Ridding pond of java moss

efface · 08-27-2012, 09:46 PM

Some how I got java moss in my pond this year and it has been a real chore removing it. I have tons of plants so I can't poison the water. No fish.

I am wondering if a possible solution is to put black plastic down over all the water while keeping the plants out of. I assume enough time of this would kill everything in there but I am not sure if spores would still be able to grow after removing the covering.

Any thoughts?

Included a shot of my water feature for your viewing pleasure.

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caykuu · 08-27-2012, 10:18 PM

I apologize if I misunderstood your question, but if you mean you want to kill all of the java moss, putting a black plastic over the water won't do it. Java moss can survive and still grow in almost pitch black.

I don't know what chemical will kill the moss though. Hope someone will chime in. :P

jake10 · 08-27-2012, 10:59 PM

could you ship a large clump to me? i will pay shipping

Diana · 08-28-2012, 01:26 AM

You can probably keep it under control, but not kill it by any of several means:
First of all, is it really Java Moss, not one of the stringy algae?
Remove existing plants and drain the pond. When the JM has dried, rake it out.
Remove it in as large a mass as you can and sell it (RAOK, send it out if someone (Jake) will just cover the postage, but in warm weather send it Next Day, not slower)
Remove it in as large a mass as you can and take it to the local fish stores (I know there are many in Sacramento) for a little credit.
Remove the good plants and overdose with salt. (It takes quite a bit to kill JM). You will then have to drain the pond, scrape out most of the moss, rinse the pond pretty well, then refill. The trace of salt remaining is not a problem for the plants.

efface · 08-28-2012, 09:54 PM

Oh boy that sounds like a chore!

Sorry Jake not interested in the chore of shipping, it takes a lot for me to go there even to pick up a package for myself!

Diana · 08-29-2012, 01:21 AM

Does it survive the winter? I have not tried over wintering it outside. Maybe it will just die off when the pond gets cold enough.

Villarreal · 09-10-2012, 07:02 PM

why dont you attach it to some DW pieces you can control it like that as well as sell pieces or RAOK them

Diana · 09-11-2012, 01:30 AM

In the pond it attaches all by itself to all the rocks and everything in the pond. Almost like a weed. It does sound like a good grow out area if efface was interested in marketing it.

08-27-2012, 09:46 PM	#1
efface Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 341	Ridding pond of java moss Some how I got java moss in my pond this year and it has been a real chore removing it. I have tons of plants so I can't poison the water. No fish. I am wondering if a possible solution is to put black plastic down over all the water while keeping the plants out of. I assume enough time of this would kill everything in there but I am not sure if spores would still be able to grow after removing the covering. Any thoughts? Included a shot of my water feature for your viewing pleasure.

08-27-2012, 10:59 PM	#3
jake10 Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: ny Posts: 248	could you ship a large clump to me? i will pay shipping Last edited by jake10; 08-28-2012 at 01:55 AM.. Reason: .

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08-27-2012, 10:18 PM	#2
caykuu Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Southern California Posts: 229	I apologize if I misunderstood your question, but if you mean you want to kill all of the java moss, putting a black plastic over the water won't do it. Java moss can survive and still grow in almost pitch black. I don't know what chemical will kill the moss though. Hope someone will chime in. :P

08-28-2012, 01:26 AM	#4
Diana Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Contra Costa CA Posts: 5,013	You can probably keep it under control, but not kill it by any of several means: First of all, is it really Java Moss, not one of the stringy algae? Remove existing plants and drain the pond. When the JM has dried, rake it out. Remove it in as large a mass as you can and sell it (RAOK, send it out if someone (Jake) will just cover the postage, but in warm weather send it Next Day, not slower) Remove it in as large a mass as you can and take it to the local fish stores (I know there are many in Sacramento) for a little credit. Remove the good plants and overdose with salt. (It takes quite a bit to kill JM). You will then have to drain the pond, scrape out most of the moss, rinse the pond pretty well, then refill. The trace of salt remaining is not a problem for the plants.

08-28-2012, 09:54 PM	#5
efface Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 341	Oh boy that sounds like a chore! Sorry Jake not interested in the chore of shipping, it takes a lot for me to go there even to pick up a package for myself!

08-29-2012, 01:21 AM	#6
Diana Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Contra Costa CA Posts: 5,013	Does it survive the winter? I have not tried over wintering it outside. Maybe it will just die off when the pond gets cold enough.

09-10-2012, 07:02 PM	#7
Villarreal Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: McAllen, Texas Posts: 25	why dont you attach it to some DW pieces you can control it like that as well as sell pieces or RAOK them

09-11-2012, 01:30 AM	#8
Diana Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Contra Costa CA Posts: 5,013	In the pond it attaches all by itself to all the rocks and everything in the pond. Almost like a weed. It does sound like a good grow out area if efface was interested in marketing it.