Marimo Ball

AlexXx · 12-08-2009, 06:17 AM

Ive heard many different things about these wonderfully curious balls of moss... or algea? I recently purchased one, and after a bit of research, have decided to would like rip one up and attach it to some driftwood or something, maybe a rock... or maybe the substrate. I have read that it acctually grows VERY slow, could take years to see any difference, but i always have read that if ripped into tiny pieces it will grow much quicker. Is this at all true? If i were to rip it up a lot and scatter it throughout my substrate would it attach it self, or end up just floating to the top? What other things can i do with this awesome stuff! Anyone have pics of ideas they have had or seen?

Dollface · 12-08-2009, 06:50 AM

Marimo balls are a non-invasive sp. of cladophora algae. It does grow slowly, but not THAT slowly. I'm not entirely sure about if it grows quicker when it's in smaller pieces, it may just be that the growth is more noticeable. Marimo won't readily attach itself to substrate/rocks/driftwood, you'll have to tie it down to something like slate, or use stainless steel mesh. My favorite use for marimo is marimo carpets, they're quite beautiful. I've also seen it attached to driftwood, too.

mgamer20o0 · 12-08-2009, 07:53 AM

like dollface said i dont think they will attach to anything. i would think tge more spreed out it the faster it grows. since more of the plant is getting light vs being in a big ball. i never got the point of them. i did pick up 5 just to try them.

**Ebichua** · 12-08-2009, 08:07 AM

Marimos throw off their algae fluff into the tank sometimes. It's kind of annoying when they do because it's quite messy and it HAS stuck onto my substrate before and turned into their own type of clado. If left untouched for a looooong, loooong time, a marimo ball will and do attach itself onto the floor. This takes a lot of time of being left alone though, at least 3 months or more for me.

I do speak/comment from experience.

Marimo balls are cute at first but once they start throwing off extra fluff to propagate or whatnot, it's kind of annoying. Get rid of it ASAP, unless if it's an actual miniature marimo ball. If it's just marimo fur, get rid of it. It won't turn into a ball and will just pester you as a form of clado algae.

AlexXx · 12-08-2009, 05:38 PM

What kind of substrate did it attach to, and how did you start the carpet? Did you just shove it into the gravel or whatever you use. Any pics?

12-08-2009, 06:17 AM	#1
AlexXx Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Boca Raton, Fl Posts: 566	Marimo Ball Ive heard many different things about these wonderfully curious balls of moss... or algea? I recently purchased one, and after a bit of research, have decided to would like rip one up and attach it to some driftwood or something, maybe a rock... or maybe the substrate. I have read that it acctually grows VERY slow, could take years to see any difference, but i always have read that if ripped into tiny pieces it will grow much quicker. Is this at all true? If i were to rip it up a lot and scatter it throughout my substrate would it attach it self, or end up just floating to the top? What other things can i do with this awesome stuff! Anyone have pics of ideas they have had or seen?

12-08-2009, 06:50 AM	#2
Dollface Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (77/100%) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Alameda, CA Posts: 2,214	Marimo balls are a non-invasive sp. of cladophora algae. It does grow slowly, but not THAT slowly. I'm not entirely sure about if it grows quicker when it's in smaller pieces, it may just be that the growth is more noticeable. Marimo won't readily attach itself to substrate/rocks/driftwood, you'll have to tie it down to something like slate, or use stainless steel mesh. My favorite use for marimo is marimo carpets, they're quite beautiful. I've also seen it attached to driftwood, too. __________________ Wabi Kusa is just an Aquascape Katamari

12-08-2009, 07:53 AM	#3
mgamer20o0 Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (158/99%) Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: cali Posts: 1,616	like dollface said i dont think they will attach to anything. i would think tge more spreed out it the faster it grows. since more of the plant is getting light vs being in a big ball. i never got the point of them. i did pick up 5 just to try them. __________________ In SoCali? Looking for fish plants equipment? want to learn something about the hobby? http://www.coastfishclub.com

12-08-2009, 08:07 AM	#4
Ebichua Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (80/100%) Join Date: May 2008 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 1,636	Marimos throw off their algae fluff into the tank sometimes. It's kind of annoying when they do because it's quite messy and it HAS stuck onto my substrate before and turned into their own type of clado. If left untouched for a looooong, loooong time, a marimo ball will and do attach itself onto the floor. This takes a lot of time of being left alone though, at least 3 months or more for me. I do speak/comment from experience. Marimo balls are cute at first but once they start throwing off extra fluff to propagate or whatnot, it's kind of annoying. Get rid of it ASAP, unless if it's an actual miniature marimo ball. If it's just marimo fur, get rid of it. It won't turn into a ball and will just pester you as a form of clado algae. __________________ <3 http://shrimpstuff.blogspot.com/

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12-08-2009, 05:38 PM	#5
AlexXx Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Boca Raton, Fl Posts: 566	What kind of substrate did it attach to, and how did you start the carpet? Did you just shove it into the gravel or whatever you use. Any pics?