Marimo/Moss Balls help!

by **Kamaljot** on Wed Oct 13, 2010 5:52 pm

I found my perfect set up, I love the marimo balls !
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzYLnTACPME
I want to the exact set up iwagumi style!

How do you flatten the marimo/moss balls?

Are they easy to care for?

I heard they float?

How do you create the carpet?

Can you chop them in half?

Thanks

Sorry for so many questions Very Happy

by **silverrabbit** on Wed Oct 13, 2010 6:25 pm

Moss balls are SO easy to care for. They are fine in low light, though sometimes will get brown spots so it's better to have some good light each day.

They float initially because if you buy them from the net they will be dried. Once they soak in your tank for a while just squeeze the air out of them and they'll sink.

I have a couple chopped in half in my betta sections and that is how you will get them to lay flat - cut them and spread them out.

Have no idea about how to make the carpet, except that maybe you have to attach the moss balls to the moss carpet mesh that i've seen on ebay

by **Kamaljot** on Thu Oct 14, 2010 7:27 pm

Thank you for answering!

by **silverrabbit** on Fri Oct 15, 2010 7:57 pm

No probs, hope it helped

by **cowboy** on Mon Oct 18, 2010 10:03 am

Hi, have you got any info on using cut up moss balls for a carpet effect? Sounds really interesting..

by **2tall** on Mon Oct 18, 2010 2:24 pm

I've heard you spread it between two sheets of plastic mesh. If memory serves me right you grow in a separate tank. Someone will know for sure.

by **Kamaljot** on Mon Oct 18, 2010 2:51 pm

Or you can just get java moss and put it between sheets of plastic mesh or you can do what I am doing which is just flatten the marimo balls or cut them in half and place them close to each other to form a carpet..

by **incognito** on Fri Nov 05, 2010 11:26 pm

marino balls are too slow growing to waste time on two layers of mesh... better off cutting in half, spread it as flat as you can then sew it down ( random tie down/knots are best) to one bit of mesh (weighted) it will look neater and you can snip it to whatever shape you want to create... easy way to aquascape a lawn with a meandering pathway etc.

java works well between mesh sheets but doesn't give the 'instant' effect

by **Kamaljot** on Sat Nov 06, 2010 8:15 am

Thats why didnt go for java moss becuase it takes AGES to grow..

by **Mutsu** on Sat Nov 06, 2010 12:05 pm

What's in the middle of moss balls? Always wondered about that because they feel so firm.

by **kizno1** on Sat Nov 06, 2010 1:26 pm

Mutsu wrote:What's in the middle of moss balls? Always wondered about that because they feel so firm.

Nothing as far as i know. None of mine have anything in the middle there just hollow but they do feel quite solid when you take them out of water and squeeze them.

by **Finnegin'sMom** on Fri Nov 19, 2010 8:50 pm

After reading here on the site about the benefits of lowering nitrates/boosting oxygen, I just bought my first moss ball for Finnegin's tank. The store just had them floating around in a tank with fish, so I figured I'd do the same. My concern was if and/or how much Finnegin would nip at it and eat some. If is ok? dangerous? ...he's so ravenous with his pellets, I think he'd try eating anything in sight. Just checking if there are any hazards I should watch for. Thanks.

by **incognito** on Fri Nov 19, 2010 9:11 pm

moss balls are fine, even most algae eaters won't bother with them never mind bettas.

btw they are just 'moss'!?(actually algae) and air inside depending on how floaty they are at a time.
They are a form of algae but get their shape from fast running water and tumbling over rocks. They go seem to gather quite a bit of silt/crud so are worth giving a squeeze out occasionally into a bucket during water changes, don't squeeze them out in the tank or it will be cloady for ages!.

They are practically indestructable where plants are concern and do just as well if not better in low light conditions but are very slow growing.

by **Finnegin'sMom** on Mon Nov 22, 2010 1:17 pm

Thanks! Actually, Finnegin wants no part of the moss ball! LOL ...he heads in the opposite direction if he comes floating by. The ball only floats for a while, as the flow from the filter keeps pushing it down and gets stuck on plants and decorations at the bottom, so just stays there. Does it matter if the ball is floating or not, or will the tank derive the same benefits no matter where its located? The moss ball I bought is about the size of a good-sized meatball... guess I won't expect much growth too soon, but that's okay. Thanks again!

by **Kamaljot** on Tue Nov 23, 2010 5:16 pm

That happened to my moss balls, they will sink over time, or squeeze them in water...

Marimo/Moss Balls help!

Marimo/Moss Balls help!

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