[xfatdannx]

Java fern has been in the tank for about a week and it seems it is slowly turning brown. Is there something i should do. I have a fluval edge with 2 10w halogen lights. been reading a little high on ammonia lately but nitrates and nitrites have been in the safe zone.

ammonia is between 1 and 2 ppm the last few days

 

[RedRaider15]

What size is the aquarium and can you post any pictures?

 

[Boredomb]

Do you does any fertilizer?? Is the Java fern the only plant you have or the only plant you have turning brown?? How close to the lights is it? How long are the lights on for?
Posted via Mobile Device

 

[ao]

my javaferns used to melt under high light. not sure about halogen light wattage... so I cant help you there...

 

[Aurie]

I had about 40 ferns, I traded all but 3 into my LFS for a credit. I decided then to dose my 10 gallon tank with a couple drops of excel and and within 24 hours my 3 plants are almost gone! I've done 2 water changes and that seems to help but the damage is done. 2 plants are toast but my big one barely survived. No other plants were harmed. I can only assume it was the excel so I'm not using it on that tank again.

 

[Boredomb]

Yeah Excel is a pretty wicked chemical! It can make different plants melt. I know it makes Vallisneria melt.
Posted via Mobile Device

 

[xfatdannx]

i have a picture in my aquarium log, the tank is a 6gal fluval edge with anachris, java fern, and a lava rock. one fish,Serpae Tetra (please hold off on the you should have more fish posts for now, i know. i learn the hard way sometimes...)

 

[Byron]

You didnt' answer Boredomb's question on fertilizer; if none is being used, that may be the issue. Java Fern does prefer less light, and floating plants are usually best to deal with this. But from the photo the light does not seem unreasonable. What is the GH of the tap water? And are you doing regular partial water changes, and if so how much?

Byron.

 

[Byron]

I had about 40 ferns, I traded all but 3 into my LFS for a credit. I decided then to dose my 10 gallon tank with a couple drops of excel and and within 24 hours my 3 plants are almost gone! I've done 2 water changes and that seems to help but the damage is done. 2 plants are toast but my big one barely survived. No other plants were harmed. I can only assume it was the excel so I'm not using it on that tank again.

As Boredomb said, Excel can be dangerous. I do not recommend it, or any other "carbon" supplement.

Java Fern being a slow growing plant does not require much nutrient supplementation, or high light. The CO2 naturally occurring in the tank will be sufficient.

Byron.

 

[xfatdannx]

sorry i missed the part about fert. no i do not use any. According to my Tetra EasyStrips the GH is between soft and hard, reading between 75 and 150 ppm.

 

[Byron]

sorry i missed the part about fert. no i do not use any. According to my Tetra EasyStrips the GH is between soft and hard, reading between 75 and 150 ppm.

I would use a complete liquid fertilizer, like Seachem's Flourish Comprehensive Supplement. Just one dose a week to start, and observe what happens. Plus some floating plants.

Your GH is OK for these plants. The Flourish will add a minimal amount of hard minerals too.

Byron.

 

[xfatdannx]

is this okay to add with a fish in the tank?

 

[Aurie]

yep you should be able to add it with your fish. I put my drops in the output of the filter so it gets pushed all around the tank

I didn't notice when I bought Excel that it was carbon. I thought it was a fert. Stupid newb mistake. Now doing comprehensive. in a 10 gallon I do about .75 ml to start once a week, then I'll up it to 2x a week then to 1 mil I'd suggest a pipette .. they're handy (the plastic dropper thingies) .. My java ferns are recovering since my mistake. Hopefully this helps someone

 

[xfatdannx]

i have a few pipettes from my model paints (unused of course) and i also have a syringe for water testing i could use as well. Thanks for the tips.

I am not going to introduce any new variables for a week at least here. i just found out my tap water has ammonia in it and then found, by testing, my Brita filter filters ammonia. So i am going to focus on getting my ammonia levels down here. I know the plants can use them to some degree but the Java grows slow and the fish's health is priority over the plant.