Moss Moss Moss

[hagis30]

Ok everyone, I know the moss question has been around awhile but...with my latest viv I am looking for a fast grower that will be the floor cover. I have read riccia is good but must be tied down and I have seen java but isn't that an under water aquarium plant? This is the last thing I am looking for to put the finishing touches on mine and my son's so far great construction.

Thank you all again for the great info and awesome forum!

[eos]

Java moss will grow outside of water... you just have to keep it wet and well lit. It will look different from how it looks underwater, but given the right conditions, it should take off and take over any wet piece of wood or substrate. Same goes with riccia, but a lot of folks have had bad luck with it as it grows slower than java moss outside of water.

[beckdg]

kyoto moss, pillow moss...

[Epiphile]

I'd second Java moss if you want something fast- you can gets loads of it cheap from aquarium hobbyists (and watch for the look on their faces when you tell them you're going to grow it out of water), and it doesn't take long to get going.

[beckdg]

come to think about it i can probably send you a nice fist full of java moss.

[DazzleDiscus]

Brian at Brianstropicals.com uses both java and riccia and talks about what he likes/dislikes about them. He has pics of both in his tanks, which will give you an idea as to the growth habit of each of them: brianstropicals.com/building

riccia stays very short which is great for foreground and waterfall areas. Java moss can grow rather tall for a moss and has a jungly appearence. Brian suggusts keeping bigger dart frogs in java moss tanks so that the moss gets trampled down in place. He specializes in darts btw- and his basement has over 50 dart tanks! (but he also breeds zebra plecos and other fish- check out his site, he sells the young and even has unrelated breeders set up for other hobby people like himself.)

*I am not affiliated with Brianstropicals I just found the site not too long ago and was elated with his basement setup! lol

[eos]

Originally Posted by beckdg

come to think about it i can probably send you a nice fist full of java moss.

I'll take that offer, sir! I assume you'd still have some available within the next month or so? That's when I start my next dart viv.

[Epiphile]

Originally Posted by DazzleDiscus

riccia stays very short which is great for foreground and waterfall areas. Java moss can grow rather tall for a moss and has a jungly appearence.

I haven't done Riccia out of water yet, but I've had all sorts of different experiences with Java moss, and I find that a lot of factors can affect how it will grow. I've seen it go really long, pale and somewhat spindly, but I've also had it stay short and a nice deep green. I think it has to do with the amount of light it receives, and also how much water it's getting.

[hagis30]

Wow, thank you everyone! I think I try the Java first and see what happens.
And beck if you have some great if not I'll start making some calls.
Thanks again everyone!

[beckdg]

Originally Posted by eos

I'll take that offer, sir! I assume you'd still have some available within the next month or so? That's when I start my next dart viv.

more than likely... we'll see.

Originally Posted by hagis30

Wow, thank you everyone! I think I try the Java first and see what happens.
And beck if you have some great if not I'll start making some calls.
Thanks again everyone!

i have plenty happy and healthy... pm me if you're interested and we'll set it up. keep in mind i'm growing it aquatically so there'll be an acclimation period most likely.