 injection system. However, remember that many fish are sensitive to too much carbon dioxide in the water parameters, so tread carefully.
Interestingly, the Java moss plant can cause brown leaf discoloration. That happens if the plant is allowed to grow and spread excessively so that the leaves block out the available light in the tank. Too much growth can also make the plant unstable and dislodge it from its attachment site.
The most straightforward way to prevent those problems from affecting your Java moss plant is to prune it regularly with a set of aquascaping scissors. Pay particular attention to the central area of the plant, thinning out any dense growth so that the leaves receive plenty of water flow.
Not Enough Light
Java moss will grow under medium light. However, if the plant doesn’t get enough light, it will be unable to photosynthesize, and it will begin turning brown.
So, when you plant your Java moss plants, make sure you don’t position them so that other plants are blocking out the light. In addition, be sure to leave your aquarium light on for eight to ten hours per day.
Poor Aquarium Maintenance
Poor maintenance is not good for your fish tank or its residents, including your plants. However, dirty water will boost algae growth and increase the volume of bacteria and fungi in your tank, which will cause your algae to turn brown.
Incorrect Water Temperature
Water temperature is critical when it comes to the growth, propagation, and general health of all aquatic plants, including Java moss. If the water is too warm, the plant will begin to degrade, and the color will change.
You should keep the water temperature below 86 degrees Fahrenheit, ideally between 73 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit.
Stage of Growth
Java moss does turn brown at a particular stage of its usual growth. That’s to be expected. However, after some time, the plant will return to its usual color, so you’ll need to be patient and just wait.
Of course, if you prefer, there are several other kinds of moss to consider that don’t go through a brown stage, including Christmas moss, Willow moss, and Fessenden moss.
How Do I Keep Java Moss Green?
So, how can you keep your Java moss green?
All aquatic plants need some fertilizer and essential minerals to thrive. Most plants can derive what they need from the organic waste in your fish tank and light. However, many aquarists add fertilizer to their aquarium in the form of nutrient tabs or liquid fertilizer.
But adding too much fertilizer to your fish tank can cause problems. Too much of a good thing can cause Java moss plants to grow too quickly and produce thick leaves that can even reduce nutrient absorption, ultimately causing your plants to turn brown.
As previously mentioned, too many algae growing in your aquarium can reduce the nutrients that are available in the water for your plants.
The main cause of algal growth is excessive sunlight. So, the easiest way to stop algae is to move your fish tank to a spot that’s out of direct sunlight. However, if that’s not a practical solution, you should use drapes or shades to block out the light on sunny days. Your fish tank lighting will be perfectly adequate for your aquatic plants.
Growing more plants in your fish tank can also help to crowd out algae by depriving it of the nutrients it needs.
In severe cases, you might need to remove decorations from your tank and scrub them clean of algae. Infested plant leaves can be gently cleaned to remove algae, and you can clean your tank’s viewing panes with specialized cleaning equipment, such as an algae scraper or sponge.
Finally, you could add a few algae eaters to your setup. Algae eaters include certain fish species, snails, and shrimp. These creatures not only eat algae, but they also act as a cleanup crew, eating leftover fish food, plant debris, and other organic detritus. This helps to keep your fish tank water clean and the environment tidy.
Increase Carbon Levels
Your fish naturally release carbon dioxide into the water through respiration, which is great news for your plants. However, sometimes, the