My big balls

[Robert H]

Any questions?

http://www.aquabotanic.com/shop/media/Marimo.jpg

[Matak]

Any questions?
Yep. Just the obvious one.
Just what is that thing anyway :confused: :confused:

[bobalston]

Another question: Ya only got the one?

Bob

[Heady]

I've seen those before, they are so cool!!!! :)

[plantbrain]

I wouldn't brag:-) The bigger they are, the more they become hollow inside.

Cladophora balls, they are a nice addition to a plant tank and not invasive, relatively slow growing. They first appeared here in the trade (USA) back in 1997-1998. They've been kept in aquariums for perhaps 35 years.

Regards,
Tom Barr

[RTR]

But it does look great RPH!

[gcvt]

I've got two balls, but they look a little more hairy than Robert's ;) :p

http://www.motorworld.com/gcvt/pets/fish/ta/pics/hairy_balls.jpg

[Fishiebusiness]

My balls were attacked by something or other and one of them has holes now.

[K_S_W_I_S_S]

how do your balls reproduce??? and how much did they cost?

[plantbrain]

They reproduce either asexually, although you might go blind, or sexually.
The spores can settle (often on gravel) and form tuffs and eventually form new balls after a few months. All balls are hairy unless you trim them.

Ball splitting is the best way to divide after they get a decent size and start becoming uncomfertable (for the tank) and taking up too much room. Some balls, when happy, will float up to the top of the tank from pearling. Great balls are always pearling and bob up and down daily.

Regards,
Tom Barr

[K_S_W_I_S_S]

Where did you buy your balls from??

[Ozone]

yes yes!!! where did you get your balls form???:D I want couple of them too they sure look great :p
thanks

[Robert H]

Ha! I thought that would get your attention! Ok, thats not my picture, I stole it. Thats a pic of them in the wild in the only place in the world they come from, a lake in Japan.

First time I ever saw these was when Tom Barr sent me some last year, at that time they were not available from commercial sources in the USA.

But then a couple of months ago, Florida Aquatic Nurseries got a hold of them and started distributing them to their retailers and distributors across the country. Its unclear how much longer they will be available. Tom, did you or Karen Randall have anything to do with FAN getting this plant? FAN seems to be now importing more rare and unusual plants periodically, something they never used to do.

Mine are golf ball size, and pretty darn neat looking! As part of their photosynthesis, they sometimes float up to the water surface for a few hours, then sink back to the bottom again.

And no, I don't only have one, I have a whole tank full of them and I'm selling them. Even in the picture, all of those are algae balls, not rocks!

They seem to be easy to grow, under low light or high light. I do not know if temps, water hardness or other factors come into play or not, maybe Tom can shed some light.

[gcvt]

Originally posted by plantbrain
All balls are hairy unless you trim them.

Should I be grooming my balls?


Btw, I walked into my LFS a few weeks ago and saw them in their tanks. They were $8 each, but I talked them down to $7 each. I would have paid $10+ each ;)

[plantbrain]

Yes, one should groom their balls. Some squeeze their balls. This gets rid of any detritus that might have accumulated. Whether or not you squeeze them frequently or not is not much of an issue although trimming can help maintain their overall shape if they are growing relatively fast.

There is a saltwater version of this same genus also, something few folks know about.

I think FAN is having increasing pressure from Asian importers and other growers. So it's sink or swim. When the USA starts getting a fair number of rare or wild crypts in once a year or so, then I'll be happy. They can get stock from most place etc.

Not sure why they have not sold more of Gasser's crypts, they got the collection of his after he passed on.

Regards,
Tom Barr

[gcvt]

I'm going to groom one of my balls tonight. My smaller ball has been looking a little oblong and probably deserves a trimming.



Originally posted by plantbrain
...There is a saltwater version of this same genus also, something few folks know about...

Regards,
Tom Barr

Do you have any more info on these?

[superstein61]

Now, will my bristlenose suck on those balls?


ahhh, seriously - since they are algae balls, will any of my algae eaters disturb them

[plantbrain]

I've found no normal run of the mill algae eaters we normally keep that will eat them.

SAE's will mow on them, might tickle a bit, but I think they are eating the algae that are on the balls, not the Cladophora itself.

What info do you want to know about them? C. prolifera is a commom Caribbean species. They are around 3 inches in diameter
The FW ones get basketball size and become hollow inside.

A bristlenose might hurt your balls.

Regards.
Tom Barr

[Heady]

LOL, this is just way too dirty for me!! ;)

[nvision]

yeah all that trimming can really make a mess on your hands. ;)

speaking of which, how the heck can you trim that thing to look like the first photo anyways???

http://www.consumer.philips.com/global/b2c/norelco/catalog/assets/products/pd_lv_shot_6735x.jpg

[Raithan Ellis]

Is that one of those new electric razors with the built-in lubricant dispenser? I would presume that stuff is very bad to get on your balls, and in your aquaria.

[125gJoe]

http://gordon.sourcecod.com/images/flagicons/american_flag.gif
Given an average sized environment, my guess is that 2 balls is normal. Is this true?

[nvision]

...built-in lubricant dispenser?

good lord, is that where the oily film on my water surface is coming from...??!

[RENEGADE]

i want some!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[plantbrain]

As we all know, some folks have more balls than others, I know gals that have balls and men that don't. Some only have one "ball".

But if you want balls or more balls than you already have, you'll learn how to care for them.

By learning how to grow the plants well, you also will have more balls later.
And also you will have BIGGER BALLS. If you are balled out, well, you can order more.

Although be careful, asking for someone's balls is rather a delicate issue.

Apparently Robert Hudson doesn't seem to mind talking about his balls and doesn't mind selling/giving his away. It's hard to put a price on your balls.

Apparently, he does not mind and his services are shashayed with the upmost machismo and bravado.

I suppose too many balls could get you in trouble. That might be his case.

Putting them into the aquarium is a somewhat novel idea but many folks seem to enjoy having their balls in their tanks.

Balls are not for everyone, some like to have them, some don't.

Regards,
Tom Barr

[Heady]

ROTFLMAO!!!!! ;) :D


Seriously, can your balls shrivel up and die, or do they just keep growing and growing forever?

Also, what happens when you squeeze your balls?

That must be pretty funny to watch, if your balls start floating up and then get pushed around by the powerhead... oh wait... :rolleyes: :D

[plantbrain]

Balls seem to enjoy good current. If you have balls, I would suggest putting them out in the open so that all may see them. Don't be shy. They will grow to monsters and you will beam with pride. Put them directly under the light. Like a proud parent: "My balls are 4 and still getting bigger! One is almost as big as a grapefruit".

Some folks feel when they start getting this big, it's unatural but it's not. It's just folks have not seen balls like this before and have not realized that they can get this big.

But with education and awareness, they will be accepted in public eventually.

Regards,
Tom Barr

[RTR]

Sorry to interrupt with the mundane, but do ball require CO2, and what light level is appropriate for exposure? Do shrimp disturb them?

[plantbrain]

RTR there __is__ advice in what I'm saying. You should have the balls to use CO2, high light and good nutrients when growing balls. Otherwise your balls just sit there. What good are balls that just sit there? Those are not happy balls. I like happy balls. Those are the best balls of all. Shrimp are good as are most typical algae nibblers. Current, light basically everything that higher embryophytes like to grow. Folks kept them a long time ago in non CO2 tanks but they grew extremely slow. They often got covered by algae. Not happy balls.
The current maintains their shape. They will grow lopsided if you leave them in one spot too long. The wave and currents keep them rotating and allows for a decent round shape. I've had them grow like a pair of hambuger buns.
these different shapes tend to float more and should be divided into the round shapes that will hopefully maintain the shape.
It's not easy to get large balls that don't look weird. Folks stare as it is.

Regards,
Tom Barr

[125gJoe]

http://gordon.sourcecod.com/images/flagicons/american_flag.gif
............And I was hoping it was still April first.................

:eek:

[gcvt]

Originally posted by 80gJoe
http://gordon.sourcecod.com/images/flagicons/american_flag.gif
............And I was hoping it was still April first.................

:eek:


Nope. Big hairy balls are nothing to joke about my friend - very serious business :p

[plantbrain]

Funny thing was, when Claus brought some to the USA a number of years ago, everyone view them not quite with contempt, few even wanted balls. He had to give them away to some folks. Most relucantly accepted.

Now it seems many want balls. Having balls seems to be an increasing trend.


Regards,
Tom Barr

[inxs]

I saw some FW crabs at the LFS today - would it be unwise to mix the crabs with the balls?

Also I have been battling cyanobacteria lately which has led to blue balls - should I just rub this of by hand or would it help to place them in front of the powerhead?

[ChilDawg]

Originally posted by plantbrain
They reproduce either asexually, although you might go blind...

I think that that's a myth whether or not we talk about algae, but I'm definitely not going to field-test it!

[125gJoe]

Originally posted by plantbrain
.... ... Having balls seems to be an increasing trend. ..... http://gordon.sourcecod.com/images/flagicons/american_flag.gif
With current events these days! --- I agree!
http://gordon.sourcecod.com/images/flagicons/american_flag.gif

:D

[Raithan Ellis]

Originally posted by inxs
I saw some FW crabs at the LFS today - would it be unwise to mix the crabs with the balls?

Why, have you been itching to try that combination? :D

[Robert H]

I've heard they shrivel up in cold water...just kidding...

$7, 9, 10$?? Yikes! I'm selling them for $4.50!

www.aquabotanic.com

[funkyfish]

I must admit, I have been eyeing up your balls with great interest. I'd also be interested in your reply to inxs about cleaning cyano off said balls. I've been battling the hideous green stuff (the cyano, not your balls) for quite some time now and was waiting until I had it licked before ordering the balls. I'm also curious as to exactly how important CO2 is for the balls. Right now, I am using Seachem's Excel as my Co2 source and was wondereing if it would be sufficient to keep my balls happy.

[gcvt]

Originally posted by Robert H
I've heard they shrivel up in cold water...just kidding...

$7, 9, 10$?? Yikes! I'm selling them for $4.50!

www.aquabotanic.com

$4.50 sounds good, but one of your balls would cost me $4.99 in shipping...for a total of $9.49 per ball. That's a lot of money for one hairy green ball when I can get them locally for $7.58 :p

[superstein61]

Originally posted by gcvt


$4.50 sounds good, but one of your balls would cost me $4.99 in shipping...for a total of $9.49 per ball. That's a lot of money for one hairy green ball when I can get them locally for $7.58 :p

Actually Gcvt, I think to get your one hairy ball, it would cost you about $35 from Robert. $25 minimum order, 2 day UPS shipping and $5 handling charge for orders under $100.

Thats my only beef and why I haven't ordered from him.

Robert - I am curious, lots of folks sell on Aquabid and there is no minimum order, 2 day US Prioirty mail shipping and no handling fees. Why do you impose minimums, handling fees, etc. I am sure there are more people like me who would like to buy a few things from you but really don't need $25 worth of plants right now because we have a lot already, and while I am more than willing to pay actual postage, am put off by a $5 handling fee

[plantbrain]

Not take someone else's ball topic away, if you have blue green ball issues, there's a simple way to get rid of BGA.

Black out for 3 days. Remove all you can first, trim tall plantys that might be on the surface or real close, clean filter etc then do a 50% water change. Add KNO3 back right after and turn off the lights for 3 days. Turn off CO2 also.
Cover with blanket so that no light gets in. Trash bags etc work also.

Turn lights back on and do 50% water change again and add the KNO3 back.

Keep up on the nutrients this time and add enough KNO3/CO2 etc.

You get algae because you are not taking care of the plants.

Balls like NO3, P, CO2 , high light like the higher embryophyte plants.

Regards,
Tom Barr

[RTR]

Oh well, as I don't do high light, I guess I'll go through life without balls.

[Robert H]

Algae balls do OK under low light... Like Tom said, everyone should have a nice pair of balls, unless you are French, then you better get four as it seems the French never have enough balls

[Robert H]

Robert - I am curious, lots of folks sell on Aquabid and there is no minimum order, 2 day US Prioirty mail shipping and no handling fees. Why do you impose minimums, handling fees, etc. I am sure there are more people like me who would like to buy a few things from you but really don't need $25 worth of plants right now because we have a lot already, and while I am more than willing to pay actual postage, am put off by a $5 handling fee

Because I ship out 40 to 50 orders a week, and I am just one person. It takes me about 20 minutes to process each order. I have to pay for boxes and shipping material. 2% of the order goes to the credit card company. UPS charges me a weekly fee beyond the cost of shipping each order, plus a pick up fee. Shall I go on? If you ordered $100 worth of plants, would you want your order delayed another week because I got 10 orders for $10 a peice that I had to spend my time getting out the door?

I work out of my house... I could hire help and a warehouse, but then I would have to raise my prices. $25 isn't much of a minimum. It seems like a good comprimise to me. But nothing is set in stone either. I make exceptions for regular customers and other circumstances. But you are right, I'm not Ebay, or Aquabid....and I don't want to be!

[RENEGADE]

i see where your coming robert but like superstein61 said not all of us need $25 worth of plants but if you have enough orders then i would be doing the same thing your doing.

[plantbrain]

Sometimes you have to have the balls to sell your balls to the highest bidder.
The bigger the balls, the higher the payoff.

Regards,
Tom Barr

[Ranger]

Anyone interested in the Seattle area, I saw some of these at "The Fish Store" in the Roosevelt district last week. Wondered what they were, thanks for the info guys. Now I want to get some hairy balls too.

[plantbrain]

Well there you have it, no excuse not to have balls, they are now available to everyone in NA. Ball-less no more.
regards,
Tom Barr

[Robert H]

Well, buy four balls, theres your minimum...close enough any way! What can I say, I do the best I can. Who wants just one ball anyway? More balls the better!:D

[gcvt]

Originally posted by Robert H
Who wants just one ball anyway? More balls the better!:D

Good point there - I've only had my hairy balls for a few weeks and I already want more.

I've just recently begun to show my balls to people and most seem to love them. If I had known about this earlier, I would have been sending pics of my balls to everyone! ;)

[superstein61]

Originally posted by Robert H


Because I ship out 40 to 50 orders a week, and I am just one person. It takes me about 20 minutes to process each order. I have to pay for boxes and shipping material. 2% of the order goes to the credit card company. UPS charges me a weekly fee beyond the cost of shipping each order, plus a pick up fee. Shall I go on? If you ordered $100 worth of plants, would you want your order delayed another week because I got 10 orders for $10 a peice that I had to spend my time getting out the door?

I work out of my house... I could hire help and a warehouse, but then I would have to raise my prices. $25 isn't much of a minimum. It seems like a good comprimise to me. But nothing is set in stone either. I make exceptions for regular customers and other circumstances. But you are right, I'm not Ebay, or Aquabid....and I don't want to be!

Fair enough - if you have enough business that warrants not doing orders under $25 that makes sense - Actually my bigger beef was the additional $5 handling charge on top of already high UPS shipping charges. For example, even if one was to buy 4 balls, which come to $18, after adding on UPS shipping of $11.88 and the $5 handling charge the price basically doubles

I don't know, guess I am just used to buying and selling via Aquabid - where I can ship something via USPS Prioirty mail for about $5 (which takes typically the same 2 days that the UPS 2 day service does) - and the USPS provides the free shipping material

But you obviously know your business better than I do so your policy works for you

[nvision]

God bless the balls of America...

[gcvt]

Just bumping the balls ;)

[Robert H]

Hey Tom, what happens if you flatten your balls?

[plantbrain]

Ouch,
Ball splitting will give you flattened balls.

Hey, Robert, when you sell out, will you then be "ball less?"

Regards,
Tom Barr

[gcvt]

Can't you split your balls in half, fold each half-ball over on itself, hold the ball in that position using thread, and end up with two small round balls?

[superstein61]

Originally posted by gcvt
Can't you split your balls in half, fold each half-ball over on itself, hold the ball in that position using thread, and end up with two small round balls?

Hmmm, i would suspect that tieing your balls would be considered uhhh quite painful or even kinky - but hey if the fish don't mind;)

[superstein61]

Well, I just had 3 nice hairy balls arrive today from a nice guy from another board. Alas, that is the last of his balls that he is getting rid of.

They look quite nice in the tank and my clown loaches decided to play soccer with one of them for a while

[Robert H]

Hey, I had two balls fuse together to make one big ball!

would I be ball less? Only in body not in spirit!

But hey, I will still have more balls than a frenchman, or apparently the Canadian president! Ooops, I guess now I will have a few less sold balls... but as long as I am ranting... hey Tom, guess where literally tons of all the weapons our soldiers are finding were made? France, Germany, and Russia! Now isn't that a big surprise!:o

[gcvt]

Originally posted by Robert H
Hey, I had two balls fuse together to make one big ball!

Wow! I didn't know balls could fuse together! :eek:

So, with that in mind, I guess it's better to keep a little distance between my balls?

I only have two balls right now, and I'd rather not have them fuse together - I want to turn them into more balls at some point.

[kveeti]

Originally posted by Robert H
But hey, I will still have more balls than a frenchman, or apparently the Canadian president! Ooops, I guess now I will have a few less sold balls...

Not really. We don't have a "president". Cheers!

[plantbrain]

You don't have balls Robert, now you "have ball":-)

Like Ricky in 4th grade when he made an ill fated leap over a chair and did not not come down like he wanted.

Is one big ball better than than two? Up to a point and then you might want to divide the balls. They will get hollow inside after they reach a certain size.

As far as the War, that's not a ball issue.

But the balls in question have nothing to do with those balls nor Canadians and the French.

Whatever, I was having a good time joking here which I might add helps the thread which also helps advertize your business to make money right?

Got your "balls" on that one?:-) One for each issue huh?

That's okay, I got iron "fertilizer" balls.

Regards,
Tom Barr

[inxs]

To generalize about Canadians and French is like saying that since you are an american you must be a guntoting KKK member who wants to ruin the world (the Bush fiasco at Kyoto means every american is anti environment , right?).

To generalize like that is stupid and so is bringing in politics into the plant forum.

[ChilDawg]

Unless the politics have to do with plant conservation, but this obviously isn't the case.

[djlen]

I just want to know where the h**l the moderator is. This stuff is not supposed to happen unchallenged. Why is it being allowed to continue?
Guys, if you want to talk politics, take it to a political forum....please.
Len

[tricksterpup]

I saw some balls the other day, they were kinda small and shriveled.. I was looking for a nice round, full pair before I will even touch them.

[MFish]

My balls are in the mail :( (With a lot of microswords :p)

[plantbrain]

Hoped the package is marked "Fragile".
If you put them in a cold water tank do they shrivel?

Regards,
Tom Barr

[tricksterpup]

Originally posted by plantbrain
If you put them in a cold water tank do they shrivel?
Regards,
Tom Barr

Tom,
Your are the expert here with your big hairy Balls, have they ever shrivel and become lifeless in cold water ?
jim

[plantbrain]

Not when you have great balls of fire. I need the water to cool them down.

"Red" algae balls of desire are a saltwater version, there's also a few other SW ball forming types. Cladophora prolifera is a ball former from the Caribbean.

Regards,
Tom Barr

[OrionGirl]

Having just recently gotten myself a pair, I must comment that there seems to be a few guys...compensating for something.

I appreciate the innuendos...Let's keep it clean!

[plantbrain]

Huh? Gals "compensate" just as much if not more than men.
Both groups want the same thing, big algae balls albiet in different places...in the tank. The issue of algal insecurity works both ways.

But there are a number of algae balls, some red(Saltwater), some green.
Penicillus looks like a ball on a stalk. Very interesting and relatively easy to grow algae. There are 2-3 in the genus that I have right now growing quite well in a marine tank.

Regards,
Tom Barr

[OrionGirl]

What is your source for the SW balls? Are they compatible with a reef setup (regal tang, bicolor angel, blue damsel, engineer goby, scooter blenny, sally light foot crabs, blood shrimp, hermits, snails) or a FOWLR (lionfish, trigger, eel, mandarin goby)? Or do they prefer less mobile inverts for company?

[MFish]

Originally posted by plantbrain
Not when you have great balls of fire.

*cough*AC/DC!!*cough*

[plantbrain]

Many marine fish love to eat macro algae, but some are left alone.
Blennies, gobies, shrimps, etc all seem fine or most predators.
Cladophora prolifera is a green marine ball former.
A number will grow all over a round rock or even crabs. Seeing a small crab covered with Neomeris is rather attractive.
Lime green algae "fingers"
Valonia are tough marble sized single cells-some of the largest cells actually, around 1.5 to almost 2 inches around. Some get up 20cm~ about 8inch ball you'd mistake for a semi clear plastic ball.
Dictyosphaeria is another tough pin cushion type of plant.

Regards,
Tom Barr

[Richer]

I think this thread has gone on for long enough.

-Richer

[catnipgal]

Wow, I've had a solo ball in my tank for months. I wonder if the male fish cringe when they see this?

[Dwarf Puffers]

Congrats, CNG. I didn't have the balls to bump this thread :D (I only have 5 of em)

[dirtydawg10]

:rofl: Thanks for bringing this one back...lol

[catnipgal]

Well, if they can have a thread about dumb blonds (which I think is offending to women and some men with light colored hair), then there is nothing wrong with a thread on moss balls!

[Dwarf Puffers]

Well, if they can have a thread about dumb blonds (which I think is offending to women and some men with light colored hair), then there is nothing wrong with a thread on moss balls!


Here here! :cheers:

[Fish-Addict]

It wont open for me...

Maybe I'm lucky for that ;)

[Jag1980]

They reproduce either asexually, although you might go blind, or sexually.
The spores can settle (often on gravel) and form tuffs and eventually form new balls after a few months. All balls are hairy unless you trim them.

Ball splitting is the best way to divide after they get a decent size and start becoming uncomfertable (for the tank) and taking up too much room. Some balls, when happy, will float up to the top of the tank from pearling. Great balls are always pearling and bob up and down daily.

Regards,
Tom Barr

:uhoh:

[snoopy65]

My ball exploded! Now I have a bunch of mini balls.

[Dwarf Puffers]

I divided one of my balls and now they're fluffy and hairy, and kind of flat. They're threatening to fall apart. What can I do to save my balls?

[mellowvision]

squeeze them daily

[Dwarf Puffers]

squeeze them daily


Oh, I will :lipssealedsmilie:

[Bottomfeeder2]

pervs...?

[Dwarf Puffers]

pervs...?


There there. I know you only have one little ball, Bottomfeeler.

[Bottomfeeder2]

how would you know?


you looking or something?
******!!

[Dwarf Puffers]

how would you know?


you looking or something?
******!!


I know because you wanted to shove carrots up your one lonely little ball :D

[timbo83]

this thread has made my day. this id good stuff. by the way my fry love my 2 balls

[tennesseemom]

Did this thread really start in 2003?!

[BreezeRuehls]

Wow, whats in a name! Apparently big o'll balls, wow

[dixienut]

weird i see no pics here and i feel real dirty reading this,.. can't tell if people are talking about marimo balls or guys in a hot tub???????

lol i leaving this thread now,.. feeling ashamed...........:perv:

[mel_20_20]

weird i see no pics here and i feel real dirty reading this,.. can't tell if people are talking about marimo balls or guys in a hot tub???????

lol i leaving this thread now,.. feeling ashamed...........:perv:


Me, too! What she said.
:rofl:

[ChilDawg]

Did this thread really start in 2003?!

Yes, and I had thought that it had mercifully ended then, too.

Any chance we can get the tags removed? They seem to encourage necroposting more than anything else...

[Dwarf Puffers]

Yes, and I had thought that it had mercifully ended then, too.

Any chance we can get the tags removed? They seem to encourage necroposting more than anything else...


Wave to yourself, back 6 years ago...

[catnipgal]

Yes, and I had thought that it had mercifully ended then, too.

Any chance we can get the tags removed? They seem to encourage necroposting more than anything else...

Well, if they remove the thread about moss balls, then they should have to remove the dumb blond thread.

[ChilDawg]

Meh, I didn't say remove the thread (though it's old), but the whole tag idea makes it so that old threads show up at the bottom of a page, and people click on them and reply. Look at the dates in the threads at the bottom of this page...

[rocker92]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iB34tVsbBw

[AquaGem]

weird i see no pics here and i feel real dirty reading this,.. can't tell if people are talking about marimo balls or guys in a hot tub???????

lol i leaving this thread now,.. feeling ashamed...........:perv:

Oddly enough, I didn't feel that way until I read this. I mean, I figured, it's AC. Nothing bad here! I think I'm going to back away slowly now... you're passing along the shame!

[Reefscape]

Were done here..


Closed..