Java Moss Maintenance?

[Grymatta]

How do you keep your Java Moss in check?

My Moss has become this clump of tangled mass that always gets sucked up by my gravel vacc, filter, or entangled over all my other plants.

I've heard that moss grow them on top of a lattice or framework...how is this done?

Are there any other ways to manage java moss?

thanks!

 

[Pure]

you basically have to use fishing line and "stitch" it to the lattice.

 

[Grymatta]

whats a good material to build a lattice with? ice cream popiscle sticks? those plastic eggcrates? mesh?

thanks!

edit: I just found something on Dr Fosters and Smith called the Moss Covered Coconut. I was thinking of doing the same thing. If I buy a coconut from a fruit stand, do you think I need to cure it or dry it out somehow before putting it in my tank?

heres the link with pic of the coconut moss...

Aquatic Plants for Freshwater Aquariums: Moss Covered Coconut Hut

 

[Mahamotorworks]

You will need to clean all the meat out of the coconut(the white stuff) After that I think it should be ok. You may want to boil it just to make sure.

MAHA

 

[Grymatta]

thanks! I assume I can just tie down the java moss with fishing line until it takes hold on the coconut shell?

 

[Mahamotorworks]

Yup, The moss will grab hold of almost everything, Gravel Filter tubes. If you had a slow enough fish it would grow on it.

MAHA

 

[Helena21]

I have a coconut hut with java moss. I bought a whole coconut, chopped it in half and took out the white stuff, then I mad a hole for the fishes.

I used fishing line to tie mine down.

 

[Grymatta]

helena21...did you airdry the coconut, boil, or do anything else special after scooping out the meat? I'm just wondering if theres some sorta "curing" process to the coconut..like driftwood.

 

[Helena21]

nope, i just washed it really well in hot water

 

[Guysy1110]

I have mine tied onto a bamboo stick. its growing very well even though it was already half dead when i tied it onto the bamboo

I have a coconut shell in my tank. just make sure its washed well and it will be fine.

 

[TheFighterFish]

Rubber bands are not bad either. You just have to bear with the look a few weeks and then the java moss grows outward and covers the rubber band.

I usually attach mine to rocks. Slate, most of the time.

 

[angel51431]

I've heard of taking a hair net and using it to... secure a bunch of java moss to a rock. It'd just look stupid for a little while, but once it grows out of the net it takes on this perfectly round bush look. Just that there's no cave like a hollow coconut shell would provide.

 

[Grymatta]

thanks for all the wonderful new ideas guys..I might have to try some of them. As it is, I have my coconut shell ready..just need to tie down my moss..