Thai fern. Ideal for those who cannot devote much time to the aquarium

For aquarium enthusiasts looking to add a lovely, low-maintenance accent to their tank, the Thai fern is the ideal plant. Its delicate, lace-like leaves give an air of refinement and turn any aquarium into a verdant haven.

This resilient plant is a great option for novices or people with hectic schedules because it grows well in a variety of water conditions. The Thai fern will continue to grow and thrive with little work on your part, even if you are unable to dedicate a lot of time to maintaining your aquarium.

The Thai fern is an excellent choice for anyone wishing to improve their aquarium without having to deal with continuous maintenance, as it can flourish in a variety of lighting conditions and temperatures.

The Thai fern adds lush greenery to your aquarium with little maintenance, making it an excellent choice for busy aquarium owners. For those who want a gorgeous aquarium without the hassle, this hardy plant is perfect because it can grow without constant care and thrives in low light.

Distribution

Microsorum pteropus is native to Malaysia, Thailand, parts of northern India, and certain areas of China.

The Java fern or Java fern is a more common name for the Thai fern in Europe and America.

This is because the Indonesian island of Java is another location where it is distributed.

Its root system allows it to cling to rocks, tree trunks, and other surfaces in the natural world. Occasionally, a plant will be fully submerged in the substrate.

Because of its weed-like growth, this fern’s ideal growing environments lack obvious indicators of water quality, light levels, and flow. Certain fern species are naturally found near rivers, streams, and waterfalls in tropical forests.

Growing and care

Many Microsorum pteropus varieties require very little maintenance. There have been instances where plants have thrived in water with less than perfect conditions and with little light. There are some regulations, though, that are important to follow.

The absence of suspended organic particles in the water is one of the prerequisites for keeping Thai fern in an aquarium. You can’t often catch fish or transplant plants because you wouldn’t want to disturb the plant. adversely impact the plant’s growth as well:

the presence of fish in the aquarium that dig the soil;

strong water flow.

Thai fern leaves that turn brown or become translucent are probably dying and should be clipped.

At the same time, if the surface of the leaves is covered with brown and black growths, this may not be a sign of disease. This is what the buds with which the plant reproduces may look like. The presence or absence of optimal conditions affects the growth rate of Microsorum pteropus.

An unpretentious plant in a less than ideally arranged environment will only develop more slowly. All other things being equal, the presence of special lighting and additional fertilizers, as well as enrichment of water with carbon dioxide, will contribute to faster development of an aquarium tropical plant.

Water parameters for ideal maintenance

Even though Microsorum pteropus can occasionally thrive in environments with a rapid water flow, the aquarium needs to be kept in an environment more akin to old water. It’s critical to pay attention to the following parameters:

permissible temperature values ​​are from 15ºС to 28ºС, the ideal value is 24ºС;

acid-base balance indicators are 5.5-7;

water hardness in German degrees is no higher than 6.

It is not necessary to change the water in an aquarium containing a Thai fern frequently. It can replace about one-half or one-sixth of the liquid volume. It is advised to perform the process a few times every month.

A characteristic of Microsorum pteropus is intriguing. It can adjust to living in water that is slightly salted. The salt content shouldn’t be higher than 1.009 ppm for this. After becoming acclimated, the plant can metabolize a small amount of salt and grows normally.

Lighting requirements

An aquarium containing Microsorum pteropus can have both strong and moderate lighting.

Normal, stable growth requires light, though a plant can tolerate being without it for extended periods of time.

It wouldn’t be unnecessary to have soft, natural lighting.

• If it is not possible to purchase a fluorescent lamp, a standard incandescent lamp will do. The optimal length of daylight for the Thai fern is about 12 hours.
• If Microsorum pteropus is in the same aquarium with other types of plants, the power and other lighting features are adjusted to more demanding "residents".

• Although most aquarium plants require as much light as possible to grow, the Thai fern may respond to this by developing transparent or brown leaves.
• In this case, you will need to reduce the intensity of the lighting. Then you need to gradually "accustom" the plant to intense lighting, gradually adding the power of the lighting device or adjusting the spectral radiation indicators.

Requirements for soil, nutrient substrate

There are no particular requirements for the soil’s quality when cultivating Thai fern. There is no fixing this plant to the bottom. It typically grows on stones or snags and uses its root system to cling to them.

Since the fern only needs silt on the bottom, any substrate can be used in the aquarium. The rhizome of Microsorum pteropus is always above the ground.

A plant will either die or grow more slowly if its root system is covered in soil.

Demanding of fertilizers

It is beneficial to add mineral fertilizers to the water for microsorum. Firstly, the following points are crucial:

fertilizers with microelements – it is enough to pour in minimal doses from 1 to 2 times a month;

nitrogen-containing fertilizer – it is mainly recommended to add urea two or three times a month in the amount of 1 or 2 granules per 100 liters of water.

What constitutes a quality mineral fertilizer is:

• phosphorus;
• manganese;
• iron;
• molybdenum;

Verifying that the fertilizer is safe for all aquarium life forms would not be unnecessary.

Since the plant lacks "true roots," using root fertilizers in tablets is pointless. It gets most of its nutrition from the water itself. The fern will grow more quickly thanks to CO2 nutrition.

Reproduction

It reproduces only vegetatively in an aquarium. The plant’s root system is separated into sections, each of which needs to have two to three leaves at minimum. Every segment that has been divided has the potential to become a complete plant in the future.

Buds can also be used by Thai ferns to multiply. The latter are created at the margins of withering foliage. Then a new plant emerges from the bud. A new sprout emerges from the aquarium’s surface when the adult leaves die. The plant sinks to the bottom and is stabilized by the roots that grow when it starts to grow its own root system.

For those seeking a low-maintenance plant that can still bring beauty and vitality to an aquarium, the Thai fern is an excellent option. Because of its resilience and versatility, it’s a great choice for novices and people with hectic schedules.

This plant can withstand a wide range of conditions, so whether you’re an experienced aquarist or a novice, it will always keep your aquarium looking vibrant without requiring constant care.

By selecting Thai fern, you can easily reap the rewards of a verdant, lush underwater scenery, transforming your aquarium into a tranquil, stress-free haven.

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