aquarist48

Good afternoon. I went shopping today. Guess what I bought!


I bought 2 XL Marimo Balls $10 each and 2 moss balls $5 each. The moss balls are attached to fishing line with an anchor so they look like they are floating mid tank and you can't see the fishing line.
LOVE 'em! I placed them in my Goldie tank because I have a feeling my Silver Dollars would have a feast on them if I put them in my 265g. Too they should be kept at room temperature (so I've read) with low light so I think they'll do well with the Goldies. The Goldies seem to be cleaning them but not eating them. We'll see. However, on my next trip to town I may purchase a couple more of the Miramo Balls and give the Silver Dollars one for Christmas and see what happens. They feel just too cool Here is a link for those that may not know what they are:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marimo
I hope to find a digital camera next week and will share some photos when I get it.
Thanks!
Ken

MissMTS

That's awesome Ken I love Marimo Balls! I bet they look great in your tank. It sounds like you got a great deal too. They are pretty expensive around here.

sirdarksol

Cool! I love marimo!
The goldies will likely take a shine to the taste of the moss balls. Mine loved both Java moss and Christmass moss.

aquarist48

Hello Kate. Thanks. I couldn't believe my local PetCo had them. I love the way they look and I've wanted some ever since I saw them a few months ago here on Fish Lore. Along with the new Ball additions I have 1 annubia and Java Moss (gift from a Fish Lore member) and they are all doing well much to my surprise. The Goldies haven't bothered them so I hope they don't do any damage to my new Marimos.

I guess I can now say I have a planted tank since I have all real plants? It's my first! lol

Crossing my fingers SDS!
Ken

JaneAustenAddict

They look so cool! I need to get my hands on one... or two...

I am sure the tank is looking awesome now. Can't wait for those pics!

Tony G.

wow! they look awesome! i thought they were called moss balls LOL

i cant wait untill you get your new camera too LOL

aquarist48

Thanks folks. Tony the moss balls and Marimo Balls are different types of moss. They look and even feel different. The moss balls float and the Marimos do not. I looked for a camera today and didn't have any luck. I'm going to Sam's and Costco next week (an hour away) so I will come home with some type of digital camera!
Ken

sirdarksol

Tony: Marimo are a specific kind of algae from a Japanese lake. Moss balls are usually Java or Christmas moss tied around a ball.

Aquarist: have the Marimo not floated at all? They usually go through a cycle of floating and sinking that corresponds with their respiratory cycle.

Tony G.

oh LOL
(not fish related)
Costco has really good sales lately, that's where ive gotten most of my electronic stuff and it is worth it. They have some pretty good cameras too

aquarist48

Hello SDS...I just added them to the tank and they gently sunk to the bottom. I noticed one of the Goldies picking at it and it does move around easily. I can't see that the Goldies are doing any damage. It seems like they are picking the cooties (detritus) out of it. I guess I'll find out for sure when I have a big ole brown ball in my tank. LOL
Ken

sirdarksol

Over the next few days, you'll likely see them floating and sinking, alternately.
I doubt you'll ever find them to be brown. If the goldfish decide they like 'em, they'll just shrink over time.
I know that the algae grows fast enough that they can handle regular "pruning" at least from smaller tank inhabitants.

Regal

It's offiicial!

Congrats on the live plants ken! Now just don't forget that you have fish When you get plants it adds a whole new aspect to the hobby and it's easy to get sidetracked.

aquarist48

Thanks for the tips SDS! I appreciate it.
Thanks Sue! I'll try not to get side tracked but I would like to get some more plants for my Goldies just to see how and if they grow.
Ken

iloveengl

Awesome find! They are so much fun (and really easy to take care of). Heh...hopefully the goldies don't find them too appealing. And I bet the parrots would like to poke at them too. My mollies are always poking mine around the tank.

I'm also realizing that I must have marimo balls, not moss balls. Just learned something new.

harpua2002

Congrats on the new plants Ken! I also picked up my Marimo ball at Petco. My betta Cowboy likes to pick stuff off of it and I see the ghost shrimp hanging out on it quite a bit too.

Lucy

Oh Ken, they sounds so cool. I've read about them before but always thought they were made out of java moss.
Can't wait for the pictures.

TedsTank

Sounds like the goldies can be their caregivers if they don't eat them. They should keep them moving and clean for best growth!!!! Your link had nice easy info!!! Enjoy!

eiginh

That's great to hear Ken! I really like marimo balls, I even planned to purchase it sometime but changed my mind to get something else. If you have driftwood you can flatten out the marimo balls and place it on the driftwood. It looks really nice as if the driftwood grew the marimo algae.

Attached Images

dwwitmossball.jpg (45.9 KB, 74 views)

Shawnie

wow awesome!!!! I want some!!! course with my choice of stores, id have a better chance of winning the lottery!

iloveengl

Woah that's a cool idea.

aquarist48

Thanks for all of the tips and comments. If I'm able to purchase some more on my next trip to town I'm going to try one in my 265g. I agree that the Bloody Parrots would probably have a blast with them but with having Silver Dollars in the same tank I don't know that the Marimo Balls would last a day. The Silver Dollars can devour a "large" romaine lettuce leaf in 1 hour. (being plant eaters) Hopefully the PetCo will have more.
Thanks again.
Ken