GrahamC Posted June 6, 2012 Report Share Posted June 6, 2012 My Java ferns have started to die off leaving just the rhizome behind. These are tethered to drift wood. I had a bunch that was free floating and I moved it to a different tank in case it were some type of nutritional deficiency but it has just continued. Even the plantlets at the leaf tips died off. Nitrates are high so nitrate deficiency is not this causing it. PH neutral. No idea on magnesium or iron. I do have a bad case of BBA in the original tank and wonder if this might be causing it by smothering the roots. I have started tonight dosing with API Algaefix to see if I can clear the BBA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sophia Posted June 6, 2012 Report Share Posted June 6, 2012 I have had mixed success with java fern. Some people have alluded to the fact that it died because I kept it out of the water for too long during tying it to wood etc, but stuff I haven't done any harm to haven't survived either. The stuff in my CPD tank does really well, but not bolbitis or windelov. The stuff in my loach tank is looking rather sad. Now I just stick with the ones that do well, plain java fern and narrow leaf. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cricketman Posted June 6, 2012 Report Share Posted June 6, 2012 Java fern has always done better under low-light conditions for me, and died off when it got too intense... :dunno: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrahamC Posted June 6, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 6, 2012 My ordinary java fern died off and now the windelov is doing the same. But in other tanks it is doing fine. Let's see if algae treatment helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amtiskaw Posted June 7, 2012 Report Share Posted June 7, 2012 How much light do you have in this tank? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrahamC Posted June 7, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 7, 2012 The tank is right next to a window. My understanding is that java fern does well in low light but can do even better in bright light. So, it was growing well in summer but now in winter it seems to be dying. I only use artificial lighting for a few hours in the evening. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sophia Posted June 7, 2012 Report Share Posted June 7, 2012 I doubt the algae treatment will have any effect. Once the leaf starts to go brown it's had it and you might as well cut if off. A new one will grow from the stumpy bit later. IF you have not displeased the fern gods that is..... :roll: one never knows Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrahamC Posted June 7, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 7, 2012 I noticed I had BBA around the roots and wondered if that were causing the issues hence the use of algae cide. I have read that the fern can regrow from the rhizome if it is intact. At present only 10% of the plant is affected so I would like to stop it spreading. I shall make an offering tonight to Haumia-tiketike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squirt Posted June 7, 2012 Report Share Posted June 7, 2012 Is the tank heated? Starting to get a bit cool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrahamC Posted June 7, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 7, 2012 Yes, runs at 24 deg C Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cricketman Posted June 7, 2012 Report Share Posted June 7, 2012 http://badmanstropicalfish.com/plant_problems.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted June 7, 2012 Report Share Posted June 7, 2012 Try flourish excel for the BBA and not an algae fix. As far as the Java Fern goes - if it's store bought, its grown emersed and will grow back, but post a pic so we can see what's actually going on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FraserNZ Posted June 7, 2012 Report Share Posted June 7, 2012 I have a love hate relationship with Java Fern, I have a really nice Java Plant that is pretty big. It seems to completely die off once a year, goes completely black, then a few months latter it springs back turns green again and starts to flourish?! (running in a high tech tank with ferts and co2) :dunno: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrahamC Posted June 7, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 7, 2012 Heh. Provoked a 30% water change now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrahamC Posted June 7, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 7, 2012 I've read that flourish excel will also kill off the java fern. Mine were bought off trademe and were pulled from the tank immersed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted June 7, 2012 Report Share Posted June 7, 2012 I've read that flourish excel will also kill off the java fern. It won't unless you put a massive load in - at which point killing the plants is probably going to be the last thing on your mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrahamC Posted June 7, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 7, 2012 The left plant is the windelov which parts of it are turning brown from the tip inwards. Other leaves are dark at the tips indicating new growth. The middle shows what's left of the ordinary java fern and that seems to be some new growth from the rhizome. In the background and elsewhere you can see BBA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomGilberg Posted June 7, 2012 Report Share Posted June 7, 2012 same thing happened to mine! so frustrating! gah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
si_sphinx Posted June 7, 2012 Report Share Posted June 7, 2012 My ferns are under more than enough light and grow very well. Only time I get leaves dying is when algae starts to grow on them. I just cut the leaf off and a new one grows back within a week. Never have BBA on the roots though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrahamC Posted June 7, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 7, 2012 That's why I was wondering if the BBA is doing this since some leaves are healthy and others dying back. My ordinary fern died from from the root but this one seems to be dying back from the tips. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dachende Posted June 7, 2012 Report Share Posted June 7, 2012 If it were me, I would remove the dead and dying leaves since they are no longer contributing nutrients for the plant and will just decompose and improve the habitat for BBA. My experience is that as long as the rhizome is not badly damaged new leaves will begin to grow from a healthy rhizome in 2 - 3 weeks. So trim that puppy back as much as you have to, to remove dying / dead plant matter. I have also read that alot of people have issues when combining flourish excel & Java fern - perhaps this is a case ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sophia Posted June 7, 2012 Report Share Posted June 7, 2012 never had BBA in my tank but I did take the plants out of the water viewtopic.php?f=4&t=55359&start=30 viewtopic.php?f=2&t=47747&hilit=windelov Ice222 doesn't have BBA viewtopic.php?f=2&t=55373&hilit=windelov Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrahamC Posted June 7, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 7, 2012 I've never used any nutrients, maybe I have to! I think it's lights out for this tank ... 72 hours. I guess the fish will be okay in the dark for a few days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cricketman Posted June 7, 2012 Report Share Posted June 7, 2012 I have also read that alot of people have issues when combining flourish excel & Java fern - perhaps this is a case ? Used for ages, never had a problem... Looking at the photo, I don't think that there is anything major going on, looks just like nutrient deficiency to me. Excel it and see how that goes... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted June 7, 2012 Report Share Posted June 7, 2012 I have had Java fern for years and it seems to go in cycles like this, looking brilliant then suddenly dying off. It does come away again eventually. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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