[Botanic]

Has anyone made a moss wall on the back wall (filter compartment) of the Fluval Spec V?

I find the black plastic wall a bit boring and thought that I would cover it with moss. But I haven't figured out how to do it since the wall is not suitable for suction cups. I would have to use some other method to keep the mesh in place.
Any suggestions?

 

[ShrimpCardinal]

I made one but I'm still working on the moss growth I'll keep you updated

 

[Botanic]

How did you attach it to the wall?
Please post a picture if it's possible.

 

[FizzyShellfish]

I ultimately didn't do it, but my idea was to slant it slightly out at the bottom so it leans on the back wall. First, it'll be stable, second it allows light to reach the bottom of the wall. My other thought was, the moss would likely grow faster at the top, so if it's not attached, after a couple months I could flip the thing upside down, with the bottom now at the top.

Another idea I read online, great for tiny tanks, is use only 1 piece of mesh. The suggestion was to cut with a razor every other vertical piece of the mesh without cutting the edges. Then the moss can be woven, shoved in between these "slats" versus sandwiched.

Please post updates.

 

[zenquarium]

I had a moss wall before in my Spec V. It was full of java and fissiden moss. I had to move the tank so I drain it and the moss dried out and died. After sitting dry out for a few months in my backyard I flooded the tank again and some of the fissidens and moss grew back even when I scrap out the dead moss on the wall. I guess some of the spores was embed in the wall.

Here a picture of the wall now after flooding the tank for about a month.

Unfortunately I don't have the picture 2 years ago when it was fully cover in moss.

Anyways how I did it was lightly sand the black plastic wall to give it texture. Fill the tank about a inch of water and mist the wall and glass to help keep it humid. Cut up java and fissidens into little bits. Spread it thin on the surface. Cover the tank with saran plastic wrap. Use the stock light and to help grow it. Mist everything inside the tank including the saran wrap once a day for about 3 weeks I think or even 2. Anyways the moss will grow and attach itself to the surface.

If you live in a humid area you can mist every other day. If you live in a dry area you may have to mist it twice a day.

Growth and attachment depends several factors such as lighting period, nutrient, how much Co2 is in the atmosphere and etc. So it could be take a 1 week or 5 weeks.

Hope that helps.

 

[Mewski]

@zenquarium
That is a really cool technique, thanks for sharing. I am impressed at how prolifically it grew back even after you left it out for so long.

 

[Botanic]

@zenquarium That is amazing. Thanks for sharing. If I had known this before I set my tank up, I would have done the same.
I don't want to start all over with my tank now that I finally have it going.
I had no idea that the moss could survive such a treatment and then grow back.
@FizzyShellfish Thanks for the idea with only one layer of mesh.

 

[zenquarium]

@zenquarium That is amazing. Thanks for sharing. If I had known this before I set my tank up, I would have done the same.
I don't want to start all over with my tank now that I finally have it going.
I had no idea that the moss could survive such a treatment and then grow back.

@FizzyShellfish Thanks for the idea with only one layer of mesh.

If you are willing I'm not certain if it might work. You can blend up fissidens mix it with yogurt. Drain the tank temporary. Dry and lightly sand the wall. Spread the mix thin and even on the suface. Let it dry maybe you can speed it up with a blow dryer. Gently flood the tank back. I think this can be done in a hour.

I can try to do a small experiment when I have time. Good luck.

 

[ShrimpCardinal]