Mystic54

My java moss used to be a very bright green and now I realize that the colors have turned to a dull green. I have a nano filter, heater, and the moss gets 8+ hours of light per day. This is in my divided 5.5 gallon betta tank. I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong?

Beth1965

Mystic: Does the moss perhaps need to be trimmed? That could very well be the issue. Any chance you can post a pic?
Beth

Mystic54

I'm not sure if it needs to be trimmed or not. It is growing out a bit, but I thought that was normal. I will post picture later on tonight since I have to get ready for work now.

Mystic54

This is what it used to look like before

And now after

aquarist48

Hello Mystic. Do you top off your water between water changes? Fresh water = fresh nutrients for the plant. I like to swoosh mine around and fluff it out at times. This and 1 anubia are the only live plants I have and much to my surprise they're doing quiet well. I don't do anything special and I have generic lighting. By fluffing it out it seems to give it more room to grow and it removes debris.
Hope you're doing well!
Ken

Butterfly

If you can swoosh it a bit like Ken suggested it will also get excess food and fish poo out of it. An excess of these will cause algae to grow in it and cause it to look dull. If you can't do that you can wave your hand around it to stir the water and clean it that way. Let us know how it goes.
Carol

Mystic54

Thanks guys!
I will try that with my water change tomorrow. Do you know how early I expect to see improvement in color?

peacemaker92

Hi Mystic. It depends what the cause is. We can't be too sure. Just do the swooshing thing just as Ken said and await the results Be patient

Mystic54

I tried the swooshing with my weekly water change. I really hope it perks up. It was doing so well. Since I've had it, its grown about 2 inches.
I have an anubias nana plant in the same tank and its thriving. Its grown about 4-5 new leaves.

aquarist48

Hello Mystic. I was looking at my Java Moss yesterday as a few sun rays were coming through the blinds. It's so much more green when the sun hits it compared to when my tank lights are on. Hopefully yours will be fine too.
Ken

Mystic54

My tank is in a room with a window, but its not directly by the window. Maybe I could try opening the blinds all the way up and see if the indirect light helps. I have never had a "green thumb" lol

omnitheforsaken

How long have you had the moss. Sometimes moss has to get acclimated to a new tank so it will start to lose color until it adjusts. I had some java moss I bought online that turned greenish-brown on me and I was ready to throw it out but kept it for the cave (it was a coconut cave), a month later it was growing back with a vengeance. Also light intensity can affect the shade of green your moss is.

Mystic54

I've had it for about 1.5 months. I had to trash it today though because it was starting to stink up my bedroom.

aquarist48

Hello Mystic. Sorry to hear that you had to throw it out.
Ken

Lucy

This is a quote from Ted's B/S/T thread:

aquarist48

Thank you Lucy. Ted may have hit the nail on the head. My moss is in with my Gold Fish and the temperature is 70 degrees. I see that Mystics tank is at 79 degrees. Hmmmmm
Ken

Mystic54

Thank you for the information Lucy. The warmer water and light probably were the problem. Although it didn't start losing color until recently.
My bettas like it nice and toasty so the next plant I get will have to accomodate their needs. Any suggestions?