Marimo balls

TeeItUp · 11-02-2004, 04:18 PM

OK I am somewhat intrigued by these. I also have not found much writing on them. What is the general consensus on their addition to a planted tank? I am not keen on adding algae to my tank so my question is can anything bad come from having them in your tank?

**BSS** · 11-02-2004, 05:34 PM

Good question. I recently purchased one to get my plant order about the site minimum. It's just sitting in the middle of my tank. I like the looks of it and am not expecting anything bad, but would love to hear from others more experienced with this plant.

Thanks,
Brian.

Aquabobo · 11-02-2004, 08:48 PM

Well...I've got two tanks and each one has 2 of them in it. For one, they are cool looking. If you don't have the current, just reach in and rotate them a little. This will help keep a more round shape (if that's what you want) and keep the color. I also took one that was more oval and pulled it apart into two, rolled them and now have two smaller ones. Cool though. Also, you can gently flatten them and turn them into nice "rolling carpets."

There are reports that they help filtration (not being plants, but algae) and also prevent other algae from growing. I haven't had them long enough to really tell too much of a difference.

fedge · 11-02-2004, 09:26 PM

Well they, like all other plants, will compete for nutrients against bad algae. However, they will not keep it at bay, like you may want to believe, any more than other plants. I noticed that mine are just as suseptable to hair algae growth. I moved them to a small nano tank and they are doing better now. They are cool algae colonies, but if you dont feel like turning them every 3-4 days then I would stay away from them.

putty · 11-02-2004, 10:34 PM

Could you get them to colonize a rock or some wood?

I think that would be the coolest.

I am not big on having a green ball sitting in the tank, but if I could get it to grow on some gnarly wood...sign me up.

Clone · 11-03-2004, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by putty

I am not big on having a green ball sitting in the tank, but if I could get it to grow on some gnarly wood...sign me up.

I'm with you. Most of the time the Marimo balls simply look out of place.

11-02-2004, 04:18 PM	#1
TeeItUp Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Mount Vernon, Ohio Posts: 493	Marimo balls OK I am somewhat intrigued by these. I also have not found much writing on them. What is the general consensus on their addition to a planted tank? I am not keen on adding algae to my tank so my question is can anything bad come from having them in your tank? __________________ Eheim Pimp Club member #14 2215 Classic Eheim CO2 Diffuser

11-02-2004, 05:34 PM	#2
BSS Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (12/100%) Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Oviedo, FL USA Posts: 1,600	Good question. I recently purchased one to get my plant order about the site minimum. It's just sitting in the middle of my tank. I like the looks of it and am not expecting anything bad, but would love to hear from others more experienced with this plant. Thanks, Brian. __________________ 46g bf, XP3 w/ vertical spray bar, CO2 w/ SMS122 & diffuser,100% Flourite, 96w+55w cf AHS, AGA Member

11-02-2004, 09:26 PM	#4
fedge Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (2/100%) Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Iowa, USA Posts: 460	Well they, like all other plants, will compete for nutrients against bad algae. However, they will not keep it at bay, like you may want to believe, any more than other plants. I noticed that mine are just as suseptable to hair algae growth. I moved them to a small nano tank and they are doing better now. They are cool algae colonies, but if you dont feel like turning them every 3-4 days then I would stay away from them. __________________ Help control the pet population...spay or neuter people won't spay or neuter their dogs or cats!

11-02-2004, 10:34 PM	#5
putty Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Posts: 666	Could you get them to colonize a rock or some wood? I think that would be the coolest. I am not big on having a green ball sitting in the tank, but if I could get it to grow on some gnarly wood...sign me up. __________________ got CO2?

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

11-02-2004, 08:48 PM	#3
Aquabobo Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Western MA Posts: 55	Well...I've got two tanks and each one has 2 of them in it. For one, they are cool looking. If you don't have the current, just reach in and rotate them a little. This will help keep a more round shape (if that's what you want) and keep the color. I also took one that was more oval and pulled it apart into two, rolled them and now have two smaller ones. Cool though. Also, you can gently flatten them and turn them into nice "rolling carpets." There are reports that they help filtration (not being plants, but algae) and also prevent other algae from growing. I haven't had them long enough to really tell too much of a difference.