preparing java moss for aquarium use

[glacierbird]

Hi everyone,

I've had this java moss for about 2 months now, just sitting in a plastic tray on my window sill. It's been growing fine, but I've finally got around to thinking about what to do with it.

I've read that a quick rinse, followed by a 20-minute soak in a 5% chlorine solution, and then another rinse should be enough to get rid of any unwanted critters. However, some people also use washing up liquid to make sure all the chemicals are removed.

I'd love to hear some advice on the best and safest way to clean java moss before adding it to my tank, which is currently home to some fish. I also have some moss balls I'm planning to add - would I use the same cleaning process for those?

[coltin]

Quarantining for 2 months is a decent amount of time, so I'd say the risk of diseases is relatively low. You might have some hydra or fish TB, but that's about it. Hydra are pretty easy to spot - they resemble small sea anemones. As for fish TB, it's a bacterial issue that's essentially invisible, so try not to worry about it too much.

When it comes to cleaning the java moss, a simple rinse in tap water should do the trick. Just slosh it around in a bucket to remove any sediment or unwanted snails. After that, you can safely add it to your tank.

As for the Marimo Moss balls, I'd recommend handling them with care, as they can fall apart easily. To be honest, I'd just add them straight to the tank - no need for any special treatment.

[glacierbird]

Quarantining for 2 months is a decent amount of time, so I'd say the risk of diseases is relatively low. You might have some hydra or fish TB, but that's about it. Hydra are pretty easy to spot - they resemble small sea anemones. As for fish TB, it's a bacterial issue that's essentially invisible, so try not to worry about it too much.

When it comes to cleaning the java moss, a simple rinse in tap water should do the trick. Just slosh it around in a bucket to remove any sediment or unwanted snails. After that, you can safely add it to your tank.

As for the Marimo Moss balls, I'd recommend handling them with care, as they can fall apart easily. To be honest, I'd just add them straight to the tank - no need for any special treatment.

Thanks for the advice, coltin.

If I were to use the 5% solution on the Java Moss, would it cause any harm to my fish if I rinse it thoroughly before adding it to the tank? I'm just thinking of being extra cautious.

Also, regarding the Marimo Moss balls, if they do fall apart, is it possible to re-form them or would that cause more damage? I did try breaking some apart to encourage growth, but I'm curious to know if re-shaping them is an option.

[coltin]

5% solution of chlorine, I'm assuming that's what you're referring to.

Marimo moss balls can usually be regrown if they fall apart. This is actually a common method for growing them - people pull them apart and let the little clumps regrow into bigger ones.

[cichlidgirl22]

Quarantining for 2 months is a decent amount of time, so I'd say the risk of diseases is relatively low. You might have some hydra or fish TB, but that's about it. Hydra are pretty easy to spot - they resemble small sea anemones. As for fish TB, it's a bacterial issue that's essentially invisible, so try not to worry about it too much.

When it comes to cleaning the java moss, a simple rinse in tap water should do the trick. Just slosh it around in a bucket to remove any sediment or unwanted snails. After that, you can safely add it to your tank.

As for the Marimo Moss balls, I'd recommend handling them with care, as they can fall apart easily. To be honest, I'd just add them straight to the tank - no need for any special treatment.

coltin said:

5% Chlorine.

That's chlorine bleach. It's overkill for Java Moss. You don't need it. Just slosh it around in tap water to get rid of any sediment or snails.

[coltin]

If you put plants in chlorine for 1-2 minutes they're generally alright. However, if you leave them in the chlorine for too long, they start to deteriorate rapidly.

After chlorinating, rinse them thoroughly under tap water to remove any excess chlorine. Then, submerge them in a bucket of water and add a triple dose of dechlorinator to neutralize any remaining chlorine. Stir well and let them soak for a few minutes to allow the dechlorinator to work effectively. After soaking, give them another rinse under tap water to ensure all chlorine is removed. If they still smell of chlorine, repeat the process - rinse, soak, and add more dechlorinator until the smell is gone. Alternatively, you can leave them in a bucket of tap water for a day or so to allow any residual chlorine to dissipate.

[cichlidgirl22]

I've found peroxide works well for me, seems like a safer option and it's easier to use.

[glacierbird]

Thanks to all for the advice, much appreciated.