Java fern dying! What do I do?

[Brickosaurus]

The tank has plenty of nitrates so why do my Java ferns look like this?


I let the roots naturally bury into the gravel so the the roots aren't the problem.

I have not added any kind of fertilizer, but I've always heard that Java ferns don't necessarily need it.

The light I have isn't really dim or anything. I guess it could be a little brighter buts it's not bad.

When I first got these Java ferns there were a couple of hitchhiker grayish snails that just had a bunch of babies. Is that the problem? Or do I just need to add riot tabs or something?

Any advice would be appreciated!

 

[Brickosaurus]

riot tabs

*Root tabs

 

[Deadeye]

Java ferns aren’t supposed to be buried - the roots are supposed to be tied to wood or rock (or glued by the rhizome).

 

[Brickosaurus]

Java ferns aren’t supposed to be buried - the roots are supposed to be tied to wood or rock (or glued by the rhizome).

I tied the java fern to a small rock and the roots buried itself

 

[altums85]

Needs more nutrients probably. I don't have any luck with ferns either. My fish poop isn't enough. Everything else grows fine but the ferns.

 

[Brickosaurus]

Needs more nutrients probably. I don't have any luck with ferns either. My fish poop isn't enough. Everything else grows fine but the ferns.

Would root tabs work?

 

[Deadeye]

Maybe try the branch in the back?
I will say that mine never really flourished - but never died off either, just constant spread and new ones replacing the old ones. I know others have similar experience with them not being as hardy as advertised.
Try getting it in a dimmer area perhaps.
What lever are your nitrates at?

 

[Brickosaurus]

Maybe try the branch in the back?
I will say that mine never really flourished - but never died off either, just constant spread and new ones replacing the old ones. I know others have similar experience with them not being as hardy as advertised.
Try getting it in a dimmer area perhaps.
What lever are your nitrates at?

My nitrates have been really high. I've even had trouble keeping them under 20 ppm

 

[altums85]

Would root tabs work?

You're better off dosing nutes in the water than root tabs

 

[FJB]

Root tabs will not help Java ferns. I find they prefer some water movement, not necessarily strong, but can take strong. I would cut the bad leaves to stimulate sprouting of new leaves. However, I don’t really know what is going on.