Couple Quick Questions About A Algae Balls?

[Lyra0727]

Ok so my lfs had these balls balls made from growing algae and they said that it would help just like a live plant would plus there were rumors that it attracts algae instead of it growing on the aquarium.

I'm hoping im in the right section for this since it is alive so I'm assuming its considered a plant.
http/i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii157/ritingyou/algaeballs.jpg (sorry img code wouldnt work)

Anyway just a couple quick questions.. What is this really called? Also is the rumor true that it attracts algae? And my tank has ick and I noticed that the ick has attached to the plant as well.. Do I have to get rid of the plants now? Or will they die off and realise them from the plants like they do the fish?

 

[AstonN24vantage]

they're usually called moss balls, and they do a great job. i put them in my guppy tanks, so when the babies are hungry they can eat the bits of food on the moss ball that is stuck on.

 

[Lyra0727]

they're usually called moss balls, and they do a great job. i put them in my guppy tanks, so when the babies are hungry they can eat the bits of food on the moss ball that is stuck on.

Really? Then I should get an extra one when I go back to the store.. I happen to have a few pregnant guppies.. But the ones in the big tank I think is infested with ick so I cant move thoes :\ Unless maybe the ick would just fall off?

Thanks for telling me what they are called though! They are the only plants that will stay alive in my tank!

 

[JoshuaA]

They are called Marimo moss, first discovered in certain lakes in Japan. Basically it isn't moss and is actually a ball of algae however this algae is very slow growing and somewhat beneficial not only aesthetically but for other reasons. I have them scattered around my tanks I just plop them in and when doing a water change I give them a quick squeeze.

If the tank they are in is infested with Ick and you are using a medical treatment for the fish you can just remove the moss balls and put them in a container to keep moist. Depending on what Ick medicine you use is depending on what methods you need, a blackout won't be great for the moss ball and neither will being subject to some harsh chemicals. In theory if you leave them in the tub long enough the Ick will die without a host but we're talking weeks. Best bet I guess is just leave them in what ever you do, however if you do notice them decaying if you are using medicine remove them.

I think I have around 15 Marimo moss balls scattered over 3 tanks, most of them I never see but my shrimp adore them.

 

[Lyra0727]

I am trying the salt method to get rid of the ick since it has only appeared on one fish so far. But I noticed it on the balls too. Would it be best to take them out of the tank? If so do I keep them in a bucket of water? Or would I keep them out of water?

 

[TwoTankAmin]

Technically they are called "Cladophora aegagrophila" This is what Tropics says about them:

Cladophora aegagrophila is not really a plant, but a ball of algae, so it is a decorative exception from the rule about avoiding algae at all costs. It is normally found in shallow lakes, where the movement of the waves forms it into a sphere. In an aquarium it must be turned regularly to keep it in shape. Cladophora aegagrophila can be divided into smaller pieces, which become spherical with time, or which form a carpet, if attached to roots and stones. Protected in parts of Japan.

From Tropica

 

[Katty]

I am trying the salt method to get rid of the ick since it has only appeared on one fish so far. But I noticed it on the balls too. Would it be best to take them out of the tank? If so do I keep them in a bucket of water? Or would I keep them out of water?

Just put the mossball in a jar or glass of water, and change the water once every couple of weeks. Then put them back in the tank once the ick is gone and the treatment done. This is a popular way to keep marimo balls in Japan, in jars of water. You can keep them out of water for a while (mine was shipped to me dry) but you might as well just stick it in a little cup of water to be on the safe side.

 

[Lyra0727]

I am trying the salt method to get rid of the ick since it has only appeared on one fish so far. But I noticed it on the balls too. Would it be best to take them out of the tank? If so do I keep them in a bucket of water? Or would I keep them out of water?

Just put the mossball in a jar or glass of water, and change the water once every couple of weeks. Then put them back in the tank once the ick is gone and the treatment done. This is a popular way to keep marimo balls in Japan, in jars of water. You can keep them out of water for a while (mine was shipped to me dry) but you might as well just stick it in a little cup of water to be on the safe side.

Ok thanks. After finding more information about them, if I could I would actually like to put them in the tank for my guppies since I believe they would do better there. But with the ick being there.. Last thing I need is spreading that to more fish! Especally since their pregnant.