Java Fern Help

[DeanoL83]

Hi,
 
I purchased some java fern about a week ago and after reading up on it, i tied some to some driftwood and have a piece in the substrate (with the rhizome above the gravel).  However, I have begun to notice the ends and edges of some of the leaves darkening and almost going a bit transparent.  Is that bad?  What's wrong?  Any help would be appreciated.  I've attached some pics. 

 

[Blondielovesfish]

The first picture looks like it's just new growth, nothing to worry about
The second and third picture look more brown judging by the pictures which is probably a bit of decay. What lights and ferts are you using and what size is the tank?

 

[DeanoL83]

I have 2 x T8 90cm bulbs.  One is a 'sunlight' bulb and the other is a 'tropical' bulb.  As I have been home (on school holidays) the last two weeks, the lights have been on longer than normal during the day (could this be causing it???).
 
I have dosed with API 'LeafZone' once a week.  
 
The tank is 200L, 4ft long.

 

[Blondielovesfish]

Do you know how many watts the lights are?

 

[DeanoL83]

There are two different tubes:
 
1 x Aqua One T8 30w 'Sunlight' tube - 10000K
1 x Aqua One T8 30w 'Tropical' tube - pink light - doesn't give a measurement in K.
 
Description that I could find about both of them:
 
 
[SIZE=17pt]Sunlight 10000K[/SIZE]
Sunlight tubes produce a natural brilliant white light similar to that produced by the sun.
Sunlight provides the basic life cycle requirements of many aquatic animals and plants, whilst enhancing the natural beauty of your aquarium.
[SIZE=17pt]Tropical[/SIZE]
Tropical tubes are specifically designed to provide the light plants need to photosynthesise.
Converting carbon dioxide to oxygen within aquarium water is one of the key benefits of keeping live aquatic plants and a healthy aquarium.

 

[Blondielovesfish]

How many hours do you think you've been having the lights on for, roughly? 

 

[Alasse]

I dont think its light......i have java fern under high light and low light and also in a tank the lights are on 24/7. I also keep them in tanks i fertilize and tanks i dont add a thing too....
 
It could be:
 
If you havent have the fern long, it may just be adjusting to your tank conditions
 
If it is only on older leaves, it may be getting ready to spawn plantlets.
 
I wouldnt panic just yet, all in all the plants look quite healthy

 

[DeanoL83]

Thanks to both of you for the replies. I hope it's just a settling period and the plant will recover soon.

Blondie, to answer your question the lights have been on about 12 hours a day the last week or so as I've been home.

 

[Zikofski]

yep i would say the plant is melting, something most plants do when added to a new tank or enviroment

 

[Blondielovesfish]

Ah okay, was thinking that the lights could be burning the java fern.
 
But listen to the others, they know more than I do haha. 

 

[Mamashack]

It could well be settling in however I have found that they do better when moderately shaded - you could try a few floating plants to achieve this. Also the longer the lights are on the more plants will photosynthesise and use up CO2 and any ferts that may be present in the water column. Try reducing the photo period to about 8 hours and see if that helps.

 

[Alasse]

Java fern is tough as nails....it will recover regardless of what its put through. I am pretty sure i see other live plants in the tank, how are they doing?
 
My planted tanks have lights on for around 12 hours, sometimes longer if i forget to turn em off lol

 

[DeanoL83]

The other plants are doing pretty well.  The wisteria is growing like crazy and the anubias is shooting off some new leaves.  Pink baby tears growing well.  I do have some amazon frogbit floating and that's growing quickly too.  
 
Am waiting on some new plants to be delivered (likely coming tomorrow), so just wanted to check if everything was ok with the java fern before I added anything else to the tank.  
 
Thanks for all the help

 

[Alasse]

Looking forward to seeing a full tank shot with ya new plants

 

[Byron]

I would suggest you get a timer for your tank light.  All plants and fish will be better with a regular period of light/dark.  All of these, like us, have an internal circadian rhythm that is governed by light.  You can set whatever period you want, within reason, so long as there is a period of total darkness.  But having it regular will be better for all.
 
I agree this present issue is likely the adjustment to different water parameters/light.  My Java Fern has sometimes done the same when I move it from one tank to another.  I do agree with Ros and others about the light intensity for this plant; it is a low-light plant by nature, so it tends to prefer some shade such as floating plants.  I have seen what your photos show occur when the floating plant cover was opened up, so there is a relation here.  However, the other thing is that several factors play into this, such as water temperature, GH, pH, CO2 and other nutrients, and other plant species.  The response of any plant like Java Fern can vary depending upon the aquarium environment, which explains the variability issue.
 
Byron.