry about.
 
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