Who Gives A Fish Forums

I'm setting up a new 20 gallon planted tank and can't decide between Java fern or water wisteria. Which one's easier to keep alive with low tech lighting and no CO2? My substrate is just sand, and I've got a basic LED light running 6 hours a day.

Java fern's gonna be your best bet if you're keeping it simple. It's chill with low light and doesn't need much fuss. Water wisteria grows faster but might get leggy without enough light. I've had both in my 30 gallon, and the fern just vibes better with basic setups.

Water wisteria is more versatile in my experience. It can grow rooted or floating, and it's great for soaking up nitrates. If you're worried about lighting, just trim it regularly to keep it bushy. Java fern is sturdy, but it grows slower, so if you want quick coverage, wisteria's the way to go.

tiger9 wrote: ↑Mon Aug 18, 2025 5:43 pm Java fern's gonna be your best bet if you're keeping it simple. It's chill with low light and doesn't need much fuss. Water wisteria grows faster but might get leggy without enough light. I've had both in my 30 gallon, and the fern just vibes better with basic setups.

I agree with this. My Java fern's been thriving in a 10 gallon with just sand and a cheap LED. No CO2, no ferts, and it's still putting out new leaves.

I've had both, and water wisteria melted on me when I tried low tech. Java fern stayed solid, even when I messed with the light schedule. If you're not running CO2, I'd stick with the fern. Less headache in the long run.

Water wisteria can be a nitrate sponge, which is handy if you're dealing with high bioload. But Java fern's hard to kill. It's all about what you prioritize—fast growth or low maintenance. My 40 gallon has both, and the wisteria needs trimming weekly, while the fern just exists.

Java fern's like the old reliable of planted tanks. It won't wow you with growth, but it won't bail on you either. Water wisteria's fun if you like to tinker, but it's a bit more high-maintenance. My vote's for the fern unless you're up for the challenge.

I'm new to plants, and my Java fern's doing okay in low light. Water wisteria sounds cool, but I don't wanna deal with trimming all the time. Maybe I'll stick with the fern for now.

Thanks for the input, everyone. Sounds like Java fern's the safer choice for my setup. I'll give it a shot and maybe experiment with wisteria later if I feel adventurous.

Flowdeep wrote: ↑Tue Aug 19, 2025 12:43 am Thanks for the input, everyone. Sounds like Java fern's the safer choice for my setup. I'll give it a shot and maybe experiment with wisteria later if I feel adventurous.

Good call. Start simple, then branch out once you're comfortable. Let us know how it goes!