Land moss into aquarium?

[Atitagain]

On 11/7 (12-ish days ago) I collected this moss from a mound outside. I thought why not try and convert it into my tank. When I got home I barley cleaned it up placed into containers floating in tank and filled with fertilized tank water where moss was just under waterline with some parts exposed. Changed the water every couple days. The small container I floated close to the light source the big was at the dark end of tank.

you can see I only have lights at one end. Both containers were just now placed in the middle close to light source. I believe (didn’t take a before pic) it has new growth and is doing fine. Don’t see die or melt back. All the info I found says it can be done. Is this ready to be fully submerged?

I have it a through rinsing today.

[Zenzo]

Curious as to the outcome. This looks interesting.

[Streetwise]

I have used terrestrial moss in some aquariums. It can handle some submerged time, just like it can handle snow. However, it does best on emergent wood and rocks at the waterline, where it can wick water, and access air.

[eatyourpeas]

I have terrestrial moss in my Vampire crab tank and it is doing well. It is exposed to a lot of moisture, in some areas fully submerged, and I have yet to see it not liking it.

These conditions support @Streetwise's comments.

Edited November 19, 2021 by eatyourpeas
Added more info.

[Gator]

I tried this about 4 years ago, I tied the moss onto a piece of driftwood and it grew, but I just didn't like the look, it made me feel as if the water in my tank was stagnant.

[Atitagain]

@Streetwise thanks for the video and some inspiration. @eatyourpeas @Gator although I use Java moss I really don’t like it. Maybe I need to learn better care or be more patient with what I have now. It’s very loose and easily scattered. Maybe I need to research different types of aquatic moss find one that suited my needs more. Any suggestions? Something tighter thicker like the land moss I found? Or am I just being impatient with Java, if I give it more time does it tighten/ thicken up?  
I’m gonna cut a piece off and try to grow it submerged because if I don’t like the look of it I have a couple places I can use it where it’s hidden. Then take the rest and do some like @Streetwisehas done in the video. I have a few ideas rattling around already.

[Gator]

@Atitagain; I have a book titled "Aquarium Plants Manual" that should be available at your LFS. In my copy it shows only two types of aquatic plants that look pretty much the same, but only one is truly Java moss. Those are Riccia fluitans, AKA Crystalwort, and the other is Vesicularia dubyana, AKA Java moss. Without an up-close visual inspection of the leaf structure, it's hard to tell the difference between the two, even your LFS may have trouble telling the difference if the original tag for the plant fell off or got lost during transportation.

Both plants will do better in low light, Crystalwort prefers temps between 59 to 86 degrees, 5 to 15 degrees dCH, and a pH between 6.0 to 8.0.

Java moss prefers temps between 68 to 86 degrees, 2 to 15 degrees dCH, and a pH between 5.8 to 7.5.

I don't have or like either of these, in my experience, pieces will break off the main plant and start growing where I don't want them to grow, but some egg-layers love the stuff.

Good luck.

Sincerely

Gator

[Brandon p]

I did some research on this beforeadded to a couple of my tanks. The moss in the NW us is supposed to be some of the best. The kind that is growing on the ground in big sheets and dead trees. I had a tank that looked great  but I had to make it better and messed it up. It was a whole carpet of moss with trees made of moss. Only the the last pic is throw the old tank looked. It’s hard to see much because that was very dark with tannis and there is a window right behind it that has black out curtains 

My Java never grew to well, so I use something similar

[Atitagain]

@Gator thanks for all the info, the book you recommended has went on my list to get. I don’t really like any moss I have seen either. I put a bunch in another tank today tho (Java) because I believe it worked the best from the options I have.

@Brandon p really liking the moss trees, especially in the tank with tannins. I would love to have a couple sheets of some thick moss. Guess I’ll see how this goes, if well I can collect more next spring.

[Jawjagrrl]

I've done this in two of my tanks. Thriving in my 2.5gal shrimp tank, less so in my 5gal portrait except where it is on the "trees". The shrimp moss has put up pretty little tendrils and the shrimp/snails/scuds really enjoy it.

[Atitagain]

On 11/20/2021 at 7:50 PM, Jawjagrrl said:

I've done this in two of my tanks. Thriving in my 2.5gal shrimp tank, less so in my 5gal portrait except where it is on the "trees". The shrimp moss has put up pretty little tendrils and the shrimp/snails/scuds really enjoy it.

Yea I’m definitely giving it a try. Just figuring out how to set something up to use most outside my tank then. Get some going under water and see what happens.

[Jawjagrrl]

On 11/20/2021 at 8:11 PM, Atitagain said:

Yea I’m definitely giving it a try. Just figuring out how to set something up to use most outside my tank then. Get some going under water and see what happens.

I just impulsively added it on setup for the two tanks, no issues. I really like the look of it on my thick "trees" in the Endor tank - one of the trees has a dramatic bend at the upper end, and the kuhli loaches love to recline on/in it. The often look like Dali's melting watches in his famous painting before zipping off to harass the betta.

[Streetwise]

I know folks are discussing both aquatic and terrestrial moss here.

I don’t think that terrestrial moss can survive more than one season underwater, as a survival skill. I don’t see it in the lakes and rivers of Vermont, except at or above the waterline.

[Gator]

@Atitagain; If your LFS doesn't have the book, you can call the publisher at 1-800-645-3476 and ask for "Aquarium Plants Manual," ISBN# 0-8120-1687-4 or go to www.barronseduc.com. This publisher is named 'Barron's" and they have other titles that may be of interest to you and anyone else reading this. I paid $14.95 for my copy from my LFS back in 2005, this book may cost more today, but I don't think it would be much more. There is one other title I have to look at, it's titled "Aquarium Fish Breeding" and has a photo of a pair of Paradise Fish on the cover in the breeding process so if you'll excuse me. 

@Streetwise; You're right, I haven't seen the moss growing deep in the water, but I have seen it grow in some pretty marshy areas and in shallow water, so terrestrial moss must need strong light. 

[Gator]

@Atitagain, @Streetwise, and anyone else reading this post, forget about the Barron's website, the website is all about prearing people for their SAT's, I'll call them on Monday and get back to y'all.

[Atitagain]

@Gator is this it? It’s a paperback version for $6 

Aquarium Plants Manual (Barron's Complete Pet Owner's Manuals (Paperback)) https://www.amazon.com/dp/0812016874/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_RDTYD84C3V77YVMDHX2V

Edited November 21, 2021 by Atitagain
Forgot link

[Atitagain]

On 11/20/2021 at 9:35 PM, Streetwise said:

I know folks are discussing both aquatic and terrestrial moss here.

I don’t think that terrestrial moss can survive more than one season underwater, as a survival skill. I don’t see it in the lakes and rivers of Vermont, except at or above the waterline.

I can’t find info on long term experience really just how to. I agree I think your right. I’m trying to come up with a way to set something up above my 125 and bring water up without a pump. Then flow over/ around the moss on some rocks/ wood then trickle back down into tank.

problem is I’m shut down from spending any $ on tanks till after the holidays. That’s why no pump. Thought of using a Heron’s fountain but don’t know if I could make it work especially will materials I have.

[Gator]

@Atitagain; That's it exactly, and so cheap, even the new books are just a little bit cheaper than mine was brand new, but then again my LFS is in business to make a profit.

[Streetwise]

@Atitagain, if you can get it to touch the waterline, it will wick the water like a sponge. You can also pour all of your new water on it.

[Expectorating_Aubergine]

On 11/20/2021 at 6:17 AM, Gator said:

@Atitagain; I have a book titled "Aquarium Plants Manual" that should be available at your LFS. In my copy it shows only two types of aquatic plants that look pretty much the same, but only one is truly Java moss. Those are Riccia fluitans, AKA Crystalwort, and the other is Vesicularia dubyana, AKA Java moss. Without an up-close visual inspection of the leaf structure, it's hard to tell the difference between the two, even your LFS may have trouble telling the difference if the original tag for the plant fell off or got lost during transportation.

Both plants will do better in low light, Crystalwort prefers temps between 59 to 86 degrees, 5 to 15 degrees dCH, and a pH between 6.0 to 8.0.

Java moss prefers temps between 68 to 86 degrees, 2 to 15 degrees dCH, and a pH between 5.8 to 7.5.

I don't have or like either of these, in my experience, pieces will break off the main plant and start growing where I don't want them to grow, but some egg-layers love the stuff.

Good luck.

Sincerely

Gator

Ummm, those two are extremely easy to tell apart, and riccia likes high light. Ones neon green and the other is a more forest green. Not to mention one's a floater and the other isn't. I keep riccia outside in a pond and in a small bog garden (emersed). 

[Brandon p]

On 11/20/2021 at 8:11 PM, Atitagain said:

Yea I’m definitely giving it a try. Just figuring out how to set something up to use most outside my tank then. Get some going under water and see what happens.

I just gently Rinse the moss and place the sheets in the tank. I did this because the moss would not die but become more lose. It’s not a loss I use it to glue on the tree and as it starts to grow I will just wrap the loose moss on the trees than get busher or on rocks it’s great 

[Brandon p]

On 11/20/2021 at 8:18 PM, laritheloud said:

I'm trying. Maybe I'll shy away from more livebearers for now, though.

 

On 11/20/2021 at 8:11 PM, Atitagain said:

Yea I’m definitely giving it a try. Just figuring out how to set something up to use most outside my tank then. Get some going under water and see what happens.

 

On 11/20/2021 at 9:39 PM, Gator said:

@Atitagain; If your LFS doesn't have the book, you can call the publisher at 1-800-645-3476 and ask for "Aquarium Plants Manual," ISBN# 0-8120-1687-4 or go to www.barronseduc.com. This publisher is named 'Barron's" and they have other titles that may be of interest to you and anyone else reading this. I paid $14.95 for my copy from my LFS back in 2005, this book may cost more today, but I don't think it would be much more. There is one other title I have to look at, it's titled "Aquarium Fish Breeding" and has a photo of a pair of Paradise Fish on the cover in the breeding process so if you'll excuse me. 

@Streetwise; You're right, I haven't seen the moss growing deep in the water, but I have seen it grow in some pretty marshy areas and in shallow water, so terrestrial moss must need strong light. 

My moss has been growing  at the bottom of my 75 for two years and grows fast enough that that I harvest 3 or 4 times a year. 

[Brandon p]

The moss doesn’t grow much in the summer do to raining season. In the dry season the weeds die and the moss grows fast. I have about 5’x5’ area in the yard. I have heard that in place in Washington and Oregon it can cover big areas and that is supposed to work well submerged. I used to live in Maryland and remember big moss patches I can only 

imagine here

[Atitagain]

I came up with trying this before I set up a tank or something to use the moss. I took a piece of plastic canvas added a clip from a tank divider to one end and punched a hole in other end stuck a branch through it.

I have it set touching waterline in spots a millimeter or two above in other spots. Will spray top daily with tank water until I get good growth.

[Brandon p]

On 11/25/2021 at 10:31 PM, Atitagain said:

I came up with trying this before I set up a tank or something to use the moss. I took a piece of plastic canvas added a clip from a tank divider to one end and punched a hole in other end stuck a branch through it.

I have it set touching waterline in spots a millimeter or two above in other spots. Will spray top daily with tank water until I get good growth.

Yes let’s us know how it works. I would love to have a year round supply of moss. I’m May try to tissue culture this way