Red Java Fern Update

Just to show you some updates on my Red Java fern that's been in my tank about a week now. After sending out a new shoot, one leaf has opened and is showing the redness already. I don't know how long it will last, but time will tell.

2 footer Planted Tank

Just about 25 days after set up. This is an old tank that sat at the balcony previously. Now, here it is:

Tank size : 60cm x 30cm x 30cm

Lighting system : T4 day light (6400K) = 2 x 20w

CO2 : Diy CO2
Substrate : Dirt (Clay+bake soil+Laterites+ 2 years old Daz planted  soil) capped with gravel

Plants : Microsrum pteropus, Microsorum pterous 'red', Marsilea hirsuta, Cabomba furcata, Hygrophila difformis, Ottelia alismoides, Taxiphyllum barbeiri, Taxiphyllum sp, Vesicularia dubayana, Vesicularia montagnei

Java fern "Red"

I've heard talk previously about Java fern 'Red'. What I found on the net typically said that Java fern 'Red' originally comes from Thailand; whilst Tropica, an aquatic plants supplier in Germany, also have this species in cultivation. I've seen many Java ferns growing in the wild but most of them are just the common Microsorum pteropus, but not this one! Its' leaves are a little bit narrow and longer, with a touch of redness on the tips. The size is probably about 1 to 1.5 feet long. Surprisingly, it grows vigorously even though fully exposed to sunlight, unlike many common Microsorum species where they are usually found in shade and in high humidity on the edge of streams. I spotted just two places today where these species were growing... and it was in the same stream! Here are the pics!

I put this one in my tank!

the redness is possibly because of the exposure to full sunlight

Vesicularia montagnei - Christmas moss & semi aquatic Aroids

A day out last week was had in a famous rafting and kayaking spot in Kedah. It's  a very nice cascade with very strong moving crystal clear water. This place is always busy during weekends and public holidays; there's also camping activities by the likes of groups of families and kids! Anyway, that's not what I'm about to focus on here :P  ... instead, it is my curiosity about aquatic plants growing in the area. It has been almost 4 years since I was there last, and I can say it has changed a lot!

A view from a tree-top canopy walk

Vesicularia montagnei

emersive Vesicularia montagnei

Vesicularia montagnei - Christmas moss

Christmas moss growing on wet land

Been on the lookout for Christmas moss and was pleased to find some; but my experience with keeping Christmas moss is that they take time to adjust from emersive form to submerged, probably taking about a month. Growth is a little bit slower than other moss species. The Christmas tree shape  appears to vary depending on your lights and the temperature of the water.

semi aquatic aroids

sometimes they will be submerged in the water when the level is quite high

fast moving water

Trust it is not as long as 4 years before I next revisit this area!