Moss And Alternatives

[spongy]

Here is my re scaped tank....

I'm looking to finish it off, and I feel the right hand side is a bit bare

I'm thinking about smashing one of the girlfriends ceramic plant pots to make a cave but it wouldn't look natural.

Is there a way to attach some have moss or such like to a smooth surface like a plant pot to make a natural looking real cave without going down the artificial route?

 

[elmo666]

Java moss can be used for this, some people use superglue (I think) to attach it. Personally I use very fine fishing line in a criss-cross fashion. Maybe someone could advise about glueing it as I have no experience. Nice tank!

 

[fluttermoth]

Yes, just tie it on with some thread; making sure that it's pulled tight so no fish can get stuck underneath it.

I would either get a new pot (in case of fertilizer/pesticide residues in an old one; you want an unglazed, terracotta one) or you could buy a coconut and cut/break it in half. Don't forget to get all the coconut flesh out before you put it in the tank!

 

[spongy]

How do you pull it tight over a semi circle shape though? If you understand what I mean? Won't it encroach on the entrance and the bottom of the cave? How do the roots attach? Even though it'll be unglazed its still very smooth?

 

[elmo666]

The moss won't root, it doesn't. If you use a plant pot, place the moss around the area that will sit above the substate, you don't want to get any trapped underneath. Using fine fishing line, or green cotton, wrap it around the pot first, then spread your moss over this before wrapping over the top of the moss. It will soon grow and hide any visible cotton. The pot will be left open at the front. You will have to place it in such a way that you don't see the bottom or push some moss into the hole if it has one. Just place the moss around the side of the pot.

The moss won't root, it doesn't. If you use a plant pot, place the moss around the area that will sit above the substate, you don't want to get any trapped underneath. Using fine fishing line, or green cotton, wrap it around the pot first, then spread your moss over this before wrapping over the top of the moss. It will soon grow and hide any visible cotton. The pot will be left open at the front. You will have to place it in such a way that you don't see the bottom or push some moss into the hole if it has one. Just place the moss around the side of the pot.

Sorry, forgot to say use a whole plant pot, place the moss over 2/3 of it or so, then slip the "bare" bit under the substrate. This will make attaching it to a full circular pot straight forward. Hope that make sense.

 

[spongy]

Yes it does ! Cheers, so simple, surprised I didn't think of that to be honest!