Baos Posted June 1, 2009 Report Share Posted June 1, 2009 I was at a lake today and I believe we found some native north American growing moss balls. We found lots scattered accross a beach both dry and living. Any input? I'm considering putting them in my aquarium. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BettaFishMommy Posted June 1, 2009 Report Share Posted June 1, 2009 i'd be worried about pesiticides and such that might be in these 'canuck balls'. also, if they are composed of algae the way a marimo is, is the algae going to behave the same way or will the balls cause an algae outbreak in your tank? i'd try them in a tank with no livestock in it, so as to not pose any potential danger to any of your finkids. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baos Posted June 1, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 1, 2009 We ripped them apart on the beach and found basically the same makeup as marimo. The algae is slightly different in colour and the water they came out of based on my really really old ph test was about 9.4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randy Posted June 1, 2009 Report Share Posted June 1, 2009 I'd be worried about parasites. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BettaFishMommy Posted June 1, 2009 Report Share Posted June 1, 2009 9.4! pretty sure your test is expired, but if not maybe we've found the solution to being able to have plants in our high ph cichlid tanks! lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baos Posted June 1, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 1, 2009 I checked some scientific info on the lake, 8.8 – 9.2 is the ph range for this lake. The lake is known for very clear algae free water and although it's water source has high amounts of nutrient the lake never tests high for nutrients. Maybe we know why now =) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corrosionjerry Posted June 1, 2009 Report Share Posted June 1, 2009 Make sure you update us on your findings with these moss balls.... Interesting find....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firestorm Posted June 3, 2009 Report Share Posted June 3, 2009 I would definitely QT them first to be sure any parasites or bugs are no longer in them. I say give it a try in a separate tank for them for a while Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iceturf Posted June 3, 2009 Report Share Posted June 3, 2009 I would definitely QT them first to be sure any parasites or bugs are no longer in them. I say give it a try in a separate tank for them for a while Maybe increase the salinity with regular table salt to aggitate any parasites and related...? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crystal Posted June 11, 2009 Report Share Posted June 11, 2009 I would isolate them in a tank with no plants or fish for about 2 months. We had those at our old lake property (ph of about 8), they do great, but can harbour a small (worm?) which can get into other plants roots and (melt?) them - the plants came back, but it was a quarantine tank with low doses of copper which suspect killed the plant parasite. They clear up cloudy water and out combat algae like a dream though. I lost mine when my one tank crashed while I was on holidays - I may have to go get more... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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