Wow I've heard a few people talking about the high price of moss balls lately. I got two about a year ago, both about 2" across, for like 5 bucks each. I just cut one of them up into 4 smaller ones so we'll see how they do.
For low end brackish, there seems to be several options. Java moss and java fern both work, as well as some vals. I have java moss and java fern in my brackish tank at a SG of about 1.011, and the java fern isn't dead but its not growing either. The java moss is pretty brown and doesn't really grow much. If you have a ton of light and some patience, and a lot of room, mangroves will grow in brackish, but they take some care to get them started and thriving.
For low end brackish, there seems to be several options. Java moss and java fern both work, as well as some vals. I have java moss and java fern in my brackish tank at a SG of about 1.011, and the java fern isn't dead but its not growing either. The java moss is pretty brown and doesn't really grow much. If you have a ton of light and some patience, and a lot of room, mangroves will grow in brackish, but they take some care to get them started and thriving.