Building a moss wall

Discussion in 'Planted Tanks' started by Vis, Feb 1, 2010.

  1. Vis

    Vis Gerhard

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    Sorry I am not going to tell you how but hopefully somebody can.

    Planning on setting up a tank with a moss wall for a background.

    Have a few questions thought.

    1st Good or bad Idea and why?
    2nd Best way of going about it?
    3rdly Would I have to dose ferts to do this?

    There should come more questions as we get into it but these are the main ones now.

    Thanks
     
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  3. KiazerG

    KiazerG Sailfin Molly

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  4. OP
    Vis

    Vis Gerhard

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    Thanks KiazerG looks simple enough, but so does fish keeping when the guy at the LPS tells you about it.

    One problem is that the instructions say you should keep the mesh as close to the glass as possible because it can be a death trap. He uses suction cups to stick it to the wall leaving a gap already.

    Planning on keeping Microrasboras in the tank so they will get stuck there.

    But I guesse a boer can make a plan.
     
  5. KiazerG

    KiazerG Sailfin Molly

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    Ya its a toughee that... There are a couple other step by steps on other forums which are a bit more detailed but i know some guys get sticky about posting links to these...

    My understanding is as long as you give the moss a structure on which to grow on and around then it will more than likely do just that with out much in the way of maintenance or special methods.

    In terms of space that again is also a problem... when I was experimenting I had what I thought was a smallish gap however one of my large mollies managed to get stuck in between it? I'll see if I can find anything on mounting methods and get back to you on that.
     
  6. Zoom

    Zoom Retired Moderator

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    Vis,

    At the top of the page there is a "search" button. Type in Moss Wall in there and see what comes up. I don't have time to look for it now, but a few people here have done a moss wall already, and have shared their experience and answered all the questioned you asked earleir.

    Good luck dude... it's a long and painful task. (Lots of fertz, CO2 if possible, and lots of patience and time!)
     
  7. OP
    Vis

    Vis Gerhard

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    Ok so eventually got round to building one. Followed the steps in the link on top. Now it only needs to grow.

    The mesh I used you can get from most Materiaal shops. You get all kinds off colour and hole sizes. Completely 100% synthetic.

    Moss 1.jpg

    Moss 2.jpg

    Moss 3jpg.jpg
     
  8. johan008

    johan008

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    For another dumb question, what type of moss will be the best for such a project
     
  9. Linxie

    Linxie

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    Nice Vis! Can't wait to see what it looks like after the moss has grown through the mesh!
     
  10. OP
    Vis

    Vis Gerhard

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    I used java moss and looks like most of the other people did. Grows fast and not so sensitive like the others. Still do not like temps above 25C.
    Or it could be because it is the easiest to get hold of.

    Not sure if the way it grows make it more ideal. Most of the mosses looks the same to me anyway.
     
  11. OP
    Vis

    Vis Gerhard

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    Thanks Linxie. Hopefully it would look somewhat like these in the pic.

    @ johan Look at the link and you would get an idea of the other mosses.

    Like they say short and sweet.

    http://www.killies.com/Truthaboutmosses.htm

    Think christmas moss would look the best.
     
    Last edited: Mar 25, 2010
  12. Linxie

    Linxie

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    I'm sure it's going to look awesome! Now I want to do this aswell LOL
    But I know the kuhli's will probably find a way to squeeze in there somewhere.
     
  13. OP
    Vis

    Vis Gerhard

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    Had the same problem with my neons the first attempt.

    This time I made sure the mesh went all the way to the top of the tank and some of it is burried under the substrate at the back.
    The sides are ver close to the sides of the tank, so now they have to get around the mesh before they would be able to get stuck.
     
  14. Linxie

    Linxie

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    That's a clever idea (sticking the mesh into the substrate and letting it go over the top of the tank.

    Think I'll do this on the betta tank... won't be many plants in there yet so it should look nice :)
     
  15. snyper564

    snyper564 Dwarf Puffer

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    HAHA i have been looking up the moss wall stuff all week and now there is a post here small world:) My only problem is getting the moss now and the having time to do it:) Some of those tanks with the moss walls look abs amazing
     
  16. Linxie

    Linxie

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    Hey snyper, you could ask the guys in your area if they don't have any moss to spare... or even ask Dolphin if he has any :)
     
  17. snyper564

    snyper564 Dwarf Puffer

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    I have im just waiting for replies :)
     
  18. johan008

    johan008

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    Thanx Vis for the link I think with this thread their will be many guys that will try their hand at it
     
  19. OP
    Vis

    Vis Gerhard

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    Mine will take time to fill in but I think once you have to trim you are going to end up with masses of moss each month.

    Agreed, I like the one that looks if the entire tank was scaped with only moss.

    Would try and make one of christmas moss if I had some. I know Prof does so if you get any maybe you can do the chritmas one and we can compare it to my Java one.


    Anything to help.
     
  20. Zoom

    Zoom Retired Moderator

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    I agree with y'all.. moss walls do look stunning....The make a fantastic background, and I think they are cool nitrate chowers...

    Only downside to them is they are HUGE maintenance! But I suppose with everything stunning there comes the down side.
     
  21. Theo

    Theo

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    just glue it down with some silicone? that it should be cool?

    what maintenance do you have to do?

    setup a algea scrubber if you wanting something to chow nitrates
     

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