Java Moss is a very common beginners plant in the fresh water aquarium hobby. We compiled a guide to help you learn its growing habits, and how to have a happier healthier plant! Java moss belongs to the Hypnaceae family, which is native to and most commonly found in Southern Asia. In the wild, due to its moist climate, java moss can be found growing on the ground and even on trees, as well as flooded banks. You can buy this user friendly plant online for cheap, ranging anywhere from $4 – $20.
Care Requirements
Care level : very easy
Light : low to bright
Temperature : 70 – 75
Ph : 5.0 – 8.0
Growing Habits
Java moss is one of those plants you can just throw in your aquarium, and not worry much about maintenance. It can grow with a very large range of temperatures and lights, but especially thrives at temperatures between 70 – 75° F. It can still manage to live in temperatures as low as 60° and even as high as 90°, though it will grow slower the higher the temperature gets.The stronger the lights the thicker the plant will grow, while weaker light produces more spindly plant growth.
Java moss has no real roots but it has a thinner rhizoid system. The rhizoids are exclusively used to attach itself to a variety of surface, which means the plant has no need for roots as it absorbs nutrients through its stem and little oval leaves.
Propagation
Java Moss will propagate all on its own. To help it grow faster you could separate clumps of it so they each have more space to grow out. Other than meeting it’s normal growth requirements, there’s really nothing to it.
Uses
Java moss can have many uses in your little ecosystem. They absorb and put to use the extra nutrients in your tank, even going as far as to help with the nitrogen cycle in your aquarium. It can be a great filler in aquascaping, as well. Java Moss can be grown in lots of different ways, just throw it in a tank and let it grow how ever it wishes. Or, due to its rhizoid, you can attach it to ornamental objects such as drift wood, rocks, and coconut shells. If attacted to wood, you could make an artificial forest inside your tank, or grow it as walls for a background, or even just as carpet mats. Java moss can even grow out of water as long as it is still kept some what moist, making it a great plant for paludariums. This easy plant can be a very usefully plant for breeders, as the moss provides a hiding place for baby fish and shrimp. The moss even tends to house lots of micro organisms for little newborns to eat!
Recommendations
Due to how it grows and, depending on your light system, you may have an issue with algae growth. Algae is a common problem with java moss, but don’t worry, there is a solution besides scrubbing it with a tooth brush or even throwing the whole thing away and starting over. Place it in an area where it can get strong circulation from your filter. That can help keep it cleaner and combat algae. But, honestly, the best option in our opinion is shrimp. The moss and algae provide a food source for the shrimp and, in turn, the shrimp keep it clean so the moss can grow even faster.
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