Marimo and Volcanic Shrimp

[kimkeat]

Hi,

I have some christmas moss (tying to a driftwood and a stainless steel mesh) and one marimo in my first ever shrimp tank which I set up about a month ago. There are about 15 cherry shrimps in it. I kind of like the marimo. The shrimps seem to like it too. There isn't any soil or gravel in the tank. Have been thinking of putting many (maybe 30 to 50) marimo in the 2 feet tank. Is it practical to do so? If so, is there any shop giving discount for bulk purchase? Is there any way to make the ball grow more quickly?

I purchased one bottle of 4 wonder shrimps with 2 tiny marimo for my child a few months ago. Only recently I found out that they are actually volcanic shrimp and it is cruel to keep them in such a tiny space. Thinking of transferring them to a proper tank. Any person has done that successfully before? Your advice is very much appreciated.

Thank you!

[Berny]

marimo grows very very very very very (ok, you got my point) slowly. A good way to get many marimo balls at 1 go, is to buy a big one, and "tear" off parts of the balls and let it sit in water, after awhile (or very long while later), they will slowly become a ball and you will have 2 balls. The downside of marimo balls is that you have to remove the debris trapped on the balls. Have to take them out and give them a gentle squeeze and flip to other side such that the bottom of the balls get to receive some sunlight and wont turn brown.

[kimkeat]

What is the maximum size for a marimo? The one I have in the tank is about 4 cm in diameter. If I split it into two, how long does it take for them to grow back to 4 cm? Years??? The two tiny ones in the bottle do not seem to grow at all after months.

Is there any way to make the balls floating freely in the water without tying them to driftwood? It will be very nice and every part will get sunlight. Mine sank after one day and stayed at the bottom of the tank since.

[Berny]

Yes, years. For max size, i have no idea, but you can visit polyart at clementi. They got a giant Marimo in their black display tank in their shop. that is roughly the size of 2 adult fist, and was told that it took them many years and its not for sale.

[kimkeat]

I cannot wait for so long, so do my shrimps. I bought mine from C328. May have to buy more from there again unless I can find a cheaper source.

[Berny]

good luck finding giant marimo, so far the only lfs that sells the "biggest" (in my opinion) moss ball is at JZX, price is relatively competitive, but size is slightly bigger than most LFS

[kimkeat]

Hi Berny,

Roughly how big is it and how much? Where is JZX? I paid $3 for the 4 cm ball. Thanks.

[Berny]

JZX is at ang mo kio block 712 I think, it's beside the jubilee shopping centre , beside the big S 11 and beside a small fruit stall. size is slightly bigger, mine was about 5-6cm I think, price around there also, same price for all size but usually they stock 2-3 balls only

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[kimkeat]

Thanks. Will go there and take a look.

[oakleyleo]

paid $4 for a marimo at a size of 7cm. Huge lump of ball sitting in my small tank. haha

[kennethc]

I tried tearing up but the smaller pieces didnt form new balls.

[Berny]

it takes time... and they grow so slowly... cooler water makes then curl up and warmer water makes them open up if I'm not wrong

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[felix_fx2]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marimo

Good read after clicking on 1st result. I googled..did you?

Extracted from wikipedia.

The growth rate of Marimo is about 5 mm per year. In Lake Akan they grow particularly large, up to 20–30 cm (8–12 inches). Mývatn, Iceland, has dense colonies of marimo that grow to about 12 cm in diameter and form well defined patches on the lake floor at depths ranging from 2–2.5 m

[kimkeat]

paid $4 for a marimo at a size of 7cm. Huge lump of ball sitting in my small tank. haha

Where did you buy it?

[kimkeat]

They grow only 5 mm per year!!!

[Berny]

that's if... the condition is right... wrong condition can have stunted growth

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[kimkeat]

I tried tearing up but the smaller pieces didnt form new balls.

Is it hollow inside?

[kennethc]

Is it hollow inside?

No it ended up in pieces of small 'mats'

[felix_fx2]

you have to keep rolling it into a ball...

the natural conditions have water movement.

ever wonder how farms grow it??

[kimkeat]

No it ended up in pieces of small 'mats'

I meant if I cut a marimo into two halves, what is at the centre? Empty? Like a rumbutan without the seed? I squeezed the water out before putting it into my tank, it became smaller but expanded back to its original size a while after I put it in the tank.