Java fern

Cognition · Joined: 14 Oct 2009 Location: Kentucky

basically i wanna add java fern to my mbuna tank, but i really dont wanna deal with adding feralizer and such. Are the additives needed for just 1 plant? and does it matter to the plant if its drift wood or a rock? i dont currently have driftwood, but would add a peice in hopes of a lush green center peice.

Thanks in advance

Cognition · Joined: 14 Oct 2009 Location: Kentucky

i forgot to mention i have a 2-bulb shop light with 6500/actinic bulbs

gtphale · Joined: 12 Oct 2008 Location: Plano,IL

I don't use ferts. How many gallons is your tank? Your going to want atleast 1 watt per gallon and even then the java fern won't take off with you. You really want to aim for 1.5 watts per gallon with the java fern.

Isis24 · Joined: 10 Dec 2008 Location: Virginia

For java fern, no need for fertilizer, especially with low lighting. Also, it does surprisingly well with low lighting. I have java fern in almost all my tanks, and the lowest light I've kept it in is .8 watts per gallon. It does better there than in my other tanks!

Cognition · Joined: 14 Oct 2009 Location: Kentucky

its a 75g, and i have 40 watts of full spectrum, but i have a 36 watt fixture and bulb i can add, or even replace the actinic(dont really want to) with another full spectrum bulb, witch would bring it between 76 to 116 total watts... im just guessing the actinic bulb does absolutely nothing for freshwater plants