African fern question.

[STEVIE]

Is this plant,bolbitus,actually an aquatic fern?
It's not cheap to buy and is sold with lush growth attached to wood or rocks rather like Java fern.
Myself and several others have all tried growing it with no luck.It seems to do well initially but gradually fades.
If anyone has had any success please reply as either we are all doing something wrong or this fern just doesn't grow submerged.

 

[George Farmer]

I understand it is quite a difficult plant to grow submerged unless you have plenty of CO2 and soft water.

http/www.tropica.dk/productcard_1.asp?id=006

 

[TwoTankAmin]

I have had african fern doing well in several tanks for a few years- it all started from one intital purchase. It is in mostly lower light tanks as it is an algae magnet in higher light levels. My water params are pH 7.4, gh 6dg and kh 5dg. This plant loves to grow where there is current and seems to do best that way. I have some huge clumps on rock and wood.

I find the asian bolbitus to be a much more difficult plant to grow in my tanks.

 

[superjalami30]

Here, where I live I can get a 25-30cm high bolbitus for 3 dollars.
So, I bought one for my goldie tank, and its flourishing!.
I actually dont think its a very attractive plant, but I thought what the hey!

Yea, keep in in a current.


I dont add C02 in gas form, but I have started to add excel, we'll see what happens.

 

[STEVIE]

Ahh so it must be me then. )
I'll get another plant and try again placing it in the filter current.Thanks for the tips.