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Java Moss and Java Fern

9K views 6 replies 4 participants last post by  yyankeeyankeefan 
#1 ·
I just did the rockwork in my new 29g. I bought a bunch of anacharis and a handful of java moss. I already have some java fern in another tank.

I've seen pictures of tanks where the rock was just covered in both plants. How do I get this to happen? If I take apart the java moss clump and stick it between some rocks, will it grab onto the rocks and grow all over? Will java fern do the same sort of thing? I've seen people rubber band or stable it to driftwood, but I don't have any driftwood in this tank yet and want some nice plant growth all over my rocks.

The rocks aren't as rough as lava rock but aren't as smooth as round river stones, either. They're fairly large so are just stacked up, not glued together at all.
 
#2 ·
Leave the Java moss anywhere else you want and they'll just anchor firmly later on. Java ferns need to be tied though as these tend to float to the surface.
 
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#7 ·
thank you. i ordered some java moss and wanted to get that "attached feel". was thinking of making a carpet but i like the idea of covering up some of my fake driftwood (no pet store here sells real driftwood for some reason!!) it will really excite my pleco to feel so hidden in the darkness of a java moss log... :lol:
 
#3 ·
Gotcha. I've definitely noticed this with my java fern. If I stick the rhizomes in between two rocks, will it anchor in and thrive? Or should I just let the java moss colonize the rocks and save the fern for the driftwood, since it'll be easier to attach to that than to rocks?
 
#4 ·
iamntbatman said:
Gotcha. I've definitely noticed this with my java fern. If I stick the rhizomes in between two rocks, will it anchor in and thrive? Or should I just let the java moss colonize the rocks and save the fern for the driftwood, since it'll be easier to attach to that than to rocks?
Better save the fern for the wood. I just don't think ferns can really attach firmly to a rock more than it can with wood. I tried the rocks and it detaches after a few months.:?
 
#5 ·
When you get the driftwood you can just tie the roots of the java fern to it with thread (you could try this with the rock as well, I've got java fern attached to PVC in my tank). By the time the thread dissolves the java fern should be firmly attached to whatever you tied it to. It looks nicer in the meantime than rubber bands.
 
#6 ·
Regular sewing thread? I'm sure I've got some brown thread laying around. I'm definitely going to give this a shot. Fern for the driftwood, moss for the rocks. I wish I had a digital camera; this tank is starting to look really nice. I can't wait to get some fish in there!
 
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