is it an algae?

[subramn]

Hi

i have attaches two pictures from my new tank. my doubt is it some kind of algae growing on plant or is it fine?

if its an algae how to get rid of it

[josh world]

Those look like roots on your java fern. You are getting those because you planted you java fern in the gravel. make sure you plant our java fern on wood roc or decorations. Those roots will turn into many baby plants that you don't want in your tank. The co op sells super glue for a few bucks that you can glue your plant onto. make sure you are using super glue gel because that will not harm your fish.  To answer your question that is not algae it is what your plant does under stress.

[josh world]

Java fern is a rhizome plant and if you don't glue to a peace of wood, rock, or decoration  the rhizome will rot in your water and the leaves will brown and fall apart. If you are not already dosing your tank with fertilizer I recommend you do. plants will grow better with fertilizer and you will get faster growth. 

[subramn]

@josh world Thanks Josh. can you post some examples on how to do this. and also is it the same case for valliseneria as well which i posted in another picture?

[josh world]

val is not a rhizome plant and can be planted  into substrate. I put root tabs in with my jungle val plant to make it grow better. 

[josh world]

This is a picture of java fern Windelov glued to a drift wood in one of my tanks.

[FrostiesFishes]

Looks like black hair algae to me. I’d pull the plant out and put some h202 on it. If it turns slightly red and dies off you know it was an algae. Typically when java fern is stressed out it will start sending out new little plants on the leaves. But what josh said is true you can’t bury the rhizome it will cause the plant to rot.  

[subramn]

@FrostiesFishes Thanks for your reply. how can i avoid this black algae 

after i put h202 can i plant it again or throw it away?

basic steps i can take to avoid this kind of algae. 

 

[FrostiesFishes]

I’d watch this video on using it. But You don’t have to throw the plant away. I’m by no way a planted aquarium person. But I should say I think it’s what I call hair algae but its technically staghorn algae. Typically caused by high light, and low water flow. Is the tank newish?  

 

[subramn]

@FrostiesFishes yes newish tank. light is on for 12 hours. 

[FrostiesFishes]

I’d start by backing the light at least a few hours. This will be a long term thing to figure out the balance. But that algae is fairly common in a newer tanks. 

[subramn]

@FrostiesFishes @josh world

i noticed the following on my substrate, is it some kind of algae ?

[FrostiesFishes]

What are we looking at ? 

[subramn]

substrate

[McNubbin]

I believe @subramnis referring to the white stuff growing in and on the dark substrate.

[ChefConfit]

On 11/1/2020 at 2:23 PM, josh world said:

Java fern is a rhizome plant and if you don't glue to a peace of wood, rock, or decoration  the rhizome will rot in your water and the leaves will brown and fall apart. If you are not already dosing your tank with fertilizer I recommend you do. plants will grow better with fertilizer and you will get faster growth. 

You can plant rhizome plants in the substrate. You just need to be sure not to bury the rhizome. Only put the roots in the substrate. And since we can't see the rhizome in the picture we can't be so sure that's the problem.

Java Fern will create plantlets for several reasons including new water conditions such as being placed in a new tank. Where other plants melt in a new tank Java Fern often puts off plantlets. It's a survival mechanic, when the leaf begins to die it produces babies that will hopefully survive. 

I've also found my Windelov Java Fern just produces them after awhile regardless of how the parent leaf is doing.