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Maintaining a Marimo Moss Ball: Sowing, Watering, and Fertilizing Your Moss
We consider Marimo Moss Balls to be one of the most exciting new plant discoveries of recent years. Marimo are oddly lovely, and caring for a moss ball is a breeze.
Marine moss ball or Marimo. The inclusion of Marimo moss balls to a tropical aquarium is highly recommended. Their popularity in planted fish tanks means they will also pique the curiosity of your non-aquarist relatives and family. In fact, because of their widespread desirability, many individuals now keep them as pets. Yes, seriously I can’t think of a more peculiar pet fad than moss ball pets. I mean, come on, who wouldn’t like a lovable green fur ball? Perhaps they represent the ideal domesticated animal. To care for a moss ball is a low-maintenance hobby. Provide it with adequate light, and it won’t moult and it won’t eat much, either.
Moss ball pets and aquarium-dwelling Marimo moss balls have similar maintenance needs.
Tank-grown moss balls have a low to moderate light need. A proper aquarium fertilizer is essential for the health and vitality of all aquatic plants. Once a week, while holding the moss ball underwater, roll it around in your hands, pressing gently to recirculate the water within.
Aquatic moss balls, often known as moss ball pets, are a terrific addition to any aquarium, but especially one housing a tiny shrimp or betta fish. Micro shrimps are excellent cleaners, clearing away algae growth and any particles of food that have been stuck between the moss ball’s threads.
Warning before you go People will fake anything, even moss balls.
Not all moss balls offered online are made from real aquatic moss, as we’ve learned. Instead, it’s balls of moss that grow on Earth. Some of the Asian vendors we’ve ordered aquatic moss from have sent us moss that is clearly not aquatic. In spite of the fact that they are both moss, only aquatic moss balls can survive in the water.
In spite of their name, the Japanese “marimo” (which means “seaweed ball”) are not moss but rather an unique kind of spherical algae. There is no kernel or stone in the core of this spherical; rather, it is composed entirely of solid algae that has spread outward from the center at a snail’s pace of just 5 millimeters each year. However, they may go up to 8 to 12 inches in diameter in their native environments, which include a small number of fresh water lakes in Japan, Estonia, Iceland, Scotland, and Australia.
The lovely mythology that has developed around these strange marine creatures is another reason why Marimo moss balls are so well-liked. A couple in the legend just wanted to be with each other. Their hearts turned into Marimo balls as they plunged into the ocean after being banned to be together. The giving and receiving of a Marimo is thought to deliver the recipient everything they’ve ever wanted.
One of the reasons we like Marimo is their indestructible nature. Ok, maybe not indefinitely, but certainly 100 years or more. This is why we joke that Marimo would make great heirlooms for generations to come.
How to take care of Marimo moss balls is easy:
Light:
Location with low to medium indirect light is ideal for Marimo. When exposed to direct sunlight, marimo quickly turns brown and must be shaded. The glass marimo enclosures will magnify the sun’s rays, making it possible to rapidly heat water. Keep in mind that these creatures like cold water and do best in the shade.
Marimo have a high capacity for photosynthesis in low light and may thrive in the lighting conditions often seen in homes. Marimo should be kept near a fluorescent or full-spectrum light source if there are no windows in the room.
Water Purification:
Two-week water changes should be done with ordinary tap water (for best results, allow water to sit out for 24 hours prior to changing the water). In the summer, the water will heat up and evaporate faster, so you’ll need to replace it more often. If algae grows on the surface of your marimo tank, brush it off using a cleaning tool.
Browning:
To prevent your marimo from becoming brown, relocate them to a cooler area where they will get less direct sunlight. It’s possible that they’ll mend on their own and regain their green color. In such case, a pinch of aquarium sea salt wouldn’t hurt.
Why are my Marimo Balls floating in the air?
Your Marimo balls are most likely floating because of an air bubble trapped within! Squeeze your marimo balls gently to burst the air bubble. Marimo will usually sink to the bottom of its aquarium after 1-2 days of being placed in an enclosure.
Marimo Can Survive Outside of Water
Yes! Marimo moss balls may live without water for many days if stored in plastic or a tight container, as long as they are not allowed to completely dry out. Plastic bags are the most convenient method to transport Marimo moss.
Maintaining Marimo Shape:
The waves and currents of the lakes gently twist and roll the Marimo balls down the lake bottom in their natural habitats.
To guarantee that Marimo retain their round shape and do not flatten out, gently stir the water in your Marimo cage so that when your Marimo balls sink down to the bottom, they rest on a different side than they did before. Consider simulating the calm waves of a lake.
Marijuana and Aquarium Security:
Many people ask us whether Marimo is safe to keep in their fish tanks. Marimo are welcome additions to freshwater aquariums, as we can attest. In reality, they naturally absorb dangerous nitrates in water and serve as mini-filters to purify it.
Though Marimo are healthy for your fish, some fish have been known to overindulge in Marimo and may peck at, and finally destroy, a Marimo ball. Keep an eye on things and see how your fish behave before deciding to keep Marimo in a fish tank indefinitely.
If you follow these Marimo moss ball care instructions, you should see your little fellas thrive in no time! Do you have any queries or best practices for caring for marimo moss balls? Please share in the comments!
