moss
moss
I ordered some last year and split it between a jar and my aquarium. I think I might've harvested too much from the aquarium one day, and what was left didn't make it. Luckily, the jar portion survived our California winter. Today, I decided to give it another shot in my 240-gallon tank, but it's currently in terrestrial mode with those long, leafy stems - not weeping like I'd like. Has anyone successfully transitioned land-form moss to aquatic and had it thrive?
Re: moss
You could use it as a sort of dangling plant, partially submerged in the water. I experimented with this approach a few years ago when java moss was out of my budget. Unfortunately, it created a mess.
I've got a nearby stream with moss-covered banks, but none of it grows underwater. I think that's telling. If it hasn't adapted to submerged growth in its natural environment, it's unlikely to thrive when we try to force it.
I've got a nearby stream with moss-covered banks, but none of it grows underwater. I think that's telling. If it hasn't adapted to submerged growth in its natural environment, it's unlikely to thrive when we try to force it.
Re: moss
I gave this a shot a while back, and it worked out pretty well for me. First, find some moss and get a separate container or tank, along with some string and a rock or driftwood to attach it to. Rinse the moss to get rid of any bugs, then tie it onto the hardscape. Next, put it in a cycled tank and leave it undisturbed for about a month. That's the key - give it time to adjust. After a few weeks underwater, it'll look completely different - it'll start hanging down more. If it's still alive at this point, you can safely transfer it to your main tank.
Re: moss
I used to be on the same page as you, Lynnerzer, but seeing how these tropical mosses breeze through winters has got me wondering if native mosses could adapt to life underwater if they had to. Julia, did you actually try this with native mosses and they thrived in the aquarium? Time to get experimenting, I think.