I tried this but the java moss eventually died. But then again, I must be the only who CAN'T grow java moss. I've tried three times and all times they just turned brown. 
Java Moss Question
- Thread starter MikeO
- Start date
The biggest problem with this is keeping it "low" and tied down. I had a carpet of it, but it was a real pain trying to train it to grow sideways instead of up. The other problem I encountered was that it becomes a nice mechanical filter, so you get all sorts of schmutz stuck in it, and finding a way to clean it that was vigorous to remove the gunk, yet gentle enough to not uproot it was difficult. I eventually scrapped the idea after about a year. It does fabulous on rocks & stumps, etc., though.
My experience with Java moss is that it is extremely invasive on anything it can cling to. Don't take this wrong, I like the stuff, but I find it to be a real PITA to control. if you spread it out on/in your substrate, it will grow in every direction including up,you can trim it pull it, cut it, smash it etc. and in a few days there will be more growing somewhere nearby. it would eventually fill in all the blanks, but you will need to keep it pulled off of the plants you want to grow above it, and you will need to keep it trimmed short to prevent it smothering out thoses same plants. Don't let me scare you the stuff is easy to remove from most surfaces, but it really does grow everywhere it lands. And as said it is a decent mechanical filter, but once it starts growing, your last concern will be whether or not you uproot it. I try really hard to uproot mine every week when I vaccum, even when you think you've sucked it all out a few days later there it is growing again.
Dave
Dave
I have my suspicions,
It really isn't a bad plant, and I haven't tried to eradicate it from any of my tanks but I pitch a couple pounds of it every week, and it seems to still be everywhere in my tanks.
I cut a handfull a week from my 5 gallon or else the few fish in it have no where to swim. Mine grows on the glass with no problem, I just initially let it take off. Now if I could just get my betta to stop getting stuck in it.
the tank I have is doing great with it I ended up killing my fish about 2 weeks ago still testing water to determine how "suspect" sponge for cleaning tanks was used elsewhere :rant: :mad2 "kill roommates" but the plants are doing terrific once I know tank is safe again I will restock and possibly try something a bit different than my tiger barbs "suggestions"
There is a way to plant JF in your substrate. Just bury the roots. Do not bury the Rhisome. It will rot!
