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There are many references to java fern turning brown on the web, including this forum... maybe too many. I can't seem to find definitive advice.
My tank basics should show up in my signature.
Last October I bought a huge bundle of mature java fern (I don't know the exact variety). I read enough to learn not to plant it in substrate. I attached it to driftwood pieces. After a few weeks of acclimating, it took off. It was vibrant green, shot out fernlets all over the place, and was doing well. (My tank then was newly- but well-cycled using fishless method).
For a couple months it has been progressively turning brown and dying back. This isn't just browning of a few old leaves. Serious plant thinning and dying. The only thing I can think of I've changed is going quite a while between water changes. Before I get hammered, let me explain why.
First I have some health issues that make frequent water changes challenging sometimes, but a big reason I let it go much longer between water changes is because the nitrates never increased over 5 ppm (ammonia 0, nitrites 0, hardness about 7.8 ). I figured my plants were to thank and must actually benefit from some nitrates. This, along with the fact that my fish seem very happy and healthy (the Acei even bred for the first time) made me decide to wait to see if nitrates go up above 5. They didn't.
By the way my anubias is doing well still. My lighting is T-8, one bulb is daylight from Lowe's and the other is 10,000K Zoo Med bulb. I have them on a timer for about 11-12 hours each day, little-to-no natural sunlight gets in. My water test kit can't test for phosphorous, potassium, etc. I thought java fern would not require fertilizing, so I haven't done that.
Could infrequent water changes adversely effect the plants even though nitrates are so low already? Anybody have advice on how to save the java fern? I really liked it when it was doing well and I hate to lose what's left of the mature plants.
My tank basics should show up in my signature.
Last October I bought a huge bundle of mature java fern (I don't know the exact variety). I read enough to learn not to plant it in substrate. I attached it to driftwood pieces. After a few weeks of acclimating, it took off. It was vibrant green, shot out fernlets all over the place, and was doing well. (My tank then was newly- but well-cycled using fishless method).
For a couple months it has been progressively turning brown and dying back. This isn't just browning of a few old leaves. Serious plant thinning and dying. The only thing I can think of I've changed is going quite a while between water changes. Before I get hammered, let me explain why.
First I have some health issues that make frequent water changes challenging sometimes, but a big reason I let it go much longer between water changes is because the nitrates never increased over 5 ppm (ammonia 0, nitrites 0, hardness about 7.8 ). I figured my plants were to thank and must actually benefit from some nitrates. This, along with the fact that my fish seem very happy and healthy (the Acei even bred for the first time) made me decide to wait to see if nitrates go up above 5. They didn't.
By the way my anubias is doing well still. My lighting is T-8, one bulb is daylight from Lowe's and the other is 10,000K Zoo Med bulb. I have them on a timer for about 11-12 hours each day, little-to-no natural sunlight gets in. My water test kit can't test for phosphorous, potassium, etc. I thought java fern would not require fertilizing, so I haven't done that.
Could infrequent water changes adversely effect the plants even though nitrates are so low already? Anybody have advice on how to save the java fern? I really liked it when it was doing well and I hate to lose what's left of the mature plants.