java moss on flywire

[Guest aqualad]

Hi there,

Anyone planted Java moss in between fly wire? (that stuff we have on the doors here) I purchased some from bunnings (the cheap plastic type) but noticed a strange plastic smell. Im airing it at the mo.

But I would hate to introduce some nasty chemical residue into my new tank.

Why fly wire?

I read somewhere it was a neat way to create a natural background wall. I thought Id give it a try.

I have some reservations.

How long it will take.

I also expect the top(closer to the lights) to grow much quicker than the bottom.

[Bren MacFish]

I think you'd probably need good light, CO2 and ferts to get it growing fast enough to cover the whole thing decently.

I've tried it on a little and it worked for a while but then it didn't get enough light for a while and it died back revealing the fly wire again.

Buy a lot of moss and stitch it on with dark green/black thread.

[Callatya]

Be careful that you have fibreglass flywire and not aluminium or that chunky stinky petproof stuff. I'd be more comfy using plastic canvas or tulle netting, but flywire should work.

I tried java moss on things, it worked OK, but not brilliantly. I used fine hairnets to secure it to pingpong balls :lol:

[Guest aqualad]

Yeah Im thinking you would have to get everything just right to get it to maintain an even enough covering for a back wall. I have achieved floor carpets of the stuff, but on wall is a different matter.

Ill need to build up my moss stocks first :lol:

[Bettarazzi]

Good lighting is a key factor I think. Java moss will survive in low light but will be really straggly. If you want it to be nice and bushy it needs a fair amount of light. I've grown java moss on coconut shells and rocks. Got a nice one at the moment growing on a couple of rocks. It has developed the nice green mound I was aiming for.