Moss Collection Help

[Layna]

Hey all-

First off, in the picture in this link, what type of moss is it?

https://www.vivariumforum.com/communi...261&ppuser=565

Second, I want to try to grow some moss of my own. Where is the best place to get it from? Outside or the internet (is moss even sold on the internet?).

I have a spare 5 gallon container and piece of drift wood I'd like to grow it on.

[Layna]

Ah the joys of Google. I learn a bit on moss, still have yet to identify the one in the link above. I'll try and gather it outside. I do have two questions though...

1. Do I need to gather it from the anchored point or can I give it a hair cut and take clippings?

2. Has anyone tried this technique for growing it?

How to Grow Moss for Your Garden | eHow.com

[rsfrid]

Layna, I don't have an answer to what kind, but I end up with moss similar to that you show in my damp Orchidarium. I don't do anything to culture it. The mist king system comes on every 4 hours for 5 seconds and "wets" down the inside plants. I suspect one (or more) of the miniature orchids came in with moss or moss spores/cells and they spred from there. If you end up with a spare tank lying around, why not set up fogger in it and run it briefly at times during day? Or better yet, why not just grab a chunk of moss (roots and all) from the woods, place it on a bed of sphagnum, mist it down with a hand mister a few times a day? Keep lid on tank to hold the humidity. Mine stays over 90% 24/7 even though I only mist 12-14 hours during lights-on period. I really don't think growing moss would be hard, but then I haven't done it as a collection.

[Layna]

So it does need light to grow, a Full Spectrum bulb I'd assume. Please correct me if I am wrong. Also with the spare 5 gallon tank I have it has a screen lid, it I cover that with plastic wrap that should keep the humidity up, right?

[rsfrid]

Well, let me say that while I don't grow moss as a hobby I end up growing moss as a side-line What I mean by this is I don't know the exact answer to your questions however I do know what happens in my tank. I run a bank of 4 48" t5 flourescents and the moss is about 20" away. That should equate to approx 750 FCs of light. You could achieve that easily with a large compact florescent bulb from Home Depot (say something in the 20-30 watt size). Yes your 5-gallon should work (I don't have personal experience but what I do know is the higher the humidity, the better. If you close the top, you'll need to "vent" the tank daily to allow fresh air in. The best way is a tiny 12-volt fan running constantly inside the tank with a piece of glass on top. Leave the glass on all the time except when you water the moss. Please understand, this is all a guess on my part, but this is what I would start with. If you collect the moss in the woods, it's free, so nothing's lost if mold takes over. If mold takes over, it means you need more ventilation (or air circulation).

My large tank has one 3" fan running 24/7 to circulate air. It has another through-wall fan I run approx 3 times a week (or when I remember) to bring fresh air into tank. If your 5-gal is sealed, then a 3" 12-volt fan should be fine. See Coralife 3-1/8" Cooling Fan Kit This is the fan(s) I use. I have 4 of them right now and like them a lot.

[Rainfrog]

if you are going to cover the tank with glass or plastic dont invest in a full 0spectrum bulb. the uv rays dont pass through glass or plastic