Java Fern Question

[JDogg]

is .55 wpg enough for java fern?

i am currently not dosing anything on this tank (45 gal Lake Malawi tank) i am just relying on PWC and Fish to provide plants with nutrients.

the java fern leaves are starting to look a little raged, perhaps iron deficiency? (small holes in leaves) might also be from mbuna, though i have not observed them picking on the plants yet.

ferns are tied to a rock so rhizome is exposed...

 

[Jchillin]

That may be stretching it a bit...little more than .5wpg. I've heard of some success stories with that amount however, not much. Since Java ferns don't require any significant dosing, I'd say it's the lighting.

 

[WaterPond]

i had sucess with java fern with 0wpg, i had it in my 10gal which i didn't keep lights on years ago. I didnt dose, and it had only room light from my light fixture on my ceiling. It grew pretty well too.

 

[JDogg]

actually it is a 25 watt T8, so doesn't that make it actually 0.83 wpg? (watt of light *1.5 then divide by 45 gallons)

the tank is tall, but the java fern is ~ 1 foot from the light on top of rock pile...