Java Moss or Guppy Grass?

[UnknownGuppyLover]

I need help choosing. I’ve never had both, but really want to see which one you guys prefer. I intend on using either with shrimp breeding.

 

[MyFishAddiction]

I would recomend guppy grass.

 

[SotaAquatics]

I prefer java moss, guppy grass was always too brittle and broke apart for me. Only downside to java moss is it will take awhile to establish to your tank and start growing, but once it takes hold, its nice.

 

[Oriongal]

Depends on your aquascape, in a way. Guppy grass is more of an unattached plant, while java moss wants to cling to something. Java moss is a bit less temperamental, it'll grow in just about any setup where guppy grass may not.

That said - I also would concur with guppy grass. It's a lot easier to keep under control, you can pull bits out rather than needing to trim it back if it's taking over, and the shrimp will like it just the same.

 

[UnknownGuppyLover]

I prefer java moss, guppy grass was always too brittle and broke apart for me. Only downside to java moss is it will take awhile to establish to your tank and start growing, but once it takes hold, its nice.

How well do you think Java moss would grow in an outdoor, pond setup? I’m thinking of leaning towards the plant that doesn’t require as much direct sunlight as the other.

I would recomend guppy grass.

Any cool experiences with guppy grass? Also, do you does ferts with yours or do you just let it loose?

Depends on your aquascape, in a way. Guppy grass is more of an unattached plant, while java moss wants to cling to something. Java moss is a bit less temperamental, it'll grow in just about any setup where guppy grass may not.

That said - I also would concur with guppy grass. It's a lot easier to keep under control, you can pull bits out rather than needing to trim it back if it's taking over, and the shrimp will like it just the same.

If I let the Java moss float, will it grow just as good as tied to some sort of rock or decor? I’m starting to lean towards Java moss, but mostly worry for it’s viability.

 

[Broggy]

for a pond, I would do guppy grass. I would be afraid the moss would grow algae and become a mess. guppy grass floating will help shrimp hang out near the surface, which they enjoy doing.

 

[SotaAquatics]

for a pond, I would do guppy grass. I would be afraid the moss would grow algae and become a mess. guppy grass floating will help shrimp hang out near the surface, which they enjoy doing.

100% agree. Pond changes my answer, java moss will grow too slow in a pond and just look like an algae gross mess. Go guppy grass for the pond if those are the two you are deciding between. If you are doing a pond though, depending on its size, there are some other really neat alternatives you could look into.

 

[UnknownGuppyLover]

for a pond, I would do guppy grass. I would be afraid the moss would grow algae and become a mess. guppy grass floating will help shrimp hang out near the surface, which they enjoy doing.

Ahh okay that sounds good. I guess guppy grass is the way to go. I already have a bit of algae, which I do welcome, but I don’t want to have a huge mess. Also, when getting guppy grass delivered, do you think most sellers would have pest snails in them? I’ve been really careful lately with not introducing them in.

100% agree. Pond changes my answer, java moss will grow too slow in a pond and just look like an algae gross mess. Go guppy grass for the pond if those are the two you are deciding between. If you are doing a pond though, depending on its size, there are some other really neat alternatives you could look into.

Which alternatives do you think would be good in a 20G? It’s not like a huge pond, although I like calling it a pond since it’s outdoors and I just let the creatures do their thing. I currently only have guppies and cherry shrimp at the moment.

 

[StarGirl]

Java moss always detached and covered my pre filter sponge. I like the way guppy grass looks better anyway.

 

[SouthAmericanCichlids]

Also, when getting guppy grass delivered, do you think most sellers would have pest snails in them?

Depends on the seller. Same chance as any other plant.

 

[Pwilly07]

I use both in separate tanks and they both work well!

 

[ProudPapa]

As you can see from the answers above, they both have their advantages and disadvantages, but I agree that guppy grass would be the better option outside. In general, for indoor tanks, pearl weed is a good alternative, and in fact may be the best choice (if you can find some).

 

[Oriongal]

I have lots of outdoor containers in the 20g to 40g range. Almost anything you put in there that isn't rooted is ultimately going to hang near the surface and limit your visibility into it, so with that consideration I'd actually recommend a top-of-water floating plant like salvinia (water spangles) or red-root floaters, or frogbit. You can always put a feeding ring or set something up to keep one surface area clear; or you can just scoop some out periodically.

Shrimp love floating plants that have trailing 'roots' (they're not actually roots even though they look like roots), even duckweed. They'll hang upside down on the 'roots', and they seem to gravitate more toward those than any other type of plant. If I want to harvest some shrimp to give my LFS, typically all I have to do is net out some duckweed or salvinia, I don't have to go hunting past the surface floating plants.

 

[MyFishAddiction]

Though honestly, if you can, the best is both.

 

[UnknownGuppyLover]

I have lots of outdoor containers in the 20g to 40g range. Almost anything you put in there that isn't rooted is ultimately going to hang near the surface and limit your visibility into it, so with that consideration I'd actually recommend a top-of-water floating plant like salvinia (water spangles) or red-root floaters, or frogbit. You can always put a feeding ring or set something up to keep one surface area clear; or you can just scoop some out periodically.

Shrimp love floating plants that have trailing 'roots' (they're not actually roots even though they look like roots), even duckweed. They'll hang upside down on the 'roots', and they seem to gravitate more toward those than any other type of plant. If I want to harvest some shrimp to give my LFS, typically all I have to do is net out some duckweed or salvinia, I don't have to go hunting past the surface floating plants.

That’s cool I didn’t know shrimp would go up to the floating plants because I’ve only seen them crawl around on my pothos roots and wisteria bunches. I was actually thinking of picking up some salvinia minima and making a section of the container have some floaters.

Though honestly, if you can, the best is both.

I will definitely try to get both. I will go for the guppy grass first but I love the look of Java moss and have a scape in mind for my other tank that will probably involve mosses.