Java fern issues

I have only had my aquarium set up since January but I did a full fishless cycle. I feel like everything is thriving and pictures can be seen on my 20 Gallon build thread. However! I see other hobbyists with full "patches" of Java Fern. Taller and wider than my own. I know it's still early but I trimmed the original leaves after they reproduced because of brown spots. The new leaves were growing nicley with no black or brown spots.

Unfortunately, today I noticed that some of the newer leaf growth which is still on the smaller side is showing brown spots and reproducing baby ferns. How do I get these to get larger before they start forming new life? Even better, what is causing the brown/dark spots?

I don't have Co2 but I did just buy co op co2. I put fertilizer tabs in for the root plants and dose liquid fertz for the Java Fern.

Maybe the stock LED lights are junk?

 

Hi mrjohn,
Java Fern is a name given to multiple leaf shaped plants. At least half a dozen I can think of off the top of my head. You can’t change the size of the leaf much . Brown spots are normal,and so is little plants growing on the older leaves. The giant leaf variety that you might be thinking of grows very big .Possibly to tall for a 20 gallon? But buy some and see how it grows in your water under your lights. A small variation between tanks this to be expected.

 

Hi mrjohn,
Java Fern is a name given to multiple leaf shaped plants. At least half a dozen I can think of off the top of my head. You can’t change the size of the leaf much . Brown spots are normal,and so is little plants growing on the older leaves. The giant leaf variety that you might be thinking of grows very big .Possibly to tall for a 20 gallon? But buy some and see how it grows in your water under your lights. A small variation between tanks this to be expected.

Ok. So maybe I got a dwarf variation when I placed the order? I don't mind at all. I just want to make sure they are healthy and that they are not producing baby fern because of stress, water conditions, lighting, or lack of co2.

 

Are the roots ON wood or rocks up out of the substrate?Not in the substrate.
At 3 months it’s still likely the plants are adjusting to the stress of moving and new water.
But growing is growing enjoy what you have. Buy a few more varieties.
That is a narrow leaf java fern at the back of my profile picture I just realised.

 

The Java Fern is attached to Cholla wood. The rhizome is above the substrate. They do have extended roots that haven't attached to anything else though. Just sort of floating in the current. I think they're great and honestly it will work out if they are of a smaller variety because the Amazon Swords behind them are larger. Sort of makes a leveling effect. If they're reproducing than I can only assume that they're healthy. Well..maybe...