Caudata.org: Newts and Salamanders Portal

Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!
Did you know that registered users see fewer ads? Register today!

How to create a Java Moss Wall

morphyrichards

New member
Joined
Sep 21, 2009
Messages
321
Reaction score
12
Location
London
I think christmas moss will work as well as java moss but it grows at a slower rate, so be patient. It will probably take many months.

And do keep an extremely watchful eye on the fish and axolotl, especially keep an eye out for any signs of damage to your axies gills and limbs. I would be a bit paranoid about it personally.
 

twistedfisher

New member
Joined
Nov 29, 2010
Messages
199
Reaction score
10
Location
St Louis
I too am planning to do one of these "living walls" as a divider/natural filtration for my guppy/cherry shrimp tank.

I have a ton of java moss and have acquired the zip ties now i just gotta find some green mesh.

Wal Mart sells "plastic canvas" but i need to go to a craft store to get it in dark green.

So this weekend i shall go a searching!
 

dazkeirle

New member
Joined
Jun 11, 2010
Messages
497
Reaction score
23
Location
England
good on you man.

They aren't quick, but a little patience and slowly and surely they grow.
 

Biance

New member
Joined
Oct 7, 2009
Messages
62
Reaction score
2
Okay so this morning we made a moss wall for our new yabby (Abby).

We got 2 little tubs of java moss, 4 peices of thick clear plastic mesh (in the knitting section of craft store, people use it to make hideous knitted bags), fishing wire and suction cups (from pet store). We cut and sewed the peices of mesh to the right size with fishing line, then cut holes in the mesh to (perfectly) fit the suction cups in. Then we spread out the java moss and sewed the two peices together (all through the middle and edges) with fishing wire to keep the moss in place. I think with clear mesh it looks a lot nicer while it's still growing, and the fishing line is much prettier than cable ties :happy:

1-1.jpg


2-1.jpg


3-1.jpg


4-1.jpg


5-1.jpg


But, after Abby's first few hours in her new tank, tragedy has struck! I came to check on her and couldn't find her anywhere - she was stuck behind her moss wall! I un-suction cupped it, and helped her out, but I'm so worried for her! I read if they get stuck somewhere while they're moulting, and don't get out of their shell in 15 minutes, they die - and she'll be moulting heaps at this age.

I've left it just loosely sitting in her tank now, so she can't get stuck behind it, but I don't know what to do. I could either move it into my axolotl Barnaby's tank until she gets big enough that she won't get stuck (but that would be months, it's made to fit her tank so it will look silly in his tank, and I'm worried it might try to attach into his tank and I'll kill it by moving it back into hers?), or if someone has any idea how to attach it in her tank so that she wont be able to fit behind it anymore? She's about 1.5cm long at the moment, and so fragile looking!

6.jpg


7.jpg
 

sinoparapax

New member
Joined
Jun 20, 2010
Messages
7
Reaction score
0
Location
Oak Grove, Oregon
How well does Java or Xmas moss grow with no light?
I'm going to be making a mesh lid for my axie tank, so there will be some light, but I don't have an actual lightbulb over their tank (in order to keep the temperatures down.)
 

siona

Member
Joined
Dec 8, 2010
Messages
322
Reaction score
5
Location
Kent
I've just bought some plastic mesh! So pleased when I found it in a craft shop :D Pretty much the right size too. The java moss I have is all tiny peices though so I may treat myself to some ebay shopping :rolleyes:. Do I need anything between the mesh and the glass to protect the wall of the tank? I can imagine it getting all algae-fied back there...:confused:
 

mewsie

New member
Joined
Sep 12, 2010
Messages
1,210
Reaction score
26
Location
Cotswolds
Daaaz! Are you out there?

I've just made a moss wall and am insanely curious as to how yours is looking after these few months.
 

vladimere

New member
Joined
Mar 13, 2010
Messages
141
Reaction score
1
Location
australia
Can one also use that gutter guard mesh if you cant find the right mesh for it(bunnings had none nor did miter ten grrrrrrr)
 

DavidF

Member
Joined
Feb 15, 2010
Messages
85
Reaction score
4
Location
Sydney, Australia
I joined this party and made a java moss wall too. Used the same craft plastic mesh as Biance. It has been going since pre Christmas and doing ok but I was kind of hoping for better. However, now that it is in place I guess it can take as long as it needs to.

I used moss out of two different tanks and one batch is growing well and the other is not. I suspect I might end up with some bald patches and I'm not so sure what to do about that. In the good patches, there is plenty of moss growing through the mesh typically 2-3 cms. Does anyone know how to thicken it up to hide the mesh? Do you mow it like a grass lawn (trim with scissors?)

Cheers
Dave
 

ikeyballz

New member
Joined
Mar 8, 2011
Messages
24
Reaction score
1
Just made this! How long does this take?! haha I'm seeing months.. oh no!
 

mewsie

New member
Joined
Sep 12, 2010
Messages
1,210
Reaction score
26
Location
Cotswolds
well, i'm a week in, and starting to see new growth through the mesh, so its all good! Plus, Roscoe loves clinging to it, the corner is his new fave hangout. Think they're gonna love it when it's all fluffy!
 

DavidF

Member
Joined
Feb 15, 2010
Messages
85
Reaction score
4
Location
Sydney, Australia
Has there been any new posts on this topic of late from you guys that have made a moss wall? Mine must be 9-10 months old by now. Progress was initially slow but as the months have passed the moss seems very vibrant and thick in some parts now where the moss was more successful. I unfortunately have a few thinner patches where moss from a different source didnt work as well that I need to stuff some more vibrant moss in to try to fix those problem spots. I must post a few pics. Does anyone trim / mow the moss wall....I guess you have to eventually?
 

oroxine

New member
Joined
Aug 23, 2011
Messages
77
Reaction score
0
Location
The Shire (Sydney)
How do moss walls go without light? I haven't got a light in my tank and was wondering if this would still be a viable option for me? The tank isn't in direct sunlight but it would get some sun....

Also what is the maintenance with fertilizer and trimming and stuff?

I am so keen to try this but worried it will fail :(
 

DavidF

Member
Joined
Feb 15, 2010
Messages
85
Reaction score
4
Location
Sydney, Australia
My moss wall grows fine without a tank light. No ferts either. No maintenance so far too.

It was a fun project to build it and I'm overall happy with the outcome and can see that it will be a good tank background and a nice hiding place for my cherry shrimp to grow and keep cleaning the tank.

Java moss supposedly doesnt require ferts or tank lights as it still grows in low light. I'm assuming it does need some light so not sure if a tank was in a windowless room.

Java moss in my experience has been fairly idiot and bomb proof, one of the supposedly easiest plants to keep alive and grow.
 
General chit-chat
Help Users
  • No one is chatting at the moment.
    There are no messages in the chat. Be the first one to say Hi!
    Top