More Experienced Advice Please?

[andy.windsor]

Are there any specific "preparation" instructions I should be following before I put new plants in my tanks? With respect to java moss, is there anything else at all I need to know other than just to "dump it in the tank" as the pet store clerk told me? Any specific maintenance and care instructions, or perhaps a "shelf life" for java moss...like how long can I keep the same bundle of it in the tank before it may need to be replaced if at all?
With regards to indian almond leaf tea, what instruction should I follow to use it in my water changes? I'm doing 100% water changes today because I'm still freaked after losing my darling CT last night. I don't want to take any chances.

Thanks everyone!

 

[Nim]

Java moss should ideally be tied to a rock or bogwood using fishing line or a fine hairnet. Once it starts growing, you can start trimming it the way you want and use the surplus for other places.

It will only need replacing if it dies and it is possible you may never need to replace it.

I am unaware about the Almost leaf tea or what ever it is can you get the scientific name for the plant in any way?

Nim

 

[andy.windsor]

Its the tea version of the beneficially indian almond leaf. One of our local breeders uses it in breeding tanks. Not sure of scientific name tho.

Hmm....don't have any fine hair nets, do you have alternative ideas for the moss? As is now, I just have it loose in the tank. Thanks!

 

[Nim]

It will grow lose as well but the real effect of the moss comes when it is attached to a rock or a bogwood.

Can you get a couple of meters of fishing line? Use that to tie it to a piece of wood.

Nim

 

[andy.windsor]

Yeah, I've got fishing line. I can probaby get a rock or two as well. I'll give that a try, thanks!

 

[andy.windsor]

K, here's what I've done with the indian almond leaf tea.

I steeped a tea bag in 1 cup of boiling water. I let it steep for about 2 hours. I added 10 ml per gallon of the "tea" to the tank water I just changed (so 30 ml to the 3 gallon and 10 ml to the 1 gallon). The tank water is nicely yellow and brackish. Does this sound good to anyone? I'd like to make sure I haven't done anything wrong before I put my bettas back in their tanks. hehehe Thanks!

 

[Nim]

Brackish?? Betta?? Tea?? Why Tea?

Betta are freshwater fish to why brackish? They dont need tea or any tannins in the water? Sorry I am a bit confused

 

[andy.windsor]

"Brackish" may not be the right term. Basically I mean yellowed. The indian almond leaf tea is supposed to be healthy for them. There is a LONG sticky on indian almond leaf on this forum. Only I can't find the leaf and I want the benefits of it, so I use the tea. Just want to check with those of you who are experienced with using the tea, if I've done it right. Thanks!

 

[andy.windsor]

K, well....I couldn't keep my bettas in the cups forever. So I'm taking my chances that the way I did the tank will be fine. I hope I'm not wrong.

I did tie the moss to rocks with fishing line tho, thanks for that tip anyways!

 

[happyannie]

I never knew there were Indian Almond Leaf tea bags. ?? I just throw in a loose leaf so don't know about that one.. I just tied a big batch of java moss to some rocks in a 60 gallon tank out where I work. It takes a short time to get growing and then it branches out really nice. I have some loose in tanks at home near their swim-thru objects and they just love it like we love trees and other green growing plants...If you have high lighting Riccia is real good too. It floats or can be tied down too. I did both in a 10 gallon and my boy bubbles his Riccia up alot and I tied some down on a flat rock with fishing line. It looks really cool once it takes off and speads a bit. Good luck with your tank!!

 

[andy.windsor]

Thank-you so much. I can't wait to see how it looks once it starts to grow and branch. I may have to hunt a bot too and see if I can find the riccia you mentioned.

 

[andy.windsor]

Ok...I tied the moss with fishing line. It sinks on its own so I didn't anchor...so I wanted to ask this:

The part of the moss that touches the bottom of the tank..will it mold?

 

[ezrock]

hey. you could also do the java moss like the instructions say at http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=101806 (it's a pinned topic in the plants and planted tank forum).

I did that with java moss and am really happy with the results after about a month. I tied it to a piece of glass I had hanging around (leftover from doing stained glass). I'll see if i can get a pic. It's growing really bright green and quite thick!

-Ian

 

[ezrock]

okay, i took about a dozen pics and got ONE that kinda showed the java moss well. Keep in mind it's only been a month or so. AND, it was practically dead from neglect when I set it up...SO, I'm really happy with how it's turned out so far. It needs a trimming and I'll be taking out the riccia you can see behind it as it's too messy for my liking....

Here's the pic:


-Ian

 

[happyannie]

As you can see in the photos it grows at the bottom if you don't anchor it into place. I'm just amazed how it branches out. Mine has snagged onto the rock substrate now....One of my guys likes to curl around thru it and into this swim-thru ceramic thing that's in the bottom. It's amazing stuff. I've bought some on ebay from people selling it whose tanks have been taken over by it after time....So yeah..just let it grow!