How did moss got infected?.

**octopus** · 28th Jul 2010, 19:04

I was toying with the idea of growing spiky moss tied to coconut shell in a small container(no substrate) since my tank setup was not ready yet. To accelerate growth it was injected with DIY CO2 and left outdoor. After 2 days i got more than what i bargain for. The moss was covered with a whitish slimy layer. Guess it is fungus. On the other hand, the moss in the original container in which the spiky moss was sold remains green and healthy although it was kept covered in the tau huay tub and kept next to the affected container. What conclusion can i draw from this incident?.

**eviltrain** · 28th Jul 2010, 19:54

I guess there is no flowing water in the container. That's why.

**octopus** · 28th Jul 2010, 23:16

Originally Posted by eviltrain

I guess there is no flowing water in the container. That's why.

I thought of the possibility also but how come the other tub also without flowing water was not infected. Could it be because the moss was floating freely and not tied down.

**Royston** · 29th Jul 2010, 04:32

Maybe coconut "not clean" or your DIY CO2 leaked and contaminated the water whereas the "control sample" did not have the DIY CO2.

**Shadow** · 29th Jul 2010, 19:16

The fungus may grow from the coconut shell

**octopus** · 29th Jul 2010, 21:23

I thought it was just a simple problem of poor circulation. I did not expect so many possibilities. Just curious how to know if co2 is leaking. I can see the bubble coming out of the airstone, in which case is there still a possibility of leaking?.

**marcusth** · 25th Aug 2010, 12:10

From what i know, moss doesn't really require much CO2 to grow properly. So long it is kept in a cool with good lighting, it will be fine. Which is y it is 1 of the most common plant in low tech tank...So maybe the temperature itself can be an issue

If there is bubbles coming out from the Co2 stone, i guess it is probably ok, even if there is a leakage somewhere, it fine...if you reallly want to find out, what i did last time for any air leakage is applying soap water with lot of soap bubble on the tube and look for sign of leakage, u might wan to try

**StanChung** · 25th Aug 2010, 13:42

I think it's the DIY CO2 mixture goo leaking.

**Kiatster** · 31st Aug 2010, 13:40

Robert is right, the coconut shell may have been contaminated with spores before you used it. I had the same problem. Slimy stuff only on the shell. But my endlers eat the slime and seems to like it. =S