java moss

[MIKE D]

I'm going to buy some java moss for the first time and had a few questions.

1. How do you attach it to rocks/decorations?
2. Does java moss need any care or is it a care free plant?
3. Will my Oscars rip it up?

Thanks for all your help! ~mike

[msjinkzd]

I use green thread to tie it to rocks and decorations, fishing line can be used as well. Usually as the string deteriorates the moss is already attached. It should be pretty care free...i just have to thin mine out as it grows too bushy. I have no idea if an oscar will eat it.

[rich311k]

1. I tie it on with cotton thread.
2. Not really, usually grows like crazy.
3. Probably, if I was going to bet on it, I would say yes.

[fishorama]

Detritus tends to get trapped in it, good for fry & shrimp. I pour some refill water at it to flush it out since I have neither.

[Temo]

1 tie it down with a thread , ruberband .ect, or you could just put a rock or some gravel over it,i just but a net over mine to make it look better when it grow out.imo
2.um both,but i'll lean more to the dont need much care or atenion.
3 yep

[root81]

Java moss it pretty much care-free in the sense that it will grow without anything special being done. Actually I have come to believe that pretty much nothing can kill the stuff. One person I shipped some to said it froze hard before he received it, but after a week or 2 it looked healthy again.

Without trimming/thinning/extracting on a regular basis, it will take over your tank! I left my tank for about 2 months without doing anything other that quick water changed, and when I removed the excess moss, I pretty much filler a gallon icrecream tub with it! I'm actually using several tubs full of moss to prepare my water for water changes now, because my tap water has very high nitrate right now.

[Sploke]

I have a few bunches in my turtle tank - 4'x5' tank, about 200gal, with a 4' shoplight over it, so like 30-40 watts I guess. It grows slowly, but its slowly spreading out everywhere. I stuck a few strands in cracks in the driftwood, under rocks, and it kind of spreads itself out. Oscars may pull it apart but I don't think they'll eat it.

[honghong322]

so lucky! I have had mine for about 2 months and it isn't really growing... I have a 20W light in my 29g and only recently have i been keeping the light on for 8 hours... I want more moss!

[ThePBM]

if you want more moss, you can snip it into shorter strands. just take some scissors to it (make sure no fish are in it)

[theotheragentm]

Yup. Cutting Java Moss causes it to propagate. I find tearing it for shaping works better than actually snipping at it.

[evster]

I found that my java moss starts growing some thread/hair algae if I let it grow too long. Trimming it back once every month or so keeps it looking healthy. Other than that it really requires little more than some patience as it grows.

[honghong322]

will try that this weekend! I might just order more and get one of those low light plant packages. I only have 20W though I'm not sure if the plants will have enough light. I don't have the extra $ to get some lighting.. =\

[theotheragentm]

Java Moss will do pretty well under lower light setups. You should be okay.