[DepressedSweater]

I can't seem to find any info about them, Some say that they help clean the water or that they help fight algae, I want to know as much as I can before I invest in one.

 

[redchigh]

They are technically an algae that just grows on itself and forms a ball.

All plants take in co2 and excess nutrients that nuisance algae would normally take advantage of. Plants also harbor beneficial organisms, and produce oxygen.

 

[ao]

They do clean the water...
bur since they grow so slowly they do so at a rather insignificant rate. lol

 

[jaysee]

They roll around the tank, if you have enough current.

 

[Kuddos 2 U]

I haven't really had any good experiences with them. Why? Because I put 1 marimo ball into a 5g tank to get rid of some algae problem as I have heard that it would. 2 weeks later and the algae took over the ball and killed it because it started to turn brown. Actually, it seemed as if it made the tank worse by feeding the algae so I just decide to throw it away and clean the tank out.:-D I still like them because they are good for shrimp tanks, but haven't gotten one ever since.

 

[MoneyMitch]

they are for form over function and need higher light to survive along with other plants in the tank imo anyways

 

[jaysee]

Mine is doing quite well in a tank with a light that only works every 3rd or 4th day. I've only got it and some wisteria in the tank.

 

[ao]

I don't believe they need high light at all~ after all they did originate from a deep cold lake >.>

 

[MoneyMitch]

never had luck with them in any of my past lowlight setups but then again frogbit dies a fast death in my tank too. each system is different just shareing my personal experience/opinion about them ^^

 

[ao]

haha~ oh dear
When I went to Japan, I saw people keeping them in little jars XD
I think it was a goodluck thing or something

 

[DepressedSweater]

Thanks for the reply's. I guess it's not worth it for my 10 gallon.

 

[scott1234]

marimo moss balls

Something to consider; I have 6 marimos in a 55 gal. 3 came from a LFS that kept them in their tanks, the other 3 from a LFS that kept them in seperate cups (like Betta cups). The 3 that were kept in cups have done WONDERFULLY!! Doubled in size quickly, and VERY lush and green. The others have hardly grown, and are more of a brownish-green. My tank is low tech, no CO2, low light. IMO Marimos are a beautiful addition to any aquaria and I would not go without them. So, to sum it up, give them another try, but be aware of how and where you buy them from:-D.....

 

[JDM]

They sit on the bottom looking smug... that's all I can think of for a benefit.

Had one, now I don't have one. They look so out of place in a planted tank.... maybe pop them into the filter as a live media.

I did find that they did much better in a cold water setup with or without lots of light.

Jeff.