This blog will discuss the role of moss balls in bettas tanks.This blog will help betta keepers to know more details about moss balls and how to use them in bettas tanks and their relationship with bettas.
Overview
In this blog
- Are moss balls good for betta fish tanks?
- Scientific classification of moss ball
- What are the ideal aquarium parameters for moss balls?
- How to add marimo balls in bettas aquarium?
- How many moss balls can be kept in bettas aquarium?
- Do moss balls and bettas produce beneficial bacterias for bettas tanks?
- Do marimo balls reduce unwanted algal growth in bettas tanks?
- What is the benefit of marimo moss balls over living plants?
- How do you perform water changes in a bettas tank with moss balls?
- Are moss balls difficult to maintain?
- Do moss balls live in harmony with each other?
- Why do moss balls turn brown on one side?
- Why do moss balls turn white?
- Why do moss balls turn yellow?
- Why do moss balls turn black?
- How to treat a sick moss ball?
- Summary
- Frequently asked questions
Are moss balls good for betta fish tanks?
Moss balls is a type of green algae that is shaped like a ball and measures 2 to 5 inches in diameter. Algae balls are purchased for home aquariums to help absorb harmful nutrients in the water and reduce unwanted algae growth.
Moss balls help to remove ammonia, nitrites and nitrates from the tank, and use them as a form of nutrient fertilizer.The balls also remove some carbon dioxide from the water and replace it with oxygen, which is great for betta fish.
Many betta lovers, both beginners and experienced, use marimo moss balls for betta aquariums.Moss ball is an alga,but it is not the type of alga that spreads throughout the aquarium.
These algae do not turn the water in the tank green.They are practically maintenance-free, look great and are liked by the inhabitants of the aquarium.
Scientific classification of moss ball
| Scientific name | Aegagropila linnaei |
| Class | Ulvophyceae |
| Family | Pithophora Ceae |
| Order | Cladophorales |
| Other names | Marimo, cladophora ball, lake ball, mossimo, seaweed ball, algae ball, japanese moss ball. |
What are the ideal aquarium parameters for moss balls?
- Aquarium water temperature: 72 – 78 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Aquarium water pH: Wide range, can be slightly acidic or alkaline.
- Aquarium Lighting: Wide range from low light to high light.They should be protected from direct sunlight as it can easily turn brown when exposed to direct sunlight.
How to add marimo balls in bettas aquarium?
Use a pitcher or bowl of water from the aquarium.Add marimo moss balls to this water, rinse and wring them out to remove dirt,or take the moss ball out of the aquarium and put it in a bucket of water from the old aquarium.
Gently grasp the ball to remove the water.The ball flattens each time it is squeezed, but when returned to the tank it absorbs water and returns to a round shape.
How many moss balls can be kept in bettas aquarium?
Simply add moss balls in the aquarium and let it float or sink to the bottom of the aquarium. Marimo or moss balls find a spot and stay there.
They can be kept alone, in small groups, or even larger groups if space allows.They grow very slowly and, in good conditions, grow visibly over time.
Do moss balls produce beneficial bacterias for bettas tanks?
All aquariums need beneficial bacteria to break down the ammonia, nitrite, and nitrates produced by breaking down fish excrement, uneaten food, dead plants, and common aquarium debris.
Marimo balls provide a large surface area for the growth of beneficial bacterial colonies of these species and help improve the water quality in betta tanks.
Do marimo balls reduce unwanted algal growth in bettas tanks?
Algae often grow in plantless tanks, feed on nutrients in the water column, and use light to photosynthesize.
However, adding some marimo moss balls to the tank will allow those nutrients to be used immediately,preventing other types of algae from growing very actively and disrupting the tank.
What is the benefit of marimo moss balls over living plants?
One of the major problems with living plants is dropping dead leaves and producing waste.
The leaves eventually fall to the bottom of the tank and decompose, producing ammonia and increasing the strain on the filtration system.
Marimo moss balls, on the other hand, produce no waste by-products unless they are dead and that is also quite rare.
How do you perform water changes in a bettas tank with moss balls?
You should also check the moss balls for signs of browning or fading every time you change the water or thoroughly clean your betta’s tank.
In a container of aquarium water, slowly squeeze the moss ball to drain the water, then re-saturate it.
Are moss balls difficult to maintain?
- Moss balls require very little maintenance.It can be kept in tap water, although it stays cleaner for longer in reverse osmosis or filtered water.
- Tap water is sufficient for bettas.It is recommended to change the water in which the moss ball lives on a weekly or bi-weekly basis.
- Overgrowth and dead leaves need to be pruned on a regular basis to keep the plant healthy and aesthetically pleasing.
- Marimo moss ball does not require extensive maintenance.All you have to do is flip the balls every once in a while.
- Unless the moss ball is overcrowded, their care is not that difficult.
Do moss balls and bettas live in harmony with each other?
Betta fish and moss balls can live in perfect harmony with each other. They love to play with marimo moss balls and rest on them.
Marimo moss balls can live in the same water conditions as bettas,however they grow faster at lower temperatures.
Why do moss balls turn brown on one side?
If you observe that only one side of your moss ball is brown, it’s because it’s not getting enough lighting.
Just flip the moss ball over so the brown side is now the other part of the moss ball that faces the light and makes it green again.
Once your moss ball is fully green, make sure it is rotated frequently so there is enough light on each side.
Why do moss balls turn white?
Marimo is white because there is too much light.To prevent this,place the marimo in a shaded area of the aquarium.
If you do this, you will notice that it returns to normal green.It is very important to rotate them and provide them lighting and shades properly.
Why do moss balls turn yellow?
If you happen to see your marimo has turned yellow,then this is usually due to exposure to dangerous chemicals.
It could be if you washed it under tap water without pretreatment or something similar.
If you spot a yellow marimo,wash it in a bucket of aquarium water before adding it back to the tank.
Why do moss balls turn black?
Black moss balls are the most serious type of moss ball. At this point, they are dying, and if you happen to notice that the moss balls on the betta aquarium are black, remove all the black parts immediately.
In addition to removing any darkened parts, you should also shake your moss balls in a container of your betta’s old tank water.
Finally, make sure to reshape your moss ball when cutting sections. Otherwise, it’s more likely to fall apart.
How to treat a sick moss ball?
Healthy moss balls turn deep, bright green and grow outward in filaments.
White or gray indicates too much light, and brownish color indicates too much direct sunlight or the moss balls are dirty.
Black spots mean rot.For treatment, mothballs can be isolated and aquarium salt and cold water can be added to promote health and growth.
Summary
- Moss balls look great in an aquarium and have many advantages.
- Betta loves marimo or moss balls in their tank.When you add the moss balls first, it floats on top of the tank until it absorbs enough water.
- Moss balls absorb nitrates and other harmful substances from aquarium water.
- Provide some oxygen and oxygenate bettas.
- Helps prevent algal overgrowth in bettas tank.
- Produce plenty of good bacteria in bettas tanks.
- Almost zero maintenance is required.
- Moss balls adapt easily to high pH.
Frequently asked questions
Can moss balls be an alternative to air bubblers?
Moss balls absorb CO2 and release oxygen in the water. If you don’t like the noisy aquarium bubbler,then adding moss balls will help replenish the tank with oxygen.
What is the lifespan of moss balls?
Marimo are very slow growers with a lifespan of up to 100 years that eventually reaches a foot. Don’t worry, your Marimo will be tiny when you buy it and will only grow about 5 mm per year.Ordinary home light or indirect sunlight is preferred.
How long can moss balls sustain in tanks without water?
Under ideal conditions, moss balls can live without water for one month.It is advised to not keep moss balls pets away from water for longer periods of time.
