Whats The Deal With Java Fern And Too Much Light

[steadyb]

i have a planted tank, ~18G, and the closest plants to my 3x20W T8's are my ferns (about few inches from the surface). Their large bunches in rockwool which i stuffed directly in loops in driftwood to hold them. they where great for a while but now are showing signs of necrosis on one and browning on the other.

Ive heard people postulate that they can have too much light. sounds unusual to me?!

there also on the opposite side to the filter outlet and are in relatively calm water.

i fert with trace and phosphate etc. aim for standard PPM on nitrate etc.

total noob not getting the fern to grow.....

any ideas?

thx

 

[RadaR]

Rockwool preventing proper water circulation around the rhizome might do it. Especially seeing as they are on the other side of the tank to the filter.
Too much light - it's only ever too much light if all the other factors (C02, nutrients, flow) aren't up to par with the lighting. That would mostly result in algae and for the java fern to not grow as quickly and show sign deficiencies.

 

[steadyb]

thx again radar. btw got the new nutrafin co2 diffuser and drop checker running..... you cant do without it.

thing are looking up on the algae farm

 

[SuperColey1]

Radar is right 20WPG would not be 'too much light' however the more the light the less margin for error with dosing and CO2. The amount of light you have you need pressurised not yeast setups.

My Philippine Java Fern pokes its leaves out of the surface, the needle leaves are approx 2 inches below the surface.

You need to go pressurised I'm afraid otherwise drop the lighting wattage down.

Oh and never leave the rockwool in the tank. Carefully seperate it from the rhizomes and roots and then if you still want to you can wedge the rhixomes in crevices or place a stone/pebble on top of them until they attach.


AC