java fern - how "low light" can you go?

maxthedog123

maxthedog123

Can't have too many Tiger Barbs...
Jun 6, 2007
604
0
16
Cincinnati, OH
I did some rearranging in my 55g tank and had a couple of clumps of java fern left over. I decided to throw some into my son's 20g that has all plastic plants.

Upon inspection, the high end light from kit I bought him has a 15w bulb. (It's an AllGlass bulb.)

Am I delusional putting the java fern in that tank? Not looking for huge growth, but I don't want it to rot either. I considered throwing some Flourish in there, but there has been some BBA and I thought that might provide more nutrients for the algae than a single java fern would take up.

Thoughts? Should I give it a go and leave it in or take it out?
 
0.75 WPG seems very low to me. Personally, I've never gone below 1.5 WPG. What would probably happen is that after several months the fern may start deteriorating and collecting algae. D:

On a side note, you might wanna consider doing some hardcore maintenance for that BBA. That bugger is deadly.
 
I've got lace java fern in a 20 with 15 watts and it grows like crazy.

it now covers a small/med piece(8") of driftwood..completely
 
I'd say throw in in too. I have it in 3 different sized tanks with low lighting and it grows best in the 20G but grows in the large tanks too. Also, wanted to mention that Flourish Excel will get rid of your bba very quickly. I was very skeptical, but tried it, dosed the tank every day for a week and it all disappeared. Has not come back and I don't use the Excel hardly ever.

Debbi:)
 
Since Starrider seemed to get it to grow in .75wpg, I will probably let the fern grown for a while in there.

I have read quite at bit about Flourish Excel killing BBA - it does work. I'll throw some of that in. My son won't be at my house this weekend - I am planning to do a major scrubbing to try to get the BBA out.

Not to go off topic on my own post, but would a bleach solution be good for the decor with BBA? What ratio of bleach:water would be good?
 
i have a java fern in a 1 gal and using room light and it grow well
 
The only lighting I've ever had java ferns not do well in is No light.
 
I have java fern doing nicely in 0.9 WPG
 
The java fern will be fine in less then one watt of light. It grows with almost no light at all.

Marinemom
 
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