MOSS BALL

[Sploke]

I had a few of these and the cladophora algae now covers my gravel and driftwood and plants as well. I'm not sure what causes this, because it doesn't happen to everyone, although I know other people have had the same problem. Its almost like hair algae except a little denser, and nothing eats it. Never again.

 

[skyypeaches]

I had a few of these and the cladophora algae now covers my gravel and driftwood and plants as well. I'm not sure what causes this, because it doesn't happen to everyone, although I know other people have had the same problem. Its almost like hair algae except a little denser, and nothing eats it. Never again.

did it take long for it to grow? I've been trying to grow mine for about a month but I read they are REALLY slow growers. How did you get them to cover your surface?

 

[Sploke]

I didn't do anything, it just kind of happened. The moss balls never really gained much size while I had them, but the algae definitely spread.

And as a side note, I am not saying that the clado covering everything in my tank is a positive addition. Its choked out my plants, and engulfs my driftwood, and gathers all sorts of detritus, making the tank a real pain to clean. Some might like the look, but I'm just trying anything I can to get rid of the dang stuff.

 

[skyypeaches]

I didn't do anything, it just kind of happened. The moss balls never really gained much size while I had them, but the algae definitely spread.

And as a side note, I am not saying that the clado covering everything in my tank is a positive addition. Its choked out my plants, and engulfs my driftwood, and gathers all sorts of detritus, making the tank a real pain to clean. Some might like the look, but I'm just trying anything I can to get rid of the dang stuff.

I wish that would happen to mine haha but I guess I just have a natural simpke tank with no filters and I think i just got some light for it so it's just sitting there chilling..

 

[harlie_honey]

Hi guys,
Yes, the true Moss Balls are the Marimos. They can be shaped however you want them. I personally like the sphere shape & yes, you have to gently sqeeze them out once in awhile from different angles so it keeps its shape & you have to rotate them only monthly to keep the sphere shape. If you want it to grow flat, then just flatten it, submerge it & flip it monthly. The floating moss balls are NOT the same thing. I don't know anything about these but I just love the Marimos. I've had my Marimos for several months now. They do grow very slow! I have 1 in my RCS tank w/a few Red Rams. The shrimp & snails are always on the marimo ball feeding off of the debris.

 

[Que]

If this is what started my clado bits here and there then I'm kinda POed a little too. It isn't bad in my tanks but I did remove the balls. If this gets out of control then never again for me either. And of course I had to see how they looked in all my tanks before I put 2 and 2 together.

So far not a big problem. I use ferts sparingly though and maybe that has helped keep it down.

Q

 

[skyypeaches]

so after reading this thread I decided to clean my marimo balls. Unfortunately I treated it a bit too roughly and poked through the hollow centre. ended up ripping it into 7 little pieces instead. am going to try rolling them to form mini marimo balls but they are kinda rough looking right now. eeek.

 

[ciaobella7122]

I put thread through my marimo and it hangs because it floats and then goes to the bottom and crushes stuff. It was driving me nuts so now it's a permenant floater! It looks good though and it's growing ever so slowly. My fish like to lay on top of it which is pretty cute to watch! I bought it on sale for like $3 and now I wish I'd bought more.

 

[zzyzx85]

...I thought I was the only one who believes that their clado algae problem was a result of a marimo ball. There's some people who believe its simply a rumor but with more people chiming in, seems like its a possible explanation.

I had a marimo ball in my tank but I took it out and put it in a jar in the kitchen window sill. Now it pearls all the time in the jar. Quite nice looking in there.

 

[Que]

That may end up being what I do with mine.

Q