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Can you break apart moss balls and attach the moss to driftwood?

48K views 16 replies 10 participants last post by  Luke92 
#1 ·
I bought a moss ball today with the intention to attach it to driftwood. However, now that i'm researching it, did I get the wrong type of moss?

Is what I want possible with a common moss ball?
 
#3 ·
I suppose, theoretically, you could tear the moss ball.. Most people like them because they're round though.

It probably won't ever attach to the wood. I agree, a 'real' moss would work better... Willow, flame, java, christmas, starry, you have lots of options.
 
#5 ·
I don't see Java moss for sale much, but occasionally come across it at my LFS. When it is starting out, you need to attach it to something or weigh it down. It takes a while before it attaches itself. Often, at first it appears brown. Don't give up. I had mine weighted with gravel on driftwood and I think that I lost much of it through the filter, but that was around December and now I have a bit of green java moss that is clearly attached to the wood.
 
#6 ·
moss balls will not attach to objects in the tank. some aquascapers use nylon fishnets to tie the moss to wood, which is neat but the moss ball does not attach naturally.

java moss and various other mosses can be found for cheap online. Aquabid often has people selling these plants with free shipping.
 
#7 ·
If you go to the classifieds or just look around online, you might be able to find some cladophora algae that will attach easily.

It's an invasive algae, and technically the same species as the moss ball. (Just doesn't stay in a ball)
I'm sure you could get it for free..

Here's an ADA entry called 'Algae-scape' that uses it extensively.
 
#8 ·
I has this one, its sometimes sold as a moss ball, and its TERRIBLE. very hard to control, lots and lots of trimming.... i tried it in a betta tank for a while, became so unmanagable. I was trimming it down every other day because it was growing so unevenly and quickly.
 
#14 ·
Pretty certain I have real marimo moss attached to wood. I've had mine for 4 years or so and it never attached to anything before. I rubber banded it to some wood and while it didn't attach I think some of it transfered to the wood because once I gave up and removed the original piece the moss started growing there. Whatever it is its growing really really slow.
 
#15 · (Edited)
You might find someone that can ship you some Java moss in this forum. Post that you want some java moss. It grows fast and can be shipped in an envelope with it wrapped in wet paper towel and in a plastic zip lock bag. Going back east with the heat wave I would pay someone for the priority mail small flat rate box cost is $4.95 ship Monday you will get it on Wednesday.

If I had more I would send you some. I have java moss and java ferns attached to driftwood that I weighed down with rocks til it got water logged. I used clear fishing line to attched the ferns and java moss. If you use driftwood at the beach boil it first or anything you get in a river or stream to kill any bad stuff in it. You can also use those leaded aquarium anchos for plants to attach to the bottom of some java fern and have it grow like that on the bottom. I also use a plastic suction cup and put a hole thu that and put a tie wrap thu and push some java moss thu that to have it like a floating tank plant. This keeps it from moving around in your tank.

Just so you know Java moss and java ferns can grow in a low light tanks. I'm not sure about the Christmas moss you would have to look that up. I just have a standard fluorescent bulb that came with my tank, no C02, light on for 9 hrs on a timer.
 
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