Choosing the right mesh for a moss wall: plastic, stainless, or fiberglass?

[BadgersSong]

I'm working on a rice paddy biotope and I'm thinking of adding a Christmas moss wall in the back. Since the water's only 6" deep, I'm not too concerned about rigidity. I've had success growing moss in the past, but this is my first time trying a wall. What substrate do you guys recommend for a moss wall? I'm open to any advice or experiences you can share.

[coltin]

I'd suggest using a plastic mesh with a 1-inch grid pattern, should provide a good base for your christmas moss wall.

[BadgersSong]

1 inch squares seem quite large for a moss wall, don't you think?

[shakinStevens]

I'd advise against using window fiberglass screen for your moss wall. The issue is the resin that bonds the fiberglass together - we just don't know if it's safe for aquarium use. If it were just plain fiberglass, I'd say it's fine. But that resin is a wild card. On the other hand, stainless steel is a safe choice, but it can scratch acrylic tanks, so that's something to consider.

[coltin]

I'm working on a rice paddy biotope and I'm thinking of adding a Christmas moss wall in the back. Since the water's only 6" deep, I'm not too concerned about rigidity. I've had success growing moss in the past, but this is my first time trying a wall. What substrate do you guys recommend for a moss wall? I'm open to any advice or experiences you can share.

1 inch squares are big enough for small fish to swim through, but small enough for Java Moss and other aquatic mosses to cling to. The plant will cover a lot of ground quickly and after a few months, the mesh will be fully obscured. I've had experience with moss in ponds before - we'd pull out massive clumps and sheets that were 6 feet long and required multiple people to lift.

[Lurcher]

@coltin I'm curious if 10mm sq holes in a mesh would be suitable for Heterandria Formosa. Their slender bodies might just fit, but I'm not sure about the mesh size being large enough for them to easily pass through.