Java Moss

[jimbooo]

nah i doubt it, not the tastiest of plants. should be fine.

 

[yvez9]

only thing nobody mentionned is java moss doesn't float, it sinks

you need to attach to a clip if you want it to float, otherwise it will just be carried around by the current and attacj itself at some point, probably around the filter intake and grow in there

 

[jimbooo]

yeah i did think that but let it be. it will hang in the tank fine, kind of mid water. the bottom part will touch the bottom (it'll be trapped by gravel anyway but will grow towards the light so should be fine.)

if you look at mine in this pic (bottom right) you'll see what i mean. this is java moss on slate held down with a hairnet. the new growth goes upwards so looks like a grassy lawn type effect it doesn't fall flat but keeps this shape all the time, when it needs a trim i just give it a haircut

 

[Briarmoor]

I started clumps of java moss at the base of a few decorations and used larger rocks to anchor the clumps. I still have to clean bits of moss off the filter intake at times, but eventually, the moss will cling pretty well on its own. It does have a tendency to spread and wrap around other things, such as artificial plants I also have in the tank. The LFS may have some of the things that look like wide bread wrapper ties that are bendable and hold the shape you bend them into. These work good for anchoring java moss around smaller parts of decorations.

I notice the fish like to pick at it, I suspect they are getting bits of food out of it, etc. rather than actually eating the moss itself.

Another plant I really like is water lettuce, although it grows fast and can take over the tank. The gouramis love it as it floats at the surface and subdues bright lighting. Also the betta sleeps in his, he is small enough his weight does not make the stems collapse and I find him lounging in the lettuce all the time. He has to wiggle to get his finnage out of the leaves to come greet me.

 

[Dorkhedeos]

you guys are lucky, i want java moss, but i would have to wait a few months for my lfs to get some, and pay 5 bucks for a little cup which is way too much

 

[fatboybaby]

theone thing i have noticed with java moss is that it takes absolutely ages to get settled in properly and a lot of what you get at first does die off. i've had some for months and months and its only just getting established and stuck to the decorations. is this usual?

 

[norbie]

Look on eBay - there's usually java moss on there!

Just when mine started to grow and look good my new Plec ate it all

 

[timmystood]

I thinking of sticking it around the base of my fake plant with a bit of gravel on top to weigh it down (as was the advice given to me) - getting it off eBay