[fish_4_all]

Don't feel bad, I can't grow Java Fern, Java moss or any other of the "easy" plants. I can grow anubias but I think that is because I dose fairly heavily and the Nana gets lots of nutrients for growth.

Don't give up, find some more plants like your crypts, maybe some vals or other long/broad leaf plants and see how they do for you.

 

[fish_4_all]

I don't think there is a tab on the market that contains useable carbon. The only source I know of is Flourish Excel.

When you say hard water what are the numbers? My water is basically as soft as it gets. Nothing in it except chlorine. I have to add Calcium, Mg and I use crushed coral for my KH. My normal numbers are 8-9 dGH and 6-7 dKH. Ph is 7.2-7.4 all on it's own.

I have long believed, in the 5 months i have had my anubias Nana that the roots are much more important than one might think. Maybe both of you need to do a really good root trimming, remove the older leaves and let it be for a good month to see if the root start to come back and the leaves start to develope better.

Another thing I have observed is that my Nana does not like to have any competition or shading. I know this goes against the normal thinking process but it has worked very for me. I have also found that having Excel on hand and squirting it directly on the leaves that have a little algae will get rid of pretty much any and all types of algae it might have, even green spot algae.

Remember though this has worked for me and I have been told I am unconventional in a lot of ways when it comes to plants but it does work so it might be worth a try.

 

[fish_4_all]

That looks the analysis we had in Eastern Washington when on well watter filter by badrock and sand. I think you may be right about the nitrates seeing they are lower than some of the others. It may just be a matter of finding what is lacking, and in most cases of slow orstagnant growth, it is nitrates or lighting. Maybe dose a little nitrates and see if it helps but the fert stick might be just the trick.

 

[fish_4_all]

What types of crypts are the Jones? Maybe that will help all around here.

I have an Anubias Nana and An Afzellii although the alfzellii is very new and only just recently moved to the tank with the Nana. Will have to see how it reacts and if it grows as well as the Nana or not.

 

[fish_4_all]

why does this plant do so well when other plant species that are supposed to be easy fail the waters a little on the hard side is that the reson?i have 4 types of crypt all doing well ive even had flowers and i pulled some up to move them and the roots were a good foot long but i cant get java ferns or anubis to grow any ideas?

Daisy, what is the exact location of that plant in your tank? It looks like a calm spot that doesn't get much current and also looks like the roots may have access to the area under those structures. It could be very useful to know the position compared to the filter outflow, the structures and if they are more or less left alone. Could be an indicator of conditions the plant really likes and may indicate that you may only have to move different plants to different locations so they have as close to ideal conditions as there can be for that species.

 

[fish_4_all]

It looks like a really nice setup. Also looks like the plant is getting some lower water flow and that might be helping it.

I am wondering why you are running carbon in the other filter? The carbon could be removing a lot of the nutrients the other plants need and could be why the others are struggling. I do realize carbon helps to keep a tank clean and clear but with good growth the plants will do this for you.

 

[fish_4_all]

What kind of filter is it? If it can have the standard foam blocks like an Aquaclear then you can leave them and just rinse them in tank water during a water change.