Moss Ball Care

Change water once every two weeks using regular tap water (for best results, allow water to sit out for 24 hours prior to changing the water). You'll need to change the water more often in summer, as it will heat and evaporate more quickly.

How long do moss balls last?

Marimo balls are regarded as good luck charms in Japan, and since they have been known to live to 200 years or longer, they are often kept as family heirlooms.

Do moss balls need to be cleaned?

Change the water and clean marimo moss balls every one to two weeks—more often in summer and less often in winter. For plant bowls, replace all of the water with new tap water. For filtered aquariums, replace 25 percent of the water with new tap water. Marimo balls thrive when they're clean.

Can moss balls be touched?

You may gently squeeze your Moss Ball Pets to flush out any dirt trapped in it. You may also gently rolls your Moss Ball Pets back and forth on your palm to help them retain their round shape.

How do you keep moss balls alive?

Moss balls are aquatic plants, so they must live submerged in cool water, preferably under 77 degrees Fahrenheit. These plants aren't too picky about the type of water; it just has to be freshwater. "I use my tap water, but well water, distilled water, or rainwater would be fine as well," says Steinkopf.

What do you do when you first get a moss ball?

When you first get your marimo ball, rinse it in aquarium water, place it in the tank, and you're done! It may float at first but should eventually sink once it becomes waterlogged. They appreciate low to medium light, so keep them out of direct sunlight.

Do moss balls multiply?

They usually reproduce through budding. This is an asexual form of reproduction that can take place when the moss ball is big enough and has enough room to continue growing. You might notice a little bump forming on its rounded surface and that is how you can tell that it is creating another marimo!

How often should I roll my moss ball?

Roll your balls. You need to roll your moss ball every other week or so to make sure all sides of it receive light evenly. If you only allow one side to receive that the other side won't grow and will probably start turning brown.

What happens if a moss ball dries out?

Answer: Unfortunately, marimos will dry up over time. They can survive out of water for an extended period of time, but they'll eventually start to shrivel if you don't give them a supply of water. Just think of them as another houseplant.

How do you rejuvenate a moss ball?

How to “refresh” Marimo Moss Balls

1. Step 1: Remove from your tropical aquarium.
2. Step 2: Clean Them.
3. Step 3: Dump the water, and fill the container with fresh dechlorinated water.
4. Step 4: Stick in your fridge. ...
5. Step 5: Place back in tank!

Do moss balls make tank dirty?

Best of all, moss balls will not turn your tank's water green like other forms of unwanted algae. With that said, make sure you don't add any algae killing chemicals to your aquarium. There are lots of benefits to keeping marimo as a tank mate, especially since they don't produce any waste.

What is inside a moss ball?

These balls are made up of filamentous green algae (Aegagropila Linnaei). This growth form of the algae is known from only two lakes in the world today; Lake Myvatn in Iceland (where it is called kúluskítur), and Lake Akan in Japan (where it is known as Marimo).

Are moss ball pets alive?

Is A Moss Ball Pet “Alive”? A moss ball pet is alive, and will grow at a very slow rate of speed. Marimo moss balls are solid algae. They grow at just five millimetres per year, which is pretty impressive considering how big they are when you get them.

Can you keep a moss ball in a jar?

They're billed as a low-maintenance houseplant, and that they are: just stick your ball(s) in a jar of water in bright light and, well, that's it. That's right, a jar of water.

Where do you put moss balls?

Just put Moss Balls in the aquarium and let them float around or sink to the bottom. A Marimo Moss Ball will find a spot and stay there. They can be kept alone, in small groups, or even in larger groups if space permits. They grow very slowly, and if conditions are good, they will get visibly larger over time.

Do moss balls need food?

Every time you feed your fish, you are also feeding the moss ball, so no fertilizers are required. There is only one task that must be done for a Marimo: it needs to be squeezed outside of the tank every once in a while. Yes, you should actually squeeze it (as you can't do with the cheap Java knockoffs).

Do moss balls need Gravel?

Materials You Will Need At least 2 Marimo moss balls. A glass terrarium, mason jar, or a glass vase. Smooth sea glass gravel (looks best after dark with lighted terrariums), small black river pebbles, or colored sand. Tap water at room temperature.

Do moss balls need ice?

Remember, these green beauties are native to cold lakes prefer to be chilly. Next, fill the vase with cold tap water and add a few ice cubes. Replace the marimo into their new water and back to their indirectly lit home.

How do you change the water in a moss ball?

WATER CHANGES

1. Carefully lift up your Marimo moss ball and place it in a safe spot.
2. Pour out all the water and, if needed, clean the bottle/bowl.
3. Fill your bottle /bowl with clean tap water.
4. Carefully roll your Marimo between your hands.

How long should you quarantine moss balls?

Quarantine and monitor your aquarium for at least 6 months.