How to care for marimo

Hello
I have just ordered two marimo balls off amazon for Houdinis tank and was wondering if they need special fertilisers or any special care?

 

You know, I have 3 of them. One I bought in March when I first started my 5 gallon. It has since tripled in size and I do not do anything special to it.
I have never fertilized it and just rinse in tank water now and then and give it a big squeeze. Its super green and although now the shape is distorted ( not getting rotated enough I suppose )
I am thinking of tearing it in half and starting a new one.
The other 2 i've only had for a few weeks and they are in Rango's tank.
Love them!

Junne

 

this might be the easiest plant ever! just squeeze it out during water changes, that's it.

 

I've had these for years in my tanks....I have some that are the size of softballs now....I only do monthly maintenance on them.

Once a month, I usually grab them during WC and I squeeze the water out of them into a bucket and plop them back into the tank. this will allow them to rotate and get proper lighting and sink back into the tank again.

They are slow growers though...about 5mm a year.

 

Hello everyone thank you for your replys I didn't know I had to squeeze them I think HoudinI will enjoy them they should arrive tomorrow

 

Hello everyone thank you for your replys I didn't know I had to squeeze them I think HoudinI will enjoy them they should arrive tomorrow

Squeezing them is not mandatory. I have some in my shrimp tanks that I haven't squeeze in three months I think...they are still doing well. You do need to rotate them from time to time so all the sides of the Marimo get some lighting.

 

https://www.fishlore.com/aquariumfishforum/threads/marimo-moss-ball-picture-my-oldest-one.123606/



Some links above you might like to see.

Ken

 

They are slow growers though...about 5mm a year.

Mine must be on steroids!!! They have gone from cherry tomato size to large lemon sized! NOT KIDDING!!

 

I bought these Marimos when I got out of the military and wanted something simplisitic and zenish in a a fish tank and then I took a break from the hobby and just traveled. I stored them in my father's backyard in a container with water. They were just recently introduce into a fish tank about 5 years ago when I re-entered the hobby.

They are probably 12 years old. My oldest Marimo I couldn't grab because it is behind a driftwood at the moment.

 

Wow they are nice marimo thank you for the tips I'm really looking forward to getting them I'll remember to rotate them I have a feeling HoudinI will be playing a little moss ball too