Why java fern thrives in one tank but not others

[Lioness]

Afternoon all,

I've got Java ferns in three tanks, and I'm stumped. Water parameters are the same across the board, lighting's identical - as much as I can tell, anyway - same schedule and intensity. Fertiliser use is consistent too.

One tank, the Java ferns are thriving. They're always bright green and healthy, constantly producing plantlets. I've included a picture below.



The other two tanks, though? Completely different story. The leaves turn black or brown and die within a couple of weeks. No plantlets, or very few. I've added some photos below.



What's going on here?

[floatie]

I've had similar issues with a couple of shoots, I think it might be due to the rhizome getting damaged when I split them. What type of fertilizer are you using, and do you have fish in any or all of your tanks?

[Giggletons]

Maybe it's the pH levels. I've noticed in my own tanks, the Java ferns do better in certain conditions. For example, I have a big tank with high pH and the ferns just don't make it, they die off quickly. On the other hand, I have a small tank with very low pH and the ferns seem to be doing okay. Not thriving like in your tank, Lioness, but they're not dying off either.

[floatie]

I've had similar issues with a couple of shoots, I think it might be due to the rhizome getting damaged when I split them. What type of fertilizer are you using, and do you have fish in any or all of your tanks?

I took another look at the pics and I think some shoots are just naturally stronger. I've got Java ferns in three tanks myself, two are doing great, one's struggling with a few leaves going dark. I've been wondering if I might've damaged the rhizome when I split it, or if I glued it down too much, starving the plant.

Giggletons mentioned pH, but mine's the same across all three tanks, 7 to 7.2. One's a 29g community tank, another's a 10g with a dwarf gourami and snails, and the last one's a 10g for plant propagation and quarantine.

[rockyfox]

I'm leaning towards thinking it's not the fertiliser, as that's the same across all three tanks, and it's not the lighting or water parameters either, since those are also identical. I do have fish in all three tanks, but the stocking levels aren't drastically different. I'm starting to wonder if it's something to do with the tank itself, or maybe even the substrate. One thing that does come to mind is that the thriving tank has a slightly different layout, with more rocks and driftwood for the Java ferns to attach to.

[rockyfox]

I've got Java ferns in a few tanks and I've noticed they often have some brown on them, but it's not usually a major issue - just the odd bad leaf every now and then.

[floatie]

The joys of fishkeeping - a hobby that starts innocently enough, with the simple goal of creating a peaceful aquarium, and yet somehow morphs into a full-blown obsession. Before you know it, you're juggling multiple tanks, and suddenly you're an expert in water chemistry, aquatic life, and plant care.

[starlord]

Java ferns rely heavily on potassium. I've noticed that when they're lacking in this nutrient, you'll often see the tips of the leaves start to die off or turn white. It's similar to when you're using iron supplements - the results can be quite rapid. In my experience, potassium and iron are the two key nutrients you need to focus on. The other essential nutrients will either come in through the food you're feeding your fish or be produced naturally through their waste.

[infold]

I've got a Java Fern setup in unlit tanks, just relying on natural light from a big north-facing window. Last year, around May or June, the morning sun would hit one of the tanks for about an hour before moving on. The Java Fern in that tank ended up dying off in the same way as yours. I've heard that changes in lighting can really affect plants, and now I'm a believer.

[landcritter]

I've had my fair share of Java fern woes, but once I finally caved and added CO2 to the mix, the difference was night and day. They're still a bit finicky, but at least they're looking healthy and green now.