question about java moss

[Jkoziatek]

i have heard java moss is very invasive... i want to have some for my cory's to hide and lay in though... so i was thinking... if i have a plastic liner... that was higher than the gravel... could i plant the moss in the gravel and have ti not spread so much?... the liner would just be pushed down as far as possible int he gravel ( like a hard plastic)...

so my question is does java moss spread with runners deep under gravel?

and if not will my concept work?

 

[WyldFya]

Java moss doesn't grow large roots, and does not grow under the gravel. Your idea will not slow down the java moss at all. It grows from the ends, which go in every direction.

 

[Jkoziatek]

so if i madea circle liner about 2 or 3 inches higher then where the moss is it wont stop it?... it will go over the liner?

 

[Ianab]

so if i madea circle liner about 2 or 3 inches higher then where the moss is it wont stop it?... it will go over the liner?

The problem with Java moss is that any little piece that breaks off can drift away and start a new plant. It doesn't really have any roots as such, it just sticks to the gravel, rocks or driftwood and keeps growing.

It's not really a problem, you can just pluck out any extra that you dont want. But it's really hard to get rid of and will eventually take over a tank if it's just left to grow.

But it does make great cover for smaller fish, and it's easy to just grab out a few handfulls if you do get too much.

Cheers

Ian

 

[Jkoziatek]

is there any type of carpet thats easy to keep? besides java moss?

 

[portabuddy]

i love my java moss... they cling to plastic ornaments and plastic plants and make everything seem more real and aged. my crawfish grabs bunches at a time to either eat or pad his den with. it also allows him a good high vantage point to "try" and hunt fish. but it grows like a weed in my tank and i hive away handfulls at a time here. its very managable though, you just grab it and take it out of the tank... also its a low light grower, it grows in my go with 70watts of light but not in my 90 with 300watts...

clings to whatever you tie it to, in your case i would get a small piece of slate and tuck it under the rocks edges and let it cling to its surface... also cory's like lounging in sand beds, so if you place a bown/liner with cand in it they will lay and search for food in that...

 

[WyldFya]

Cryptocorynes work well.

 

[arowana man]

Cryptocorynes work well.

i would try cryptocoryn willisi. dwarf sag will make a nice ''lawn'' also.