java moss coverage

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NotCalebSherida

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Nov 3, 2004
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Is it possible to cover the tank's substrate with java moss? I've been thinking about it, and i want to try to make a carpet of java moss.. i guess i'd have to spread it out then weight it down?

If this isn't a good idea/wouldn't work, what else can i use as a "carpet"?

This is for a 10g i want to heavily plant... It has 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites and i don't know aobut anyitng else... it only has 1.5wpg, but i can easily make it 2.6 or more...

all my plants seem to be growing fine (java moss, java fern, amazon sword, and anachris)

Do you guys think i can make a carpet with java moss? if not, what would you suggest? And do you think i should make my tank have 2.6 wpg?
 
It's doable, but like Hook said, tie it to a large flat rock.

If you're willing to step up to 2.6 and get into the world of CO2 and all that (you'll need to pick up NO3 and PO4 test kits) then Riccia makes a beautiful carpet and is pretty easy to work with, IME.

Otherwise, dwarf sag. is a good choice. I've actually found that my parviflorus sword is making a pretty solid groud cover and staying fairly low, 6" leaves at most, although that's getting a little tall for a foreground plant in a 10g.
 
Yes

It is pretty easy actually, as long as you are patient.

Take tufts of java moss and place them on the substrate. Place a pebble on top of the moss to hold it down.

In a few days the moss will grow around the pebble and attach to the substrate. The spaces between the tufts will start to fill in and eventually touch. The moss will spread across the bottom of the tank as well.

You could also use a piece of aluminum screening to provide footholds if the substrate is too fine.

Keep it trimmed though. It tends to get pretty high.
 
I got a small clump of java moss and stuck it on a large piece of driftwood in my 55 gal. It seemed like no time before it had covered the driftwood, crawled onto a sword that was nearby, and then started covering the substrate. Am sure if I had left it, it would have taken over :eeek: !! It kinda reminds me of 'The Blob' in my tank - it just keeps growing and growing and growing :eek:
 
One downside to Java moss as a "carpet" is that with the fine fingers it has, it becomes a mechanical filter, trapping all sorts of crapola (literally and figuratively). Just IME, YMMV.
 
You can but why would you want that. Lots of other better ground cover plants. Java moss (IMO) traps too much dirt and is too hard to clean. I have some that SNUCK into my tank and is attached to my back wall. I have to keep ripping some out every week (about the size of 2 golf balls) to trash it. It grows fast when it is happy.
 
tanker said:
It grows fast when it is happy.
Click to expand...

I agree! When I changed substrate, I pulled my driftwood, took off what java moss I could (it was EVERYWHERE in my tank), and then scrubbed the driftwood under HOT water from the tap, and then put the wood back in my tank. I've noticed the last couple weeks that apparently I didnt get it all off - little sprigs of it have survived and its growing again...grrrr!!! :thud:
 
is CO2 indicated in a high light (3wpg) tank that is moderate to heavily stocked with fish (~1 inch/gallon), or would all the fish provide enough CO2 to keep the plants alive? assume the buffering is sufficient, and the tank is moderately planted.
 
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