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What is a Marimo moss ball
Marimo is a type of moss ball that mainly grows in the northern hemisphere. Marimo is its Japanese name; it’s also is known as a Cladophora ball.
Like most underwater plants, it photosynthesises, it takes in carbon dioxide and releases oxygen as well as consuming nitrates. The moss balls are nearly indestructible – no amount of nudging from your curious fishes will bring these down!
Despite their name, they are in fact not related to moss at all; they are more closely related to algae. The name “Marimo” was coined by the Japanese botanist Takiya Kawakami, a combination of “Mari”, meaning bouncy play ball, and “Mo”, a general term for water plants.
The benefits of a marimo ball
The Marimo moss ball brings with it a variety of benefits to your aquarium:
1. Aesthetics: First of all, the marimo moss balls look great! Looking right at home with other plants in a home aquarium, and provide a very clean yet natural feel to their environment.
Even on their own, moss balls are a nice addition to any themed tank. Our beta fish have always approved the introduction of a moss ball to their home!
2. Reducing Nitrates: Nitrates are produced by fish during the course of their life. The level is usually harmless to them, but this is why it is important to do regular water changes.
However, having a Marimo moss ball in the tank can help reduce the number of nitrates at all times. They feed on these nitrates to survive and grow.
3. Phosphates and particulates: The Moss balls not only provide an active defence against nitrate levels but also a passive one. Their spongy texture allows them to act as a filter, removing phosphates and particulates from the tank, which algae would use to feed and grow on things such as aquarium plants, cutting off sunlight or even on the glass walls themselves.
4. Oxygen: Just like humans fish breath oxygen – fish take their oxygen from the water using their gills (A side fact – Did you know betta fish are one of very few fish that can even take oxygen from above the water’s surface – but that’s another blog post).
As fish breathe they take (and use up) the oxygen in the water and replace it with carbon dioxide. Well guess what? That’s right marimo moss balls take in this waste carbon dioxide and replace it with oxygen. Your fish will be pleased!
5. They are cheap!
6. Easy! Marimo moss balls are so easy to look after. Once you add them to your tank they require no attention!
Marimo Moss Ball Care
Taking care of your marimo moss ball is easy! In most cases you add them to your tank and they will then become part of your aquarium’s aesthetics. Providing both style and helping keep your tank water clean.
However, if you wish for the healthiest marimo moss ball here are a few tips for you…
Light
Marimo balls require low to medium levels of indirect light – too much sunlight can cause them to brown.
If this begins to happen with your moss ball, the best solution is to simply move the ball into an area of the tank with lower light levels.
Water Changes
Take the time during water changes to agitate the moss ball slightly or simply place it on another side. This is to make sure it gets an even amount of light all around and also to retain its round shape.
Floating
Floating is a regular sight for moss balls. Usually, it indicates a trapped air bubble inside, this can be fixed by gently squeezing the ball.
Usually floating happens when you first add a marimo moss ball to the tank. It will usually sink within a few days of being added to a tank.
Don’t worry if your moss ball floats when you first add it to the tank, why not leave it there for your betta fish to investigate?
How to know if your moss ball is dead
A dead moss ball can be identified as it will be mostly or completely brown, which indicates it is either completely or mostly unrecoverable. At this point, the moss ball can simply be removed as regular garden/organic waste. There is no way to rejuvenate them at this stage
How do I get my moss ball?
When we ship our moss balls they will come in a heat sealed zip lock bag that was only packed on the day of shipping. We usually ship them with some water in the bag so they can be buoyant.
They should appear GREEN and FLAT due to transport (As they normally get flatten due to shipping).
There will also be a slight odour – like when rain falls on dry land.
We encourage you to give them a rinse under water to clear out any excess cloudiness and also roll them with your hand (like you do with a snot ball)
IF your moss ball arrives BROWN or LOOKS DECAYED It means that it has died (which rarely happens but can happen – thus the reason why we send them via Express/ Sendle/ AusPost Snail Mail)
If this happens please send photos and videos using the Facebook Messenger icon and we will send you a fresh one.
Do you sell kits?
Yes, we will be selling kits. Please send us an enquiry so we can understand your requirements.
We have noticed that a few of competitors are using Shells or Sand that is not suitable for your marimo moss. We urge you to be aware of these as Marimo Moss naturally occurs in acidic regions and the kits that is supplied will not be great for the mosses’ well being.
Reference and image from: https://japanesefightingfish.org/marimo-moss-balls/
How do you send this item?
This plant is usually sent via Snail Australia Post Mail that can take up to one week to reach you. If you like to get it sent via Express Post please message us and we can arrange it. Additional Charges apply.
THIS IS AN AUSSIE GROWN STOCK
