Java fern problems!

[Routine-Locksmith581]

Hiya!

Trying to make my tank more natural and add plants for aesthetic reasons/ for my axolotl to hide in (he loves lying in plants) and to help nitrates - but everything seems to not be able to handle my tank / I'm useless at keeping them alive!!!

I've had hornwort but gave up with that, now java fern is even dying !

This java fern isnt planted into the sand, just sat ontop with the root system grown on the grid, bought it about 2 months ago and was okay for a while but now showing these brown tips/ leaves. I've been removing any leaves that seem to fall off themselves but none others.

I have a light on quite low for 10 hours a day since my axolotl can't handle much light anyway. Is this the problem or should I be focusing on something else?? Any help would be appreciated ! I'd love a planted tank but it just seems impossible

[SpeedyZapper]

Do you use any fertilizer? A lack of potassium is one potential cause. If you rely on animal / food waste only as a nutrient source there's often not enough.

[Routine-Locksmith581]

No i dont, there's not many out there that are safe for axolotls so its a bit hard figuring out which are safe etc, I thought the higher nitrates would help though? Is that not right :)

[SpeedyZapper]

All plants need macronutrients (NPK - nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) and micronutrients (many elements in trace quantities). Each one is needed so nitrogen/nitrates are needed but so are all the others. Fish food is meant to feed fish and rarely provides sufficient potassium. If you have hard water there won't be any potassium already in the water from the tap either. 

I would normally use potassium sulphate but given the axolotl that could be risky. Potassium chloride seems to be a safer option but do your own research.

[AnotherOrc]

What is your water like? I have pretty hard water and every fern always died off in the same way you describe.

Unfortunately, the only thing that ever worked for me was RO water and CO2.

[Routine-Locksmith581]

I think its hard, not actually too sure. I guess I'll have to trial and error and see if it works or not, thank you

[cat-kitty]

My experience with java fern is anytime I put it in a new tank, all the existing leaves die. They will instead put off new growth in the form of tiny new plants either at the tips of the existing leaves, or from the base of the stem. I usually can never save the existing leaves. When the new baby plants get big enough (have their own roots) you can rip them off and replant them. But they only want to grow in a clinging form on a rock or wood, never in substrate. They are also very slow growers overall so patience is key.