11 (us) Gallon Java Fern Tank

[akhtar2]

Hello,

I'm not new to fish keeping, and have kept fish for a few years. I'm interested in turning currently empty 11 gallon (18x12x12) tank into a planted tank, its extremely plain with a large piece of driftwood right now. The lighting for the tank is a Grolux tube 15" (14w) light. Is it possible for me to turn the tank into a java fern tank with this lighting. My water PH is 8-9 because of my areas alkaline water!

Also will i need more lighting? It seems pretty bright in there, and how many java plants would be adequate for it?

I just want a nicely planted easy maintenance planted tank, and i love the java fern and would love to have it populated with many of them.
I'd be really grateful if someone could help me out! Thanks!

Picture currently, progress pictures will be added.

Thanks!

 

[SuperColey1]

yes but use narrow fern instead of normal Java. It will look better and grow faster.

Ac

 

[akhtar2]

Hello, My LFS only seems to do the ordinary java ferns, and they are expensive online so I'm going to get the ordinary kind.

How many of the plants do you recommend for the available lighting without issues?

 

[SuperColey1]

As many as you want and will fit in.

AC

 

[Adelphie]

It might be a good idea to ensure that the water flow in your aquarium is up to scratch. Slow growing plants like java ferns are particularly susceptible to algae on the leaves, so it may be a good idea to buy an extra filter/powerhead to get the flow up. I am for 10 -12 times the volume of your aquarium per hour.

 

[akhtar2]

I currently have a fluval 2 internal filter in there. It seems pretty powerful to me, thanks for the advice.

Only have one java fern in there right now, gotta get more!

EDIT: Why would water flow have an effect on algae? Just wondering where the connection is

 

[Adelphie]

Check the sticky about algae, but basically good flow means there are less areas where filtered water can't get to. Because Java Fern is pretty dense it can cause a few of these spots and the build ups provide the conditions in which algae thrives in.