Getting Java Fern to grow

**Nubster** · 01-07-2012, 05:38 PM

I am a bit disappointed at the lack of growth I am getting out of my Java Fern. It's healthy so I certainly can't complain about that, but the growth is very slow. I have had the needle leaf in my tank for at least two months, the Windolev about a month, and the trident a week or so. I am mostly concerned about the needle leaf because it's been there the longs but it is the one I want to grow the most. Any tips on getting it to take off?

My tank is a 75g with pressurized CO2 at 2-3bps, PPS Pro fertilizing, T5HO 54wx2, plenty of water movement.

**Nubster** · 01-07-2012, 07:57 PM

This is what I'd like to achieve...

CLICK ME \/
Resizedjavaoct30.jpg

**dutchy** · 01-07-2012, 08:04 PM

It's a slow grower. Maybe you are, without realizing it, limiting growth because of your PPS method. I'd switch to EI and see what happens.

Since all growth is driven by light, you could add a little bit more, just don't go overboard with it.

**Nubster** · 01-07-2012, 08:09 PM

Yeah, I tried reading and understanding the EI method and for some reason it wouldn't stick. That was a while back while school was still in session, maybe now that I have been off a few weeks I can try again and see if my brain has reset enough...lol...PPS Pro was just so much easier, mix up some liquids, dose daily per volume of the tank. I guess EI is similar but seemed more complicated for some reason.

**mathman** · 01-07-2012, 09:32 PM

We probably have the same light fixture...my java ferns are doing well an have shown some good growth using EI method.

**Tom Barr** · 01-08-2012, 04:21 AM

I do not think the fertilization matters that much with this weed since it's a slower grower and takes from the water column.
I'd argue that it's more a CO2/light balance issue.

The tank that this was yanked from has lots of fish and daily automated dosing, and daily water changes.

Nutrients can be kept ANYWHERE and the tank will do rather well.

As far as EI: do a water change + add ferts = set range max/min.

Does not get much simpler.

Any method you will adjust and tweak and base those on observation....but this ONLY works well if the CO2/light is in good shape.
In general ferts are VERY easy, CO2 is the tricky one.

**Nubster** · 01-08-2012, 08:07 AM

I know my tank did much better with the same fert dosing but more CO2 however now that my tank is invert only and I gassed my shrimp once on accident, it has me kinda gun shy. I really, really don't want to accidentally kill the shrimp again. I didn't wipe them out last time but I put a hurtin' on them and since the main focus of this tank is the shrimp...well...

I guess I need to read up on the dosing again. What I have been doing is pretty darn easy but I have not tweaked anything either and not sure I know how...I guess that's in the reading I need to do.

**Tom Barr** · 01-08-2012, 06:20 PM

Dosing is not the issue though.

CO2 is and you need to respect it. Take it slowly, patiently and carefully.
Increase a little bit then watch for 3-4 days. Repeat till the plants respond. Java fern will take a few weeks to respond doing this, but other species should respond faster and you can use them as a gauge, you should NEVER have to gas any fish or shrimp to do this.

**jerrybforl** · 01-08-2012, 08:29 PM

I have a massive speciman in my 100 gallon. I have good light on it and CO2. I use a diffuser for CO2. ATM this tank isn't ferted. Plants get nutrients from the fish. I have leaves pushing a foot long. Just keep an eye on your PSI on the reg and once you get below X PSI then you shut it off and refill.

**Nubster** · 01-09-2012, 05:40 AM

Originally Posted by Tom Barr

Dosing is not the issue though.

CO2 is and you need to respect it. Take it slowly, patiently and carefully.
Increase a little bit then watch for 3-4 days. Repeat till the plants respond. Java fern will take a few weeks to respond doing this, but other species should respond faster and you can use them as a gauge, you should NEVER have to gas any fish or shrimp to do this.

Right, the first time was just a mistake, first time setting up my CO2 and I had way to much going in to the tank. It has been corrected but it was too late for some of the shrimp. Fish were ok. I have the CO2 turned back a lot now...just a little bit wary of it now I guess. Thanks for the info though, I'll certainly put it into practice.