Java moss, how to use?

icecubez189

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Feb 15, 2006
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I've got a big clump of java moss ($8 worth) currently in my 5G, temporarily.

PICT0829.jpg


eventually it'll be move into my 10G, where three bettas will enjoy it. before i do, i'll need some help in settling it in. i've read people using rocks or driftwood or coconut shells and just placing the java moss on them. eventually they will grow wildly and such. the 10G will be divided using 2 dividers so there will be 3 compartments. the java moss looks delicate, how do i go about in seperating it into 3 clumps? and what should i plant it on? coconut shells looks very interesting but i don't know where to find them.

thanks
 
Just pull it apart. Any tiny piece that may break off will grow. The thinner you spread it (if you're really patient, strand by strand) on whatever, the nicer it ends up. If you tie it in a clump it will still grow but will just grow into a clumpier clump.

Keep checking your grocery store. Mine doesn't often get coconuts, but sometimes they do, and they are very inexpensive.

If you just place the java moss on something inside the tank, you need to tie it down for a while. Use thread or elastic or fishing line. Or, you can follow this method works nice and ends up more even coverage and no tying:

about 2/3 way down under "A moss lawn" but there is lots of other interesting reading on it before and after:
http://www.skepticalaquarist.com/docs/plants/moss.shtml

I used to just tie it onto stones and it grew into nice little hedges, I'll see if I can dig up a pic.

Edit... ok this is an old pic and set up, but you can get the idea. The moss was tied to stones and the stones were wedged between bigger rocks.
q29moss.jpg
 
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good advice. i'll keep a look out for those coconuts. i guess you just gut the meat out, boil the shell, and let it sit it water to leech the tannins out overnight? thanks for the link, a lot of info on java moss. your picture represents exactly what i want to see in my tank. i'll know i have done a good job when my bettas start resting on them!

thanks again
 
Yup, that's what I did with the coconut. Tried eating the innards, too. Yuck. I guess I'm used to processed. But the shells are almost like rock to cut - got my husband to do that, cutting out a little hut door.
 
FWIW...

I started out with a clump that size about 3 months ago, now have it in 3 of my tanks-stuff is growing like weeds!

Didn't tie it down, just stuffed it in nooks and crannies in the poly resin driftwood thingies.

Only problem is the gunk that collects in it, but thats no problem; trim it off and stick in the snail/shrimpie tank. It's clean in a day or two! Half the tank floor is filled with it now, shrimpies like to burrow through it.

You mileage may vary, professional yadda, yadda, yadda!
 
yup, i've seen how hard it is to cut a coconut. i want that hut style look too so my shrimps can hide in it.

the clump is actually bigger than it looks, the hex tank distorts the image. but yeah, im hoping it'll grow like weed so i can harvest it and maybe give it to others. fortunately, i have some amano shrimps in my 20G. thinking about moving them to the 10G when its complete. i'll be sure to post pictures.
 
icecubez189 said:
yup, i've seen how hard it is to cut a coconut. i want that hut style look too so my shrimps can hide in it.

Do you have a dremel or any other rotory tool? They make spiral cutting bits for them and they will cut a coconut shell with no problem.
 
although its not precision cracking, u can take a dull blade and "hack through" a cocnut shell.by cracking it this way, it will give quite easy.
 
i have a B&D firestorm drill, but for some reason the charger won't charge both of the batteries. it has since run out of juice so im guessing drilling is out of the question unless i find someone with one.
 
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