java fern

[TrashmanNYC]

im planning on adding some java fern to my 75g mbuna tank.....it has about 100-125lbs of holey rock in it along with yellow labs, demasoni, acei, and lab trewase ob's along with some abn's........whats the best way to go about it, tie it to the rocks?

Thanks,
Robb

[nyc2tanks]

There are three types of plants I can recommend for a mbuna tank. Java fern is definitely one of them, along with anubias and vallisneria.

The java fern comes in individual plants and in a 3 x 5 mat which I highly recommend over the individual plants.

Just tie the java fern onto rocks or driftwood. Do NOT plant the java fern under the gravel.

For tieing the plants down, I recommend thin fishing line instead of thread. The thread deteriorates over time, the fishing line will not. The thin fishing line is nearly invisible.

It is really hit of miss with mbuna, sometimes they will leave these plants alone, sometimes they will chew on them. That is why I recommend getting larger plants such as a mat so that the plants can take a little pounding but still have planty of healthy growth.

[TrashmanNYC]

Thanks, i picked up some java fern today.....it really added some "life" to the tank..........how long should i leave the light on per day?

[nyc2tanks]

Java Fern does not require excessive lighting as it is a slow grower. The same light on / off schedule you keep for the fish should suffice.

[TrashmanNYC]

Thanks.......

[msjinkzd]

I will often use sewing thread (green or brown/black) instead of the fishing line. It does degrade over time but not until the fern has usually rooted to the wood/stone/etc. I keep my lights on for 10-12 hours in tanks wiht plants.

[dbondi]

can someone post a picture of their mbuna tank with plants?

[TrashmanNYC]

can someone post a picture of their mbuna tank with plants?

ill take one later.......

[fischfan13]

can someone post a picture of their mbuna tank with plants?

These are two older pics of mine.
Currently my planted Mbuna tank is looking its best, but the camera is not owrking.


http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y216/Fischfan13/100_0515.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y216/Fischfan13/100_0104.jpg

[TrashmanNYC]

can someone post a picture of their mbuna tank with plants?
http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/4648/img3705b.jpg
http://img190.imageshack.us/img190/762/img3706y.jpg

[Greenhacker]

I don't have Mbuna, but I know that you can go about as crazy as you want. Here is a couple of posts that I have found in the past. This tank belongs to a guy out in Colorado named Travis. I used to do some planted cichlid presentations for the MCA and he was a huge inspiration to a lot of our members. I have several other shots from his tanks and they are all crazy and beautiful.

http://dump.fibervault.com/Tank_230807_01_x1024.jpg

[Longstocking]

stunning is the only word for it !