Say hello to Java Moss!

Aquatic moss is so fragile. Java moss can be easily  cut off, easily squished and quickly  dried out. Providing the right conditions, Java moss becomes the hardest to kill out of all the aquatic plants. There is an old saying between aquarists that once you get the Java moss in there is no getting it out and that is definitely true. Java moss is one of the fastest growing aquatic moss and once it thrives there is no getting rid of it from your aquarium. An aquarium can suddenly find itself having a lush Java Moss growth months after the original plant had been removed. 

Lighting

Like other aquatic moss species, Java moss prefers medium to low light. They are prone to algae if grown under high light and a nutrient rich water column. Hair algae on Java moss spells disaster and must be addressed immediately. If grown under low light, Java moss displays a darker green color with long intervals between branches. If grown under brighter conditions, Java moss will display a brighter green color and more compact growth. 

CO2 injection

Java Moss does not require any CO2 supplementation if grown under medium or low light. It does not hurt to have it though, in fact, it makes them healthier. Growth is much faster and achieving a desired look is much easier with CO2 supplementation.

Water Parameters

Grow Java Moss on soft water but most importantly grow moss on a slightly colder water. A water temperature of 21-26 degrees Celsius would be perfect. They can thrive in a broad range of parameters so long as the temperature is taken care of. Java moss can be observed growing on TDS of 200-300 but cold water. 

Planting and position in the aquarium

Some would use glue (cyanoacrylate) to stick them on rocks and driftwood to achieve that old rustic feel. It is advisable to use the gel type of this glue and to use very small amounts. Putting too much on rocks and wood would cover your moss rendering unsightly dead patches of moss covered in glue.

Using cotton thread, Java moss can be tied to driftwood or rocks. This is the safest way to attach them to the hardscape. This can only be used if an entire portion of wood or rock is covered. Thread will be unsightly if you use it just to put patches of moss on a big piece of rock. 

Given their ease of case, Java moss is the perfect moss type to use when practicing diorama type or forest type of aquascapes.

Trimming

Since Java moss does not have a form of its own trimming requires following the contours of the rock or piece of wood that the moss is attached to. The tricky part is to get out the trimmings after. Moss will not float. They sink to the bottom and so the regular “scooping the trimmings from the water surface without disturbing the bottom” is almost impossible. Siphoning the moss trimmings is the best way to remove unwanted moss. Small moss trimmings can easily get into filters, crevices and anywhere you would not want the moss to be. It is particularly difficult to get the small ones if they get into carpeting plants. Often there is no other way but to wait for the moss to grow above the carpet and pulling it out with tweezers or forceps. 

Summary

Java moss is a classic among the aquatic plants. Once you have it in your aquarium, there is no way to get rid of it for a long time. Due to its low requirements in terms of lighting and carbon dioxide injection, aquarists like having it in their tanks.  Java moss can be used successfully in mossarium setup as well! Deep green colour of this stunning aquatic moss will surely beautify your tank and become a great playground for shrimps and other aquatic creatures.