New To Planted Tanks---Bought A Java Fern

[Fishmanic]

I just bought a 1/2 mat Java Fern via Amazon---can I plant this in my gravel substrate?  any hints on care, dividing, fertilizer requirements, lighting or any other recommendations?
 
I heard it's one of the easiest aquarium plants to care for so I figured it's a good place to start my aquascape.  I have a 35 gallon tall hex freshwater tank that is well established and cycled and leave the flourescent light on for 12 hours a day.  I was hoping the plant would help lower my nitrate levels which have required twice weekly 50% water changes.   Nitrites and ammmonia levels are always at 0 and ph is about 7.0.
 
Any other plant recommendations for easy care low requirements for a novice.

 

[KirkyArcher]

java ferns are best grown on a root, or bogwood, or even a course stone, they can however be grown in a gravel substrate as I've done so in the past.

 

[Nikita]

Java Ferns do not specifically have any special needs, just make sure not to bury the rhizomes. Burying the rhizomes of Java Fern can kill it. Java Ferns will grow little plantlets, but you are not required to remove them. Being that your tank is a low-light set-up, I wouldn't worry about fertz or upgrading to a higher output lighting system.
 
For other easy to care low-light plants, look into Anubias, Java Moss, and some Crypts.

 

[Fishmanic]

can I partially bury the roots in the gravel substrate?

 

[TwoTankAmin]

Yes, you can bury the roots as long as the rigid part out of which they grow (the rhizome) is kept above the substrate. In case you get any anubias some day, its the same for them.

 

[Fishmanic]

this is the one I ordered---can I divide it into smaller clumps to spread them out a bit
 
 

 

[fluttermoth]

Yes, you can split it. Just cut through the rhizome and carefully pull the pieces apart. Try and make sure each piece has at least three or four leaves. Don't go mad splitting it up though; you'll soon have more than enough plants as the babies grow and split off on their own

 

[tunagirll]

Awesome Can I suggest you reduce your lighting to around 6-7 hours a day tops and add a little fertiliser to the water once a week; this will help your fern be healthy and happy without inviting algae. Merry Christmas

 

[Fishmanic]

any other type of plants that do well with low light and minimal care?
 
what brand fertilizer is recommended for my tank
 
do I need any type of CO2 addition

 

[Nikita]

With a low-light set-up you don't need to get any special fertz or C02. I wouldn't start worrying about that stuff until you have a moderate to high light set-up.
 
If you are to get any heavy root feeders (Crypts, Swords, Aponogetons) and you are not using a special plant substrate, I would recommend adding root tabs to your aquarium. These root tabs will provide the nutrients the plants need that the gravel/sand lacks.

 

[tunagirll]

For a java fern you don't need CO2 in your setup and any simple aquatic plant fertiliser will be fine. Less is more, only a tiny bit.