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I just set up a 20 gallon planted tank with Fluval Stratum as the substrate. My Java Fern and Anubias are struggling, leaves turning yellow. Is this substrate too acidic for them? Tank has a Nicrew light, 6 hours daily, no CO2.

Fluval Stratum is great for most plants but can lower pH. Java Fern and Anubias prefer neutral to slightly alkaline water. Test your pH and KH. If it's below 6.5, consider adding crushed coral to buffer it. How often are you dosing ferts?

fishkeeper wrote: ↑Tue Jun 03, 2025 6:42 am Fluval Stratum is great for most plants but can lower pH. Java Fern and Anubias prefer neutral to slightly alkaline water. Test your pH and KH. If it's below 6.5, consider adding crushed coral to buffer it. How often are you dosing ferts?

pH is 6.0, KH 2. I dose Thrive twice a week. Gonna try the coral, thanks!

Stratum's acidity is ideal for Carpeting plants but rough on epiphytes like yours. Coral will help, but you might also wanna attach them to driftwood or rocks instead of burying the rhizomes. What's your nitrate level? Low nitrates can also yellow leaves.

Agree with Rusty. Epiphytes hate buried rhizomes. My Anubias bounced back after I glued it to a rock. Also, 6 hours might be too little light for Java Fern. Try bumping to 8 hours if algae isn't an issue.

Yo, Stratum's dope for stems but kinda sketchy for ferns. Mine melted too till I moved 'em to sand. You got any root tabs in there? Might help if you're sticking with Stratum.

Java Fern's weird, it thrives in my tap water (pH 7.8) but dies in my softwater tank. Maybe try a small batch in a bucket with adjusted water to see if it's the substrate or something else.

boulderkid wrote: ↑Tue Jun 03, 2025 10:31 am Yo, Stratum's dope for stems but kinda sketchy for ferns. Mine melted too till I moved 'em to sand. You got any root tabs in there? Might help if you're sticking with Stratum.

Root tabs won't help epiphytes, they feed from the water column. But yeah, sand's chill for Anubias.

My tank's got Stratum too, but I only keep Crypts and Rotala. They're growing like crazy. Maybe swap the Java Fern for something that likes acidic water?

Ditch the fancy substrate, go plain gravel. Plants don't need the hype, just light and food. My Java Fern's thriving in a bucket with LED desk lamp, no joke.