pruning java moss

[wickerman]

i got some java moss in one of my tanks,its looking a bit long a thready.
Is it ok to give it a haircut? and will this make it grow stronger?..what im after is for it to cover all my rockwork like a carpet,but to stay at 1 inch in length.

 

[kveeti]

Yes, you can cut it back all you want. Can you take the rockwork out to trim it? Otherwise you'll have mega-bits floating everywhere. I used to find the easiest way was to put my stones with the moss upside-down in a basin, lift and then with the strands hanging, trim it evenly with scissors; swish anything loose off and put back in the tank.

 

[Captain Hook]

I usually turn my filter off and trim it with scissors or by hand, depending on how I'm feeling. Scissors are much neater and more controllable though. If there are bits floating around, like kvetti mentioned, I take a net and scooop them out.

I've heard that pruning java moss makes it grow more dense and with more side shoots (don't know the technical name).

 

[beviking]

If you're coordinated enough, you can trim while running a small diameter syphon to suck up the pieces you've cut. Use something other than your foot to hold the hose in the bucket though...get's a little chaotic when you notice the water right at the top, you have both hands in the tank, one foot on the bucket, and your wife yelling "Don't let it get on the carpet!!!!"

 

[deeplove]

I've had my head slapped by my wife when trimming plants.

:rant: