Please advice why Japonica keeps melting down

**Stormz** · 18th May 2011, 10:59

I'm keeping some Japonica as background plants for my one feet scaping but they keep melting down, lighting is 4w led switching on around 8 hours daily, filtration is 200L / H but not sure why does it melts away. Growing thinner by the day even with base fert, so was thinking to get some advice on how to maintain it or should I just change to other plants?

I was thinking to get some other types which will look not too long something to cover the backspace of around 5 to 6 inch height, anyone have any recommendations for long leafs to looks nicer? Just hoping them to grow and last longer, oh I'm not running any chiller the temperature is about 29.5 daily.

**eviltrain** · 18th May 2011, 11:10

besides CO2, you will still need cool temperature ( around 27 degree ) for the Japonica to grow well. good luck

**Stormz** · 18th May 2011, 11:23

Originally Posted by eviltrain

besides CO2, you will still need cool temperature ( around 27 degree ) for the Japonica to grow well. good luck

Bro eviltrain, I'm not using CO2 for the tank, is there any other plants that you would recommend to replace Japonica in order to achieve the effect for the background?

**eviltrain** · 18th May 2011, 11:29

if you wants, you can try mini java fern tied on thin driftwood and place at the back. its less demanding and more hardy.

**Stormz** · 18th May 2011, 11:33

Originally Posted by eviltrain

if you wants, you can try mini java fern tied on thin driftwood and place at the back. its less demanding and more hardy.

Thanks for the kind advise, is there other plants that will have the slim effect other then using mini java fern as I wanted a grassy look, the front is planted with tennules which is doing quite well for now.

**limz_777** · 18th May 2011, 15:56

Dwarf sags can grow quite high , same grassy effect

**felix_fx2** · 26th May 2011, 02:53

4w led. Not enough for japonica.
1 led Cree?

**felix_fx2** · 26th May 2011, 02:57

Originally Posted by Stormz

Thanks for the kind advise, is there other plants that will have the slim effect other then using mini java fern as I wanted a grassy look, the front is planted with tennules which is doing quite well for now.

By any chance you tank has some indirect light. tennules can survive on good indirect light coupled with your led. Think needle leaf fern will more fitting. Go google for picture

**KeIgO86** · 5th Jun 2011, 00:40

Don't know how much light output 4w of LED translates to, but I managed to sucessfully grow blyxia japonica with GEX and 16w of T5 lighting in a 36x24x26cm tank. No CO2 or chiller. Takes about 1 - 2 months before it fully acclimatizes and begin to grow though.

**David Moses Heng** · 5th Jun 2011, 09:19

how old is your tank and what substrate are you using?

**KeIgO86** · 5th Jun 2011, 22:35

Originally Posted by Altum_lover76

how old is your tank and what substrate are you using?

If its me you're asking, it was a brand new start up. With GEX dark green packet substrate. The only thing "old" is the filter media which i left to sit in an established tank for a month.

However, the japonica I have was growing quite well in my established tank before I transferred it over to the new tank.

**Fishy Business** · 8th Jun 2011, 02:38

Originally Posted by Stormz

I'm keeping some Japonica as background plants for my one feet scaping but they keep melting down, lighting is 4w led switching on around 8 hours daily, filtration is 200L / H but not sure why does it melts away. Growing thinner by the day even with base fert, so was thinking to get some advice on how to maintain it or should I just change to other plants?

I was thinking to get some other types which will look not too long something to cover the backspace of around 5 to 6 inch height, anyone have any recommendations for long leafs to looks nicer? Just hoping them to grow and last longer, oh I'm not running any chiller the temperature is about 29.5 daily.

Hello Bro Stormz.

Why not try adding some KH powder? it helps if you have plants like japonica.

Best regards