How long does moss take to fully attach itself to a new object?

I have my betta with me at work. Can't have a whole tank set up, so he is in a huge (3.5-4g) bubble bowl. Ambient temperature keeps water at 78-79 degrees and I handle the lack of filter by regular water changes. About a month ago I put in java moss just to see if it would survive - it did. So I got bolder and mail ordered some weeping moss and star moss and am trying to make it grow on the fake hollow tree trunk I have. It's been two weeks and I am not sure about the weeping moss. It looks to me as if it is a bit more brown than when I got it, but I might be imagining that.

The star moss is better news. After 2 weeks I can see tiny little hairs (tendrils?) growing all over. The only problem is keeping it properly attached.I currently do 75% water change once a week. I normally save some of the water, but take everything out of the bowl so I can clean out the fish poo at the bottom. I did tie the moss down, but the trunk is very gnarled and uneven so string ends up gliding off in all except for one section as soon as I put the trunk back into the water. The star moss is also kind of "crumbly"n so the sections past the string tend to just break off. So I'm thinking that I could try doing just 50% water changes and only scoop out water and refill w/o moving the ornament. I think that this might work maybe for a month b4 the bottom will be really soiled.

Would this be enough time for the moss to attach? How long does it take? Would it speed up if I added fertilizer?

I know this is not your usual scenario since you guys all have tanks, but any suggestion would be appreciated.

I'm not the best on a subject like this but have you tried Fishing line? I use clear fishing line all the time to tie moss etc down and it works brilliantly. Also I learnt from Modaz that Star Moss isn't a true aquatic moss. It can become crumbly and die within months this could be what you are experiencing.

Is fishing line stretchy or something? I am tying it down, but the object is so irregular that I just can't get it tight... String keeps slipping off the knobs.

Don't know what "star moss" is but it seems to be growing. Has all these little thin green threads growing which are baout 1/2cm long. I was assuming that's a good sign?

Galanta wrote:Is fishing line stretchy or something? I am tying it down, but the object is so irregular that I just can't get it tight... String keeps slipping off the knobs.

Don't know what "star moss" is but it seems to be growing. Has all these little thin green threads growing which are baout 1/2cm long. I was assuming that's a good sign?

Its not very stretchy no but string will slowly disintegrate in water which could be making the moss loose. The fishing line is very easy to knot and pull tight and stays where ever you put it.

Um I'm really not sure hun never had any experience with it personally. It might be worth you sending a PM to Modaz he's the plant expert hehehehe.

Dear Mel, thanks! Will try to get my hands on some fishing line and try from there ...

Fishing line is pretty cheap and theres normally an angling shop you've never noticed before in each town LOL Goodluck

I use the thin plastic line thats in craft shops cant remember what its called but they sell it in all craft shops- filament or something like that

Works perfectly

Ok cool. Thanks for the pointers, guys!

It is possible that your weeping moss isn't growing due to lack of light. It's possible your plants would grow faster if you either increased the amount of time the lights are left on, or added more fluorescent light to the area. I have a couple of tanks without real hood lights, but I found by putting a lamp with a fluorescent bulb closeby and keeping it on for more than 8 hours a day, the plants grow wonderfully.