Marimo Balls

[jodilynn]

As someone who has a brown thumb (both in the water and out), I have found Marimo balls to be an easy way to add live plants to my tanks.

My question is: does anyone have a recommendation as to how many to keep in a tank to be useful?

I per 10 gallons of water? 5?

Thanks!

[Psy]

To reduce nitrogen? A lot of them.

That is the bane of many slow growing, easy to do plants. They have low requirements, but don't grow fast enough to take out much.

[dw1305]

Hi all,

That is the bane of many slow growing, easy to do plants. They have low requirements, but don't grow fast enough to take out much.

As someone who has a brown thumb (both in the water and out),

Any plants are better than none (and by "plants" I'll include all photosynthetic organisms), but I think Psy is right you would need a lot of Marimo balls to have a noticeable effect on water quality.

I know that your water is very salty and alkaline, but have you tried "Hornwort" or "Coontail" (Ceratophyllum demersum) it is a good plant for hard, salty water, and grows reasonably quickly.

cheers Darrel

[jodilynn]

Yes, I was thinking "something is better than nothing" lol! I started with a large one in my 2.5 gallon betta tank, and I do believe it's helped. That tank always seems so clear! I can't put it into words, the tank just looks amazing.

I have several large ones that I ordered, right now there are large (2+ inch diameter) ones in both my 10 gallons and my one 5 gallon. I have 3 "nano' balls in my 1 gallon betta tank and 4 nanos in my other 2.5 gallon betta tank (yes, I have a LOT of bettas).

I was thinking at least 6 in my 55 gallon and 4 in my 40 gallon?

I really can't put anything else live in the 55 because my synos are such beasts they are always "rearranging" things, and my 40 gallon is a cube that I cannot reach the bottom of unless I am on a stool lol (I'm not very tall).

I tried live plants when I was younger, and it was awful! I just do not have the time/patience for them, and would rather concentrate on my fish and the tanks themselves then bother trying to mess with something I will most surely fail at! .

I am TRULY in envy of people who are able to have these magnificent planted tanks, there truly is nothing more beautiful!

[Atmichaels]

In order for the cladophora to be an effective filter, it requires some type of flow to push the water through it (or at least over it). I really wouldn't expect it to make a noticeable difference in any sizable tank. I have to second the suggestion of hornwort as it truly requires almost no maintenance. I keep it all of my tanks and just have to thin it out occasionally.

[jodilynn]

Can I just let the hornwort float? Does it need to be fertilized? Or is fish waste enough?

As far as the Marimos, I have some pretty monster filtration in all my tanks with lots of filters/bubblewands/powerheads/spray bars etc. so there is always a good amount of water movement.

[Atmichaels]

Can I just let the hornwort float? Does it need to be fertilized? Or is fish waste enough?

Yes, just toss it in and let it grow. I don't dose ferts ever.

[dw1305]

Hi all,

Can I just let the hornwort float? Does it need to be fertilized? Or is fish waste enough?

Yes, just toss it in and let it grow. I don't dose ferts ever.

That is all I do with it as well.

cheers Darrel