Moss Balls

[Genesis]

What is your oppinion on moss balls?
Do you think they ruin the 'natural look' of an aquascape?
I was thinking of buying some, but I'm scared they won't look natural.
Do you have any? How do they look?


Kind thanks,
Josh

 

[Esfa]

I have one, i think it looks very natural.

My shrimp and bbgs love it.

 

[fishyfeet]

Ive had loads, 30 or 40 at a time, i love them, di

 

[Genesis]

Wow, looks like I'll be getting some
Also, what shrimp would you recommend to eat algea in a 50gal?


P.S. They have to be able to withstand a Red Tailed Black Shark and an Angel fish!

 

[drewry]

iv got 5 moss balls they look really good

 

[three-fingers]

I love the look of moss balls, they just look like algae covered rocks, which seems very natural to me.

Ive had loads, 30 or 40 at a time, i love them, di

You must really like them then, how much did that many set you back?

Not much, if you can get amano shrimp at a decent size they would be perfectly fine, but as with any shrimp, vulnerable when shedding. Loads of hiding places inaccessible to the other fish would have to be provided. You'd need alot of shrimp to make a difference in a 50gal anyway, and you would hardly see them, but it's always a risk with larger fish.

I use a combination of bristlenose plecs, siamese algae eaters and 4 nerite snails to keep my tank algae free, and it works very well.
All are fine with my angelfish, and my synodontis, so should be fine in your tank. I'd certainly recommend them.

 

[Genesis]

I love the look of moss balls, they just look like algae covered rocks, which seems very natural to me.
I use a combination of bristlenose plecs, siamese algae eaters and 4 nerite snails to keep my tank algae free, and it works very well.
All are fine with my angelfish, and my synodontis, so should be fine in your tank. I'd certainly recommend them.

Thanks for the suggestions!
Trouble is, with the bristlies, I have an L018 Golden Nugget, and he really hates other plecos
Are SAEs Flying Foxes? If so, they're scarce around here.
How about Otoclincus sp. ?

 

[Esfa]

get handfulls of java moss and a colony of cherry shrimp. once you have enough of a breeding age, you will be glad that a few are getting eaten.

that's only if its havily planted / loads of places where the other fish cant get to them.

 

[three-fingers]

Similar, just make sure if you get them they are certainly Crossocheilus siamensis. I have 3 and they do a great job at eating algae, with the bonus of being very active fun fish. It's well worth sourcing them out or ordering from the web.

A shoal of 6 otos would be great, just watch any adult angels. In a display tank at work an adult angel ended up with an oto stuck in it's mouth after trying to eat it. Otos can be very sensitive too, probably due to collecting methods, I've never had luck with them (not tired recently though).

Nerites are really good at eating algae, and can withstand loaches, but unless you have a backup tank or really know what your doing, I wouldn't recommend them unless your pH is above 7.

 

[Genesis]

My PH is 7.8

Sometimes it even measures around 8.2

 

[Amunet]

I love mossballs and just love the way they look!
I'd get more but I'm afraid I'd kill them like I did the last ones we got
I might try them again later on though

 

[Eclecticoldsod]

If your fish are not moving them about, give your moss balls a change of position once a week, or they lose their round shape...

 

[Gill]

Love Mossballs,
I will cut them up to change how they look, and will flatten them out to make hilly and flat areas.
If you pile them up in a corner they make excellent hidey holes for timid fish and fry.