Common Name: Marimo Moss Ball
Latin Name: Aegagropila linnaei
Sold as: Circular Moss Balls
Tank Placement: Foreground
Max Size: 8-12 inches
Temperature: 60-86 degrees
pH: 6.0-8.5
Growth Rate: Extremely Slow
Propagation: Division
Lighting: Any
Supplements: Not necessary
Difficulty: Easy
Good for Beginner: Yes
When I first got them over 12 years ago, I used to take these marimo moss balls out of the aquarium once a month for 24 hours and place them in a container (bucket) and dose with fertilizers for the Marimos to absorb the nutrients.
Now, I just do monthly maintenance, squeeze the water and let the marimo float in my tank. This is my way to simulate their natural environment by letting them rotate so all the sides receive light. If neglected on the bottom of the tank, the part of the Marimo that sits on substrate will turn brown due to lack of lighting.
Some No-Nos based on my experience:
1. They don't do well with bleach and hydrogen peroxide dips
2. Placing them in direct intense (summer) sunlight in small containers will burn them if kept there to long.
3. They are known to carry hitchhikers so I would QT new ones especially if they were grown in ponds.
Pictures:
Latin Name: Aegagropila linnaei
Sold as: Circular Moss Balls
Tank Placement: Foreground
Max Size: 8-12 inches
Temperature: 60-86 degrees
pH: 6.0-8.5
Growth Rate: Extremely Slow
Propagation: Division
Lighting: Any
Supplements: Not necessary
Difficulty: Easy
Good for Beginner: Yes
When I first got them over 12 years ago, I used to take these marimo moss balls out of the aquarium once a month for 24 hours and place them in a container (bucket) and dose with fertilizers for the Marimos to absorb the nutrients.
Now, I just do monthly maintenance, squeeze the water and let the marimo float in my tank. This is my way to simulate their natural environment by letting them rotate so all the sides receive light. If neglected on the bottom of the tank, the part of the Marimo that sits on substrate will turn brown due to lack of lighting.
Some No-Nos based on my experience:
1. They don't do well with bleach and hydrogen peroxide dips
2. Placing them in direct intense (summer) sunlight in small containers will burn them if kept there to long.
3. They are known to carry hitchhikers so I would QT new ones especially if they were grown in ponds.
Pictures:
