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View Full Version : My research-Java Fern (copyright WWFA)


DemonShark
01-13-2007, 04:51 PM
Please do add here if you have seen anything cool or interesting!

Microsorum pteropus aka Java Fern Level: Easy Gravel: Any kind Light:Medium


Origin-Southeast Asia

The Java Fern is very popular and does not require lots of light or extra nutrients or CO2. This plant is great for the beginner and breeder and of course the aquaticscaper.

For the beginner:
you don't have to spend a lot of time setting up a light to go on for hours on end or getting a CO2 solution for the plants but also nutrients don't need to be added to the gravel every month or so they do require some trimming over a few months and Herbivours fish might take a few bites out of the plant.

For the Breeder:
When Breeding fish especially live bearers you must keep in mind that the parents might and probably will attack their young. The Java Plant offers protection to the young with hiding spaces in between the leaves thus the parents do not know were the young are.

For the AquaticScaper:
This plant is very adaptable and will practically grow on anything. Rock and wood it will grow on with particular ease daughter plants will arrive soon after the plant has adapted and they will float to the surface were you may then pick them up and attach them to another rock or place them on the wood or gravel.This plant might get spots when its "Burned" by too much light so please keep that in mind. This plant get tall sometimes and but it might remain small. These plants may be grown in Cold water and tropical tanks.

Java Moss: which is very easily confused with Java Fern

Vesicularia dubyana aka Java Moss

Is used for covering the subtrate of an aquarium and have the same needs as Java Fern this plant will easily take over the tank if not kept in order by trimming although when it does take control it brings in an amazing look to the aquaruim.

These plants do grow rapidly under the right conditions and our great for everyone hope everyone liked my first article!

crackatinny
01-13-2007, 04:55 PM
Can you relate the difference between java fern and java moss, I have just ordered java moss as a ground cover through my local fish shop.

By the way, what is the copyright thing, I am very wary of this on the net?

DemonShark
01-13-2007, 04:59 PM
I just dont want people to steal it thats all also I modified the first post to include diffrence with Java moss

jeffs99dime
01-13-2007, 07:57 PM
very informative thread demon shark

DemonShark
01-13-2007, 08:48 PM
Thank you also to clearify the Copyright WWFA is World Wide Fish Association my website

Incredulous_Ed
01-13-2007, 10:51 PM
nice article demonshark. I'm thinking about getting a java fern myself

DemonShark
01-14-2007, 02:55 PM
They are nice plants to have since they do bud and get daughter plants you should only get one

Drumachine09
01-14-2007, 03:21 PM
Great Job their sharky!

DemonShark
01-14-2007, 04:22 PM
Thank you again Im working on an article for Sword Plants and then Ill transfer to fish

Drumachine09
01-14-2007, 04:24 PM
Sounds li8ke a plan, keep up the good work!

Severus
01-15-2007, 05:40 AM
Very nice write up. I have read that java fern is quite hardy

DemonShark
01-15-2007, 01:19 PM
They are very Hardy indeed

jssc
04-21-2007, 06:40 PM
hi! I'm new! and in need of help!

Is a 14w red & white full spectrum lighting 6in above the aquarium's surface too much light for my java fern? I have other live plants in the aquarium so I keep the light on for about 8 hrs a day although occasionally I left it on for 12hrs because I'm back home late.

I bought my java fern a month ago. Now, about 60% of my java fern's edges are 'burnt' (One of the leaves were already burnt when I bought it) and somehow 'eaten' off after a while, leaving them looking ragged. I have a couple of unidentified snails in my tank, could they be eating those edges off? This only happens to the upper portion of the leaves' edges.

Besides that, it's still green and propagating. Is my light too intense or too long for my fern? Insights and advice are welcomed!

cocoa_pleco
04-21-2007, 06:45 PM
you could have made a new thread instead of a old one. lol



lights on for more than 12H is a bad idea, excessive algae growth forms. As for why the plant is having burnt edges, its probably from some fish eating it or a chemical. My java fern's old leaves get brown, and then new ones form.

Drumachine09
04-21-2007, 06:53 PM
hi! I'm new! and in need of help!

Is a 14w red & white full spectrum lighting 6in above the aquarium's surface too much light for my java fern? I have other live plants in the aquarium so I keep the light on for about 8 hrs a day although occasionally I left it on for 12hrs because I'm back home late.

I bought my java fern a month ago. Now, about 60% of my java fern's edges are 'burnt' (One of the leaves were already burnt when I bought it) and somehow 'eaten' off after a while, leaving them looking ragged. I have a couple of unidentified snails in my tank, could they be eating those edges off? This only happens to the upper portion of the leaves' edges.

Besides that, it's still green and propagating. Is my light too intense or too long for my fern? Insights and advice are welcomed!


How many US gallons is your tank?

jssc
04-21-2007, 07:18 PM
cocoa_pleco: got used to making a search and replying in it >.< Anyway DemonShark made a research on java fern and mentioned excessive light 'burning' the plant so I'm wondering if my aqua light's too much for the fern.

Drumachine09: it's a 5 gal. tank.

Chrona
04-21-2007, 07:22 PM
cocoa_pleco: got used to making a search and replying in it >.< Anyway DemonShark made a research on java fern and mentioned excessive light 'burning' the plant so I'm wondering if my aqua light's too much for the fern.

Drumachine09: it's a 5 gal. tank.

No, when they talk about excessive light, it means like over 4w/g in a medium-large tank

14 watts over a small tank only counts as low-medium lighting.

It sounds like either a nutrient deficiency or fish eating it

jssc
04-21-2007, 07:33 PM
Hm.. ic.. looks like another round of testing and investigating to do! thank you all for replying so quickly! do appreciate it :)

cocoa_pleco
04-21-2007, 08:59 PM
sometimes brown leaves are a sign of too much iron

DemonShark
04-22-2007, 12:22 AM
Maybe it can be iron but I suspect light as it can damage the plant.

Chrona
04-22-2007, 03:04 AM
14 watts of light damages nothing. You need very high lighting to burn java fern, and even then, it doesn't look brown, it looks transparent. And it's only the intensity that plays a factor. Longer photoperiods just means either more photosynthesis, or, if past 10-12 hours, more light for algae.

If you can post a pic, it will be easier to diagnose.

cocoa_pleco
04-22-2007, 03:11 AM
if the plant leaves are getting yellow, thats bad. that means its dying

jssc
04-24-2007, 05:45 AM
Sorry for the late reply! The leaves aren't yellow or transparent. I've attached the images. They are abit blur but I only have a 1.3mp camera phone so the macro shots are poor.

DemonShark
04-24-2007, 09:47 PM
You have algea on them. Try to get it off the plant.

Chrona
04-25-2007, 12:12 AM
The leaves look fine, but it seems you have black brush algae. Squirt some Seachem Flourish Excel directly on it (no more than the daily dose each time) with a syringe.

jssc
04-25-2007, 03:51 AM
I didn't know black brush algae could cause such damage to my fern >.< I thought algae usually just cover the plant. Thanks for the diagnosis! Will go look for that product.

DemonShark
04-25-2007, 10:28 PM
your welcome.

madmike730
01-10-2010, 06:04 PM
thank you for posting. its ver informative, i know i can use it.:)