Moss Ball?

[Sprite]

Hello,
I was the the fish store yesterday picking up some new fish when I remembered that I needed to ask about algea removal. My tank is fairly new, but cycled (about 2 months old) so this is the first bit of algea that I have seen thus far.

At the store I was told that if I get a moss ball it will take away the algea, as well as remove any excess ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, and food. Is this all true? Seems to good to be true for a little ball of moss in my opinion.

Thanks,
Sprite

 

[lisa2701]

I also would love to know people opinions on moss balls. i have two in my sons triop tank and I can say that I had a little algae growing the other day, so I don't think they'd resolve the algae issue? Perhaps it slows it down, I am not sure to be honest, will be interested to see what other think.

 

[Bugdozer]

They can reduce algae growth by competing with algae for nutrients, but to be honest all plants do this.

 

[SchottayB]

Quite sure they are usless? Most people hate them?

 

[Bugdozer]

They're not useless, I like them and so do my shrimps like climbing on them, but they are not going to take out any more stuff from your tank than another plant would. They are actually a form of algae themselves.

 

[LucyB]

I love them and I love the look of them - My Hoplo catfish, cories, kuhli loaches and my pleco all graze on it

So did my shrimps until they turned into killer shrimps and killed some of my fish so I fed them to my Green terror cichlid... They got what they deserved.

 

[Sprite]

So the moss ball doesn't really remove algea? If not, then would adding chemicals to the tank that do this be advised? I don't really like it, in fact it kind of repulses me and my fish have shown no interest in the plant.

Thanks for the responses,
- Sprite

 

[Tuxyu3]

What kind of algae is it? If its just on the sides you could just get an algae magnet.
I believe the idea behind moss balls is that because they are pretty much algae themselves they take up the same nutrients- depriving the algae.

 

[Sprite]

It is attached to both of the air tubes entering my tank, as well as one of the decorations I have. Not on the walls.......yet!

 

[Gilli]

Its never a good idea to add chemicals to your tank unless you really have to. All newly set up tanks will have some algae until a balance is achieved, and if you have a newly set up tank you dont want to prolong this process by adding chemicals. Just scrape it off.Once a balance is achieved as long as you dont leave your lights on too long or overfeed it wont be a problem.

Moss balls are used for decoration and as a plant which along with other plants will keep the nitrates in your tank down thus preventing excessive algae growth. They are also very useful if you ever have fry in the tank as they provide a source of Infusoria for them to feed on.

 

[PrairieSunflower]

Interesting. I have a moss ball in one tank and not in the others and ther IS less algae in there... but the reason I had bought it originally is I was told it feeds off ammonia so helped maintain my tank.... maybe I should get some more and see what effect they have on my other tanks.

 

[Moby-Krib]

I buy one now and again and let my Mbuna rip it to shreds. They love it!! then I get to clean up the mess.
I do make sure I get them from my trusted LFS. wouldn't want a random malady introduced from a randomly bought toy.

 

[Sprite]

Awesome, thanks guys.

Also, I noticed I was spelling algae wrong the whole time

 

[Livewire88]

Don't let the name deceive you.

Moss balls are not Moss, they are Balls of Algae

So should be renamed Algae Balls

 

[Zante]

Well... They do look like moss...