FishProfiles.com Message Forums

Recently, I saw an intriguing picture of a ill made fromjava moss, which looked nothing like java mass at all. How does one create this effect? By tying it to DW and pruning, or what?

I read this somewhere recently but I can't remember where and haven't tried it myself! :%)

Apparently what you do is get half a coconut shell, and spread your java moss over the surface to about 1 cm thick all over. Don't do it in a big clump, but tease the strands of moss out and press them on a few at a time.

When the shell is completely covered you spray it thoroughly with water. Then you take a saucer of water, sit the shell in it, and put a clear glass bowl upside down over the shell. Put the saucer in a bright window (not direct sunlight though).

Keep the water topped up in the saucer and rotate it for even growth. Soon you should see bright green new growth on the moss, and it should have rooted into the coconut shell. Then you can put it in your tank.

Like I say I've never tried this but I would love to see it done. Maybe someone could try it and take photos of their progress? Also this idea of growing java moss emersed but in a humid chamber is an interesting one - I'd like to know how successful it is.

One more thought - wouldn't you need to drill holes in the coconut shell so it didn't fill with stagnant water or toxic gasses once it's in the tank?

I have never done that, but it does sound like a sound idea. I have had Java Moss grow up and out of a tank. Several of my 2 1/2 gal tanks I use to breed killis, have java moss in them for the eggs to be laid on. As it has gotten larger, it had attached itself to the rim of the tank, and actually grown up, out, and over the edge of the lip of the tank. It has been this way for several years. Kinda neat, as it is more of a mat of short pieces verses the long floating pieces in the tank.

_____________________________________________________________

There is always a bigger fish...

There are a number of ways of doing it. The mountain of moss effect is very popular here in Asia. Actually there is a shop in a s y shopping mall here in Jakarta called Java Moss. It is actually one of these places that design and maintain beautiful planted tanks for the rich and lazy, so it is actually more of a show room . Their designs are based around huge mountains of Java Moss. I have tried to have a look at how they do it. It seems they actually make structures and stands made and shaped out of fine wire mesh with the moss attached to the mesh. Looks incredibly time consuming. I have also noticed that they tend to use different varieties of moss like Willow and Christmas moss which gives a neater effect.

One more thought - wouldn't you need to drill holes in the coconut shell so it didn't fill with stagnant water or toxic gasses once it's in the tank?

Whetu,

The idea is to use just a curved portion of cocunut shell, not and entire hollowed shell. Kind of like an archway. This way the water can flow thru the archway and not get stuck in one place.

Corkbark can also be used or even styrofoam backgrounds. Java Moss has no roots and will eventually attach to just about anything if the surface is not too smooth or slick. For attaching to backgrounds it can even be stapled in place.

---

Some days you're the pigeon and some days you're the statue.

Remember that age and treachery will always triumph over youth and ability.

oooh that showroom sounds stunning bensaf

Thanks for the info - now I get it. So you'd end up with a moss arch that really does sound rather appealing. I hope someone tries it soon and shows us what it looks like
*nudges noodles*

The pics were hard to get, and are not the greatest, but you can see the java moss growing up and out of the tank. This stuff is actually growning about 6-8 inches down the back of the tank. It is like a matt.


[/font][/font]

_____________________________________________________________

There is always a bigger fish...

Java Moss, eh? Showroom, eh? Those rich and lazy $#!%s.

Wow, thanks for all the info guys, especially marc for the pics.

Whetu, this all sounds quite difficult (where the heck do I get coconut shells?---none of the rocks that I have look remotely like something I'd think of using as a java moss hill) I'll try it, but if it ends up being too difficult, I'm going to take the lazy way out and just go with riccia. .

Last edited by Cup_of_Lifenoodles at 23-Nov-2004 23:40

You can get coconut shells at many different grocery stores, and especially produce stores. You just buy the whole coconut, cut it with a saw. Or take a hammer to it, but you may not get the shape you want. After you cut it open, drain the milk out, very taste stuff, then peel or scrape the rine out of the inside. Save this for your wife, mom, sister, or whoever is a good cook. Rinse it off, and it is ready to use.

_____________________________________________________________

There is always a bigger fish...

No rotting?

I have some in use as breeding caves that are over 10 years in the tanks, nicely covered in algae or java moss, and the plecos and other algae eaters leave them alone as well.

Last edited by ACIDRAIN at 24-Nov-2004 05:09

_____________________________________________________________

There is always a bigger fish...

I'm going to take the lazy way out and just go with riccia.

Noodles,

Riccia is a lot lot more work to keep then Java Moss. Needs serious work to keep intact and looking good.

Last edited by bensaf at 24-Nov-2004 07:19

---

Some days you're the pigeon and some days you're the statue.

Remember that age and treachery will always triumph over youth and ability.

Hmmm this project is getting ever so tempting sounding, but I might have my parents have a go @cutting the coconut shell, I was traumatizing myself with images of my slicing my thumb off cutting an acorn squash (couldnt figure out how I'd drive myself to the hospital without getting blood inside my car >.< ...and yes whetu I thought you know who could come to the rescue again ).

Anyway....since I'll be home for thanksgiving I might just see if I can get some parental help with this....I've got a bunch of java moss so we'll see how it goes....might go with a modified versian using the CD-spindle cave I created .
*goes back to singing one tree hill*


^_^
[link=H2g2]http://hitchhikers.movies.go.com/upgrade.html" style="COLOR: #EB4288[/link] 2005 Don't Leave Home Without it[/font]

I thought riccia only required the light, CO2, and occasional replanting?

Noodles,

Riccia is a floating plant. Keeping it submerged is something it's not built for. So keeping it down is a lot of work - with constant trimming. If it get's to long the bottom rots because of lack of light and the top goes floating to the surface. By long I mean a couple of inches. And yes if submerged it does need a lot of light.

Java Moss you just tie it to desired location and drop it in and walk away. Even with the cocconut shell idea I don't think it's neccessary to do the mini greenhouse thing to get to attach. Just tie or staple to the shell plop it in - forget about it, it'l take care of itself. Once a month or so you can take it out and rinse it under the tap to get rid of any debris or give it a "haircut" - plop it back in for another month.

---

Some days you're the pigeon and some days you're the statue.

Remember that age and treachery will always triumph over youth and ability.

And noodles, I keep my riccia as a floating plant in a 55 gal fry tank. Only light, single NO made for the tank. Just run of the mill cheap ole grow light. No CO2, and two large sponge filters running rather high air through them. I throw away more than I give away and/or sell. This stuff grows like a weed when floating, and not filter to suck it up. Very easily kept.

_____________________________________________________________

There is always a bigger fish...