Java Moss On Wood

[Titchie]

Ive just got some bog wood type stuff, Cant remember the name. I think it begins with a M its suppose to have less peat and shouldn alter the ph to much. I know i need to soak it for a week but whats the best way to attach the moss, Someone said use super glue another said cotton thread. Which is best. Also if i do it now while its soaking for a week, will it be ok in a bucket with a lamp over it. How long does it take to attach properly.

 

[ron4sum1]

Ive just got some bog wood type stuff, Cant remember the name. I think it begins with a M its suppose to have less peat and shouldn alter the ph to much. I know i need to soak it for a week but whats the best way to attach the moss, Someone said use super glue another said cotton thread. Which is best. Also if i do it now while its soaking for a week, will it be ok in a bucket with a lamp over it. How long does it take to attach properly.

It depends on your condition. High light, CO2 concentration, fertilisers, help speed up the attachment. You can tie the java moss using a simple thread. You only soak the wood if you want to remove the dye (since the wood can colour the water to brown). Alternatively, you can use carbon filter to remove the dye. Bear in mind that some species might look better with brownish water, but it's usually a personal choice.

 

[Titchie]

I thought about it and I really like clear water so thats why im soaking it, what fertilizer should i use. Its going to go in my shrimp tank im setting up so I need it to be right for them

 

[ron4sum1]

I thought about it and I really like clear water so thats why im soaking it, what fertilizer should i use. Its going to go in my shrimp tank im setting up so I need it to be right for them

If you want to maximise the growth of plant. You should add a lot of CO2 and light. There's several products on the internet. You can just google them and pick your choice Obviously, ebay will be the cheapest probably ! Even if you soak the wood for long, it might still dye your water, so after soaking, you should get a carbon media to remove the excess. Once you get to your outcome, make sure that the amount of CO2 is right enough for your shrimp to live in ! So testing before putting your shrimp in is necessary

 

[Titchie]

Can you explain more about CO2, how to control it etc whats good or bad

 

[minnnt]

A week will make little if any difference to tannins. I believe you actually have Mopani wood? It is a very hard wood, it's actually a root. It will colour the water for a fair few months, even a year in some cases. The warmer the water the quicker it comes out.

I normally use cotton thread to attatch moss and it works very well, but it is alot easier with two people. Wrap the thread around it as much as you can as it will hold more in place. Catch any loose pieces that float away and re-use them somewhere else. I believe moss will attatch to normal bogwood quicker than it will to Mopani.

Mosses will not need any fertilisers or Co2. Admitadely they may do better with them, but not neccessary by any means. Your fish will produce enough nutrients to keep it healthy providing you have the correct amount of light for the correct amount of time.

 

[Titchie]

So is it worth putting hot water on the wood to try to get rid of the coloring. How much light and for how long

 

[minnnt]

Lighting depends on what you have, i.e. what kind of bulbs. 1w per gallon is plenty for most low requirement plants i have found. Usually limit your light to 8 hours a day, try and use a timer for accurate light amounts each day.

You can use boiling water to remove the tannins quicker, but it is costly (electricity) and time consuming. Warm water will probably be your best option and change it around twice a day. If you have a carbon in your filter then this will remove most of the colour from the water. I like it though tbh, it gives a great natural look to a tank and enhances the colour of the fish most of the time.

 

[Titchie]

Well im not using a proper filter im gonna use a air powered sponge filter for it as ive heard its best for shrimp, so how would i add a carbon filter. I havent got a light for the tank yet as I dont know which one to go for, but the moss for now will be growing via a house hold lamp till it goes in the tank

 

[minnnt]

Should be fine under a normal bulb until you get one sorted.

What size tank do you have?

If you're using a sponge filter and you don't like tannins then you will have to soak it.

 

[Titchie]

Its soaking already, and its only a 2ft one that i got for free, so i thought I would stick shrimp in

 

[minnnt]

Sounds great. If you can work out the amount of litres then roughly match the light wattage to it then you won't be far off. Make sure you include lots of other plants though and not just moss otherwise you will suffer from algae.

 

[Titchie]

I was thinking of snails to sort that.

 

[minnnt]

More plants will use up nutrients quicker than algae can and if kept in the right conditions then algae shouldn't be an issue. Snails will only do a limited amount for algae.

 

[Titchie]

Didnt know that, thanks but dont tell the missus as I like my snails lol.