6 Reasons Your Java Moss Is Turning Brown (& What To Do)
If your java moss is turning brown, then you’ve found the right article. In this article, not only will you learn all the different reasons that your java moss is turning brown, but you’ll also learn what you can do to make it healthy and green again as well!
So keep reading to find out everything you need to know!
Why Is Your Java Moss Turning Brown?
If you notice that your java moss is turning brown, then it could be due to any of the following reasons:
It’s Growing Too Thick
An Excess Of Algae
Low Carbon Dioxide Levels
Too Much Debris From Waste
Poor Fish Tank Maintenance
Inadequate Light
As you can see, there is a range of different causes, so you need to make sure you know what you’re looking for before you try to treat your java moss!
Here’s what you need to know about each cause!
It’s Growing Too Thick
One reason that java moss might be turning too brown is that it’s simply growing too fast and too thick. When this happens, and it becomes too sensitive near the center, it will be unable to absorb enough light, therefore reducing the amount it can photosynthesize, resulting in the rest of the plant turning brown.
There’s An Excess Of Algae
Another reason that your java moss may be turning brown is that there is an excess of algae growing on it. When the algae grow on your java moss, it will smother it, making it unable to photosynthesize properly, eventually causing it to turn brown.
The Carbon Dioxide Levels Are Too Low
When the carbon dioxide levels in your tank are becoming too low, this can also cause java moss to turn brown as well. CO2 is necessary for all plants to photosynthesize properly, so if there isn’t enough in the tank, it’s going to be a problem.
Not Enough Light
If your java moss isn’t getting enough light, then once again, it will struggle to photosynthesize properly and start to turn brown.
So when you’re looking at your java moss, make sure other plants aren’t blocking it, that algae aren’t growing on it, and that the light in your aquarium is strong enough. Fortunately, java moss doesn’t need particularly strong light, so just make sure you’re leaving the aquarium light on for at least 8-10 hours a day.
Java Moss Has Cleaning Properties
Did you know java moss has certain cleaning properties? And in fact, these cleaning properties could be the reason it’s starting to turn brown. As debris gets circulated around your tank, it will tend to get picked up by java moss. Once it’s picked up, if it’s not cleaned off your java moss, it can begin to cause it to turn brown.
Poor Fish Tank Maintenance
And, of course, poor fish tank maintenance is good for nothing in your tank, including java moss. Dirty water will not only increase algae growth, but it will also increase the amount of bacteria and fungus in the tank as well which can affect your java moss and turn it brown!
How To Treat Java Moss Which Is Turning Brown
Fortunately, if you catch your java moss turning brown early enough, you can treat it, reverse the problems, and get it bright and green in no time. If you want to turn your java moss green again, some of the best ways to do so include:
Limiting The Fertilizer In The Tank
Keeping Algae Growth In Check
Increasing Carbon Dioxide
Improving The Quality Of The Water
Doing each of these things are key to getting your java moss back to good health! Here’s more information about both!
Limiting Fertilizer
First of all, if you’re using too much fertilizer, it might be time to take it easy. Believe it or not, java moss doesn’t actually need much fertilizer, and adding too much to the tank can cause the java moss to become too thick. And, of course, once it’s too thick, then it’s going to be much harder for it to photosynthesize properly.
Don’t Let Algae Grow Out Of Control
You also need to make sure that you’re keeping your algae growth in check. Aside from removing algae from the java moss itself, you’ll also need to remove it from the rest of the tank as well, to make sure it doesn’t grow back.
Fortunately, removing algae from java moss is incredibly simple. You can either wrap a toothbrush around the algae like candy floss to remove it or cut the parts of your java moss that are covered in algae out.
Once you’ve done this, and the java moss can start photosynthesizing properly again, it should grow back to green in no time.
Increase The Carbon Dioxide In The Tank
If you think there isn’t enough carbon dioxide in the tank, then you should work on increasing the amount in there. Sometimes, fish alone aren’t going to be enough. When this is the case, you should start using co2 tabs to fix the issue.
Keep The Tank Clean
And, of course, you should make sure you’re keeping the tank clean as well! This means adding a filter if you don’t already have one, performing frequent water changes, removing waste and debris from the tank, and making sure the water parameters are good.
Other Tips
Some other tips that can help ensure your aquarium stay clean and your java moss turn green again include:
Keeping the pH neutral where possible or slightly acidic.
Keep the current flowing well and clean too.
Keep the water temperature between 70-75 degrees Fahrenheit where possible (where it doesn’t affect your fish).
By doing all of the above, you’re going to give your java moss the best chance of getting healthy again!
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions people have about their java moss turning brown:
Is Brown Java Moss Dying?
If your java moss is turning brown, then it’s a clear sign it’s starting to die. However, even when it’s turning brown, you’re still able to recover it and make it healthy again.
Can Brown Java Moss Turn Green Again?
Java moss that has turned brown can definitely turn green again with the right care and attention. Once you’ve removed the cause of your java moss turning brown, then it should begin to turn brown again.
Can Brown Java Moss Cause Other Aquarium Plants To Turn Brown?
As your java moss turns brown, it may start to die and decay. When this happens, it’s going to release more bacteria in the tank as well as increase the chance of algae blooms. This, in turn, can cause the other plants in the tank to turn brown too.
Can Brown Java Moss Harm Fish?
While brown java moss itself won’t harm fish, once it starts to die and decay, the ammonia levels in the tank may begin to rise, as well as the amount of bacteria. This, in turn, can weaken the immune systems of your fish and result in them getting sick.
Recap
As you can see, there are a few different reasons that your java moss has started to turn brown, but the solutions for turning it green again are incredibly simple as well!
If you liked this article, make sure you check out the rest of the website! Otherwise, have a great day!
