rotting leaves. should i leave them or pull them out and why?

poolman84

Hi. I put a bunch o Java Fern in my tank, and some of the leaves are rotting away. I know I'm not supposed to plant them in the gravel but I did any ways to see what would happen. Everything seems to be fine right now, with me just letting them rot away creating a layer of siltiness that my cories seem to love. Does anyone have any input it experience in this matter?
Posted via Mobile Device

redchigh

If you pulled the fern out it might come back, they're very durable plants imo.

The cories probably love it, but I would argue that there's no way to monitor it- It might produce more 'silt' than the cories will eat, and then rot, creating a jump in ammonia...

poolman84

That's theoretically right? Wouldn't it be a good source of natural fertilizer, or am I way off?
Posted via Mobile Device

Byron

My recommendation would be to not deliberately create a situation where this or any plant is demising (dying). While a decaying leaf will be broken down by bacteria and provide nutrients, it is not advisable on a larger scale. Other substances may be released, and the biiological balance in the aquarium may be disturbed, just as when a fish dies. The extent of the effects of these issues depends upon the biological state of the system. When I see a yellowing leaf or a dead fish, I remove it if I can.

Byron.

redchigh

That's kind of what I was trying to say :/

eileen

I would take any dead leaves off the plant. The plant grows by dividing rhizomes and rootstocks. The tips of old leaves will produce little plantlets that are new plants forming. These grow and float off of the mother plant. I pick these off and attach them to rocks or driftwood and add Java Moss to hold them on and tie them with clear fishing line. They grow really well like this better then in the gravel or sand. You can get several plants from 1 Java Fern just by dividing up the rhizomes and rootstock. I posted pictures below:

Attached Images

	Java fern propagating.jpg (102.7 KB, 40 views)
	Java fern plantlets.jpg (99.4 KB, 40 views)

Aqua Jon

Eileen, could you please share the title of that book? It looks like a comprehensive and simple reference - something I've been looking for.