Growing moss fast

[Navyblue]

I need a lot of easy to keep moss to carpet the whole tank, which I haven't set up yet.

I wonder does mosses, like java moss grow faster emersed?

If so, I intend to lay the moss on egg crates, which I will place in a shallow tray of water (with liquid fert if necessary), and place it by the window.

Would it work?

Is it necessary?

If I move the moss into submerged water (specifically in a low tech tank), would it have die off and render the process useless?

Are there any better ways?

[gene]

it wouldnt die off, but the growth pattern will probably be different.

[Navyblue]

Thanks, but would it grow faster?

And what moss is best for this?

[jemswira]

Emersed growth for mosses is quite fine. DSM usually is faster and cheaper for growth due to a less algae problems as well as more CO2 for the plant. However some plants do Have a transitional stage to the submersed form, which is like sort of a dieoff but it will grow back.
It is possible to avoid that dieoff so your tank is "converted" faster, but that involves very high Co2 concentrations

[Navyblue]

How about increasing the water level very slowly? Or dose excel?

[jemswira]

For that, google is your friend. But I think increasing water slowly wouldn't work, while excel might.
Just my guesses and reasoning, so best you read up more.

[Navyblue]

How about increasing the water level very slowly? Or dose excel?

[diazman]

Good C02 and water flow to the moss will speed up their growth. higher lighting helps BUT it will invite algae.

[Navyblue]

I am looking for experience of increasing the growth fast, apart from the more light/nutrient/CO2 which applies to pretty much everything.

I have googled it and nothing indicate that growing them emersed is faster, only that they grow emersed and dry and growth pattern is different. Nor I found any indication that moss had the emersed->submerged die off, only submerged->emerged die off.

[Draka]

Growing plants in general, aquatic moss included, emersed is faster if done properly. Emersed to submerged or submerged to emersed will definitely include a transitional period, where some will die off since their growth habit and method of taking in nutrients are different in both environments.

Of course, submerged you can also grow some plants fast with an excess of nutrients, light and high carbon dioxide, but as before, once the conditions change, the plants will need some time for adjustment and some may die off if the new conditions aren't able to support.

[jemswira]

Emersed growth simply has more CO2 accessible for the plants. Like you said, the more light/nutrient/CO2 applies to everything. Wouldn't that mean faster growth

[Navyblue]

That is generally true. But someone believes java moss in particular grow better submeged.

http://www.aquaticquotient.com/forum...Singapore-moss

[Draka]

Haha ok lor

[jemswira]

Well then it would probably depend on what conditions you grow it in. Where I get my moss for free, I see it growing under the water's edge and well above the water's edge. Just to be clear, I'm not taking from a nature reserve or anything.
From what I understand, injecting CO2 can lead to more available CO2 for the plants than if it were in the air. Sometimes up to several times that amount. In that case one of the main benefits of growing moss emersed is not as beneficial as if it were to be grown submerged.
One benefit of growing it submerged is nutrients in the water column. If you were to grow the moss on an inert substrate emersed, it may lack the nutrients it requires, thus stunting/slowing growth. You could dose the water column with fertilizers if you wanted, or fish could provide the nutrients. But similarly, you could use a plant specific substrate for growth, or mist with water and fertilizers mixed.
My 2c, all from a theoretical "logical" standpoint, and not exactly in practice. *heh*

[Navyblue]

That made sense. Thanks.

I suppose, if not using CO2, I guess the fastest way would be to grow it emersed while dosing fert, at least in theory.

[jemswira]

Yeah that would be my conclusion too. Just take note, I wouldn't really bother with excel when dosing emersed plants.

Oh and regarding the transition phase from emersed to submerged, there are many pages detailing how to avoid it.

[ralliart12]

Does the (ambient air) temperature matter much when growing moss in emersed conditions?

[felix_fx2]

How come dosing excel for moss?
Dose too much become brownish.

Ample light + co2 enriched waters, grow fast enough for java moss.

I feel java moss does better submersed then emerged culture. In view of that, just how many done emersed java moss

[Navyblue]

I didn't know excel doesn't work with moss, anyway I scrapped the idea, doesn't seem to be worth the effort.

[ralliart12]

I didn't know excel doesn't work with moss...

I have a feeling too much excel on emersed moss, may "burn" the fronds.