Questions about Java ferns........

[hb3133]

I had a quick questions about my java ferns. The leaves on a few of the plants seem to be getting black irregular spots; some leaves have small holes and overall look poor. I have notice new leaves on a few of the plants so I think they are still growing. All the ferns are attached to the bogwood in my tank. Any suggestions?

10 gallon planted tank
6 gold tetras
2 pieces of bogwood
3 java ferns
3 anacharis
1 anubias petite nana
1 anubias coffeeolia
8 dwarf sags

ammonia: 0ppm
nitrite: 0ppm
nitrate: less than 5ppm?
ph: 7.4

Eco-complete
30 watts compact flourescent
10 hours of light
cycled with bio-spira on 6/23

Just recently started to add flourish and flourish excel and purchased flourish potassium and nitrogen from Big Al's online. Did I forget anything? I do not have any other test kits.

 

[Peyton]

I see you never mentioned phosphorus. You might want to get a test kit for it. My java fern was doing the same thing and I just found out today (just got my test kits) that my tank has been dreadfully low on it. I never added it except whatever was in my tap water. I would almost bet you have the exact same problem.

 

[hb3133]

Besides the tests I listed, what other test kits should I purchase?


p.s. I also have 1 red wendtii

 

[Peyton]

Maybe someone who is more knowledgable than myself will chime in but I say just the phosphorus kit. You got everything else covered .

You said you have red wendtii? I assume you mean crypt wendtii? I'm not sure if you can even kill that plant, willfully or otherwise. I had it in my tank as it set neglected for a year or more and it grew like crazy. At least that has been my experience.

 

[hb3133]

As far as the other plants, they all are growing and looking healthy(so far). I am also worried that my nitrate is so low. I have read that nitrate should be somewhere between 10-20ppm. Like I said in the original post, I ordered flourish nitrogen and potassium. I was wondering if I should feed more or add more fish?

 

[Peyton]

Your right in that nitrate should be between 10-20 ppm. I wouldn't feed any more and adding more fish is entirely up to you. However you have that base covered with the flourish nitrogen though. I still say phosphrus is your main problem.