Moss in sealed tao huey tub for 6 weeks

[muakmuak]

I found a tub of moss in my tank cabinet last night. I forgotten all about it as it was in a plastic bag. Estimated it must have been in the cabinet for 6-8 weeks.

Opened up the cover to check the moss. They still looked green but smells like fart. Suspect it must be due to some gas released by the moss build up inside the sealed tub.

Question: Can I still use them or should I discard? I dont want my tank to smell like toilet bowl if that smell still lingers.

Any kind advice/sharing will be greatly appreciated.

[limz_777]

the smell could be from the foul tank water

[qngwn]

take the moss out, wash with tap water, and put the moss inside your tank, dont need to use back the toilet smell water..

[muakmuak]

thanks guys. glad i can still salvage the moss. i will do that tonight.

[David]

as long as it does not smell of stink bomb (Hydrogen Sulphite toxic to both plants and fish?)....wash will be fine....

[muakmuak]

thanks david. i am not really sure how the stink bomb smells like but it was quite overwhelming when i tried to sniff it last night.
I think I will have to wash more thoroughly before putting them into my tank. Thanks for the advice.

[qngwn]

Smell of rotten eggs! Yes it is toxic for flora and fauna. Maybe for me as well, almost puke and fainted when I had a sniff of it past time.

Maybe a wash under running water and a soak in a clean tub of water for a while will help..

[David]

.....on a personal note, would it not be better to throw it away than take the risk?

[muakmuak]

well ..... on second thought I guess David is right. Not worth taking the risk since I am starting a new tank. Dont want to introduce anything toxic and invite more problems in future.

@qngwn, yes it smells like rotten eggs exactly (rather than the underrated "smells like fart" described in my early post). Or perhaps my fart not as smelly as rotten eggs

[qngwn]

Personally, I would use it as long as the plants are fine and have been thoroughly washed.

If I'm afraid, I'll put it inside a new tub of water, leave it open for a few days before using them again.

[David]

sounds viable too...and if it still smells bad after a few days then consider throwing away.

[qngwn]

I only throw my plants if they're dying.. Else it's quite a waste to throw if it can grow, or perhaps enemy someone else.. Haha

[David]

Hahahaha.....that was an evil thought......

[changyao]

i will throw it away if i leave it for 2 weeks in the cupboard. 6-8 weeks? just flush them down the toilet

[felix_fx2]

moss don't need alot of light to survive even in the plastic bag maybe it still have enought light to survive. thats why the green color.

[muakmuak]

hmm.....but it was left in the cabinet without light for 6-8 weeks. was surprised to see they are still green.
i will do the experiment tonight to see if there are still any foul smell after rinsing them.

[felix_fx2]

hmm.....but it was left in the cabinet without light for 6-8 weeks. was surprised to see they are still green.
i will do the experiment tonight to see if there are still any foul smell after rinsing them.

i take back the above words LOL. sure is a blackout 100%.. no algae left.. plants also start dying...the smell should be from dying stuff man..
The foul smell can be rinsed off, but if still green.. i really see you are lucky! good luck boy!

[David]

Some plants are more resilient to blackout and perhaps there could be stray light going in. As long as they are green, soak them in fresh water and see how it fairs in a week. You can throw it away, but that would be the end of it.

[qngwn]

As long as they do not start browning, it should be fine and that they're alive..

[Ken_ng]

I had an identical experience. Two tubs of Christmas moss sitting in the beancurd tub for a couple of days.
Accidentally knocked one over and it went all over the floor. Had to clean like crazy. The entire house reeked with some drain/rotten egg smell for almost two days.
Will never forget the smell. reall very very powerful.