Translucent Java Fern

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BlazerFRS

Aquarium Advice Freak
Joined
Aug 26, 2005
Messages
320
Location
Rochester, NY
I had been having trouble to get my java fern to grow at all since it's intro to my tank about 6 weeks ago... the leaves were really dark green and getting covered in a blackish brown coating I think are Diatoms. Also, it wasn't the nicest specimen to begin with (petsmart's plants always look kinda weak). I trimmed the worst affected leaves about 2 weeks ago and since I've had a bunch of new shoots from the rhizome, and 3 plantlets grow on the tips of the mature leaves I left intact.

I'm now seeing a third or so of the tip of the new leaves turning sort of translucent... I assume this is a nutrient deficiency, but of what nutrient?

The only relevant test kit I have is NO3; These are consistently around 20-30 ppm.

The only fert I dose is a few drops of Seachem Flourish at each water change.

This is the tank in my Sig, btw.

TIA
 
I have the same problem; however, I believe the answer is nutrient deficiency and too much light (the combination of that). I'm not sure which nutrient though.

I grow extra java fern floating in small clear plastic cups on a window sill. They grow faster than in the tank however all of the leaves are slightly translucent.
 
Too much light shouldn't be a problem. Likely a nutrient imbalance.
20-30ppm nitrate is a bit high...but keeping a fantail in 6gallons will do that.

I'd give a full 1mL of flourish after a water change, and you might try a mL or two of Flourish Excel 2x a week.
 
I doubt vbery much it's too much light as I'm only running 1.33 WPG (sorry, forgot to include that in the first post)

20-30ppm nitrate is a bit high...but keeping a fantail in 6gallons will do that.

Indeed it will- However I've got a 10 gallon I'll be setting up with sand blasting sand substrate and the AHsupply 2x13w CF bright kit over thanksgiving- should be a decent upgrade.

In the meantime I'll try and pick up some excel and maybe a PO3 test kit as well while I'm out today.

Thanks
 
Ya I wasn't sure about your lighting and didn't pay attention to the goldfish :x

I was right about the nutrients though :lol:
 
Just an update:

My LFS doesnt stock excel so I picked up some leaf zone-figuring Id give another trace mix a try.

Since my fist dose (7 days ago) the translucent areas of the new leaves have reduced in size substantially. Now only the very tip of the leaves are afffected.

I just added another dose- Hopefuly me results will continue!
 
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