The Java fern is considered an easy plant to cultivate in aquariums. One that doesn't cause any worries even for beginners. This suggests that their care instructions do not contain any major challenges in the small details. Let's take a closer look.
How do you care for a Java fern in the aquarium?
Java fern care includes an ideal water temperature of 20-25°C, medium to hard water, regular tying of the plant on stones or roots, a shady or semi-shady light supply and occasional iron fertilization. Old leaves should be removed.
Provide an ideal water environment
Allow the Java fern to feel comfortable in your home. Then it appears he althy and growing in bright green.
- provide ideal water temperature
- from 20 to 25 degrees Celsius
- note degree of hardness
- medium hard or hard area is optimal
If the ideal temperature values cannot be maintained, this does not mean the end of this aquatic plant. The Java fern is surprisingly tolerant in this regard.
Tip
The Java fern constantly needs a good supply of CO2 (€5.00 on Amazon). The easiest way to achieve this is to regularly change some of the water.
Untie
You should not plant a Java fern in sand or gravel at the bottom of the tank. The rhizome, which grows laterally, cannot tolerate being buried and must instead be surrounded by water.
Therefore, the first step in care is the so-called tying up of a newly acquired plant. If you propagate Java ferns from small offshoots, they will also need to be tied up in due course.
Place the Java fern on a stone, root or similar and tie it to it with fishing line or sewing thread until it can hold on with its own roots. The yarn can then be removed again so as not to disturb the look.
Light supply
A lamp in the aquarium provides light to the plants living in it. The Java fern also needs light, but it doesn't like it too bright. That's why it needs to be placed in a shady or at least partially shady area.
Fertilize
No special fertilizer is necessary, occasional iron doses are sufficient. If there is too little of this element, black spots appear on the leaves. Then the undersupply must be compensated for with new fertilizer.
If the small black spots are round and have a diameter of around 2mm, they could be spore beds.
Cleaning Java fern
Leaves age and die. They then have no place in a well-maintained aquarium. Remove them from the water as soon as possible
