How to Grow Aquarium Moss? 

An aquarium is a mini-ecosystem that you have in your home. You can keep plants, fish, and décor in your miniature ecosystem. Along with it, you can have moss in your aquarium as well. Keeping moss in your aquarium is not a bad idea at all.

They will give a fresh and natural look to your aquarium. Not only that they benefit the aquarium as well by keeping the ecosystem under control. Maintaining them is not difficult as they don’t demand too much care.  

In this article, you will find the best ways by which you can grow your moss in the best way possible. 

Why Would you want Moss in your Aquarium? Or its Benefits.  

Aquarium mosses are time and again picked for their distinctive character of giving off an artistic spectacle. Although, these mosses bring out more than just a pleasant and satisfying view. They aid in enhancing water quality by absorbing particles and assist fish fry or babies in evading predators.

The fact that they can improve water quality is impressive, making every aquarium owner get them in their tank.

The mosses will facilitate you in removing the nitrates and excess nutrients by absorbing them. They don’t require extra help in absorbing the nitrates and nutrients, contradictory to the plants that need longer lights and fertilizers to work better. 

In terms of appearance there are a lot of things you can do with it. You can easily anchor them to different parts of the aquarium. Aquarium plants can either be anchored in the gravel or let float. Mosses can be anchored to items that extend well into the tank’s center.

There’s a good chance you’ll be able to grow one or more species of aquarium moss there, competing for the nitrates and light algae that thrive there.

Aquarium moss may be used to create a variety of designs, from delicate bushes to cave cornices. Everything you’ll need is your creativity and scissors.  

How to Grow Aquarium Moss?  

It is relatively easy to grow aquarium moss. Although it is easy, after placing it in an aquarium, there are circumstances that you have to keep in balance and maintain.  

Factors involved for the growth of your Moss

• Clean water that is filtered
• Your Tank should have less algae or should not have a algae bloom
• Temperature 69℉ to 76℉
• Illumination is not needed much

Placing of moss in aquarium  

In the case of placing the moss in your aquarium, it is a piece of cake. The mosses can attach themselves to any surface comfortably with their rhizoids in no time. You can place them on the surface where you want the moss, and they will fasten themselves to it.

You can also use threads to attach them to driftwoods or decors. If you’re worried about the cord being a hindrance in terms of appearance, they will be covered once the moss has grown.

Also, remember to use a cotton thread for attaching.  

You can use glue as well to attach them to surfaces in the aquarium. But make sure to use glue made for the aquarium.  

Temperature preferences 

Mosses are not that needy in terms of temperature. Almost all the mosses can thrive in temperatures around 69℉ to 76℉. They prefer cool temperatures and are not that needy.

It is not that the mosses only in cool temperatures they can adapt to slightly higher temperatures as well but won’t be able to grow in the best of conditions.  

Nutrients and light   

In terms of nutrients and carbon dioxide, the mosses are not wanting of them too much. Contradictory to the plants, they don’t require nutrients to grow and thrive.

It is the same in the case of light requirements as well. The mosses need not require too much light to grow.  

Usually, aquarium owners keep different kinds of mosses in the same aquarium. If you fall in that category, it is better to know the light requirements of all the mosses.

For if you maintain light according to only one moss species, then the others will be neglected. The faster-growing mosses will keep growing, and the slower ones will wither away. 

Tidying up the moss 

If you neglect the moss and just let it grow, it will not stop growing and take over the whole tank. So it is suggested that you trim it if you feel like it has grown too big. Pruning it will stop it from growing too much, and you are free to shape it to your preference. With trimming, it will look pleasant and pleasing rather than the wild look it will give by being too long.  

Trimming is essential if you have different kinds of moss in one tank. As the faster-growing species will not let the slower-growing ones get much light. So you have to keep trimming the ones that grow quickly and keep them equal.  

Keeping algae at bay  

Algae can grow over mosses. You don’t want this happening as the algae will affect not only the mosses but your plants as well. They will take in the nutrients and can lead to algae outbursts which you won’t want to happen. To evade algae growth in your moss, it is better to make preventions by not giving it the advantage.

Don’t use too much light, keep the aquarium away from windows, don’t add too many nutrients, and let there not be any leftover food. If you keep in mind all these things, then algae won’t have a chance to spread towards your mosses.  

If your moss is already infected with algae, then trim the parts that have algae on them. Cleaning the moss is near impossible, so it’s better you cut off algae-infested parts. They will regrow in no time.  

Keep the tank clean  

If your tank is dirty or if you take too long intervals in cleaning the tank, then don’t expect your mosses to grow properly. The mosses cant become lively as they should be if your tank is dirty. So clean your tank frequently like once a week. Keep and maintain a good filter. Keep your tank clean and watch your mosses thrive. 

Easiest Moss to Grow in your Aquarium

It is beyond doubt that in everything some will stand out to be the best ones. Regarding mosses, some variety is easy and friendly to keep in your aquarium. A multitude of mosses are there that you can have in your aquarium, but keeping all of them is impossible. So here is a list of mosses that prove to be more suitable for an aquarium than the others.  

Java moss (Taxiphyllum barbieri)

Well, first comes the well-known Java moss. With their plumed and light green look, they give your aquarium a natural look. They will grow without any trouble after latching it onto any surface. They are not high maintenance and can thrive and do well in a wide range of conditions.  

Although Java moss does not require special lighting or nutrients, some people think that it best grows at colder temperatures. As a note, they do grow really slowly, but it grows pretty well and spreads in a good manner, so its worth the wait.

Peacock Moss (Selaginella willdenowii)

Next is the Peacock Moss. Straightaway from its name, you can get the idea that they give about a gorgeous appearance. This fern is adorned with a magnificent green shade and grows up to a bush. This moss is also equal to java moss in terms of maintenance. They do well in any conditions.  

It is not difficult to maintain and can be handled easily by a novice. It thrives in water that is between 65°F and 77°F and is cold.

Flame moss (Taxiphyllum)

The flame moss is famous for the way it grows. Flame moss is an ideal choice as well for an aquarium. They grow to give off an exuberant look. As this moss grows upward, coiling all the way. So with flame moss, your aquarium will be filled with sheets of greenery. They don’t grow that quickly, but with the right conditions, they grow fairly quickly.  

The ease with which it spreads, its beautiful appearance, and its low upkeep requirements make it one of the most popular mosses for any freshwater aquarium. Flame moss looks fantastic. Flame mosses, with their luminous green luminescence of plant life, have the potential to enhance the appeal of any aquarium tank.

Weeping moss (Vesicularia ferriei)

Weeping moss is a unique moss that you can have in your aquarium. They grow downwards, thereby giving your aquarium a fancy and extraordinary look. Placing them on driftwoods, caves and decors prove to be beneficial as they will give an extravagant appearance. Their shade of green is on the darker side.  

It will reach a maximum height of one inch. The plant does not have roots, but it does contain rhizoids. The rhizoids help the plant to attach itself to an object naturally. Which means they can attach themselves to any driftwood or rocks in your Aquarium.

Phoenix Moss (Fissidens Fontanus)

Phoenix Moss grows to give out a spherical look as it spreads from a point. In an aquarium, they will look like soft bright green tufts. They are easy to maintain as well, for they can thrive in a wide of parameters. 

The center of the moss erupts upward, spouting off in various directions. Phoenix Moss can be found growing in tanks with low levels of light. Water temperatures between 65 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit are ideal for Phoenix Moss growth.

Filtering is very much necessary for the growth of this moss. It purifies the water and generates some movement in the water. If filtration isn’t included in the tank, organic waste will be absorbed by the plant.

You can choose mosses from here as these are the best ones that you can keep in your aquarium. But don’t feel obliged, you can go for other types as well.

Just remember to do a background check of their requirements. See whether they can remain in harmony with the species of fish that you have and the plants that you have in your aquarium. 

Mosses are essential for a tank not only for their appearance but for other aspects as well. They will maintain the water parameters by absorbing nitrates and ammonia. Meaning they will contribute to the health of your fish.

Keeping and growing them is also not that hard, all you need to do is maintain temperatures and other things. Getting them to you is not difficult as they can easily attach to anything. If you are thinking of getting moss for your aquarium, then go for it!