Moss aquarium: varieties and most popular varieties. How to grow moss aquarium

The spectacular appearance of any aquarium depends not on the presence in it of exotic inhabitants, but on the beautiful design of its landscape. Creation of a unique underwater interior is an interesting and fascinating activity. To do this, apply all sorts of decor elements and, of course, a variety of plants, among which an honorable place is moss aquarium. These green plantations are very unpretentious to the conditions of detention, but they have a high aesthetic value, for which the general recognition of aquarists.

Variety of bryophytes

All mosses belong to the class of higher plants, but they are the most primitive of them. At the same time they appeared much earlier than other plants - about 440 million years ago. To date, about 10,000 moss species are known, which are divided into three large classes:

• Bryophyta - real mosses
• Marchantiophyta - hepatic
• Anthocerotophyta - anthocerot.

The principle of classification is based on the distinctive features of the appearance of mosses, for example, in the form of leaves and stems, the presence of veins in leaves, the nature of branching of stems, etc. For example, distinguishing liverworters from other species is simple: they do not have stems, leaves and roots .

Conditions for growing bryophytes

Aquarium mosses, the photos of which are presented below, can easily adapt to any environmental conditions. Most varieties can perfectly exist in the temperature range of water +15 ... +30 ° C. The level of illumination is also not a critical criterion, as is water hardness. The only thing that all aquarium plants require, moss, including periodic partial renewal of water (20-30% of the total volume) to ensure fresh mineral substances.

For rooting new moss-like on the substrate, they are tied, stitched with small stones and even glued. However, there are also such types of aquarium mosses that do not even need a temporary fixation.

All of the above properties of mosses make them a universal material for decorating the aquarium.

Decorative properties of mosses

Most mosses are dwarf plants, the length of which rarely exceeds 4-5 cm. But there are also such varieties of aquarium mosses that grow to half a meter.

Mosses do not have real stems and leaves. Parts of plants that resemble stems are called caulidia, and leaves are called phylloids.

The most common types of aquarium mosses belong to the class of real mosses. Not so long ago, a limited number of varieties of these plants were used in aquarium farming, but today their list has expanded considerably. Below are the most interesting aquarium mosses, photos of which will help evaluate their magnificent decorative properties. Next, consider the most effective and popular varieties.

Moss Phoenix

Its name is aquarium moss Phoenix received for a peculiar form of side leaves, which are elongated plates that resemble the feathers of the legendary Phoenix bird. This moss grows slowly enough and reaches up to 3 cm in height. It adheres well to the aquarium substrate, can grow on the ground, driftwood, a grid, large boulders.

Moss aquarium Phoenix looks like a small fountain. By the way, the second name of the variety is Fissidens fountain. He grows a group and grows from the center to the sides, recalling a frozen fountain. From one branch left on a snag or a stone, approximately two months later a fluffy hump of a spherical form of a dark green color grows. In this case, regardless of the methods of cultivation and haircuts, Phoenix moss will still take a spherical shape in time.

This variety belongs to large mosses, so it is not afraid of Siamese algae - famous moss lovers.

The plant is rather unpretentious - it does not require bright lighting, additional supply of nutrients and CO ₂ . However, in order to stimulate growth and enhance "fluffiness", it is still recommended to administer Phoenix in small doses and at least slightly to supply carbon dioxide.

When decorating artificial reservoirs, fissydens are usually located in well-viewed places, as it looks very impressive even against the background of other beautiful representatives of the flora that live in the aquarium. Many aquarists generally prefer to completely plant the aquarium area only with this plant, and it looks amazing.

Moss Flame

This moss aquarium still only gaining its popularity among aquarists. It also has a high degree of decorative and can become a real decoration of any artificial reservoir. By its name, the plant is also required to form leaves, which over time beautifully twist and look like flames. And the process of twisting leaves is more intense than water harder.

Its shoots are slightly branched, grow mainly vertically. In width, the plant grows slowly, reaches a height of 15 cm. Most often, moss The flame is used to decorate the middle and back of the aquarium.

A distinctive feature of this variety is the low ability to grow to the substrate. In this connection, the design of snags and stones is carried out by attaching the bushes to them with the help of a fishing line. This method allows you to move the decor with the moss to different parts of the aquarium if necessary.

Moss Javanese

The aquatic plant Javanese moss is known for a long time and is one of the most common species used in the design of aquarium landscapes. This is an amphibian plant, since it can develop well and steadily not only in water, but also in moist air conditions.

Aquarium moss Javanese has excellent decorative data, for the maintenance of which certain conditions are required. The optimum temperature range for successful plant growth is +24 ... +28 ° С. If the temperature drops below +22 ° C, this aquarium moss practically ceases to grow, although it retains its appearance for several more weeks.

Active reaction and water hardness are not decisive, but light plays a role. Despite the fact that this variety can exist for a long time in conditions of almost complete darkness, its growth and decorativeness provide exactly the bright light.

The appearance of the plant may suffer and because of the large amount of suspended matter in the water, which forms an ugly coating on its branches. The causes of muddy water are burrowing ground of fish and a constantly working air compressor. Over time, the moss multiplies algae, negatively affecting the condition of the plant. At the same time, it is not possible to restore decorative qualities to this type of moss even by intensive water filtration. Thus, before growing the aquarium moss of this variety, it is necessary to ensure the appropriate conditions, only then it can become a real decoration of the home pond.

Cladofora moss

This is another fairly common plant in aquarium. The second name is an aquarium moss-ball, although in fact it does not have anything to do with moss. Bright green fluffy lumps are colonies of microscopic green filamentous algae growing in the form of a sphere. If the conditions in the aquarium are favorable, the moss-balloon aquarium (Kladofora) can become several times larger than the original size.

Despite the fact that the algae in the aquariums are undesirable, these cute creatures are an exception. They do not spoil plants, they do not adhere to decor elements and glass. The interior of the ball consists of the dead parts of the algae, which turn into elastic thread weave. The colony itself lives on this spherical basis. If you cut a ball, you get a fluffy rug, from which you can make a green lawn on the bottom of the aquarium.

The moss-ball has not only a beautiful appearance, but also is a kind of sponge that passes water through itself while simultaneously performing its filtration. In aquariums, this plant has been known for several hundred years and has not lost its relevance.

Moss Riccia

This moss belongs to the class of liverworts. It floats on the water surface, forming beautiful islands, called thalli. In aquariumism Riccia is most often used as a natural shade or substrate for the spawning of various species of fish, in which fry are also fond of hiding. In addition, this plant is an excellent top dressing for many herbivorous hydrobionts.

Riccia is especially useful in artificial reservoirs with viviparous species of fish. In the floating thickets their fry have not only a place for shelter, but also supplies of necessary food. And labyrinthine species of fish use moss twigs to build their foam nests.

For the good development of Riccia, bright illumination is necessary, since because of the lack of light in the islets, it breaks down into small twigs. However, direct sunlight and illumination by incandescent lamps to this plant are contraindicated, since they can cause burns. For lighting it is recommended to use LED or fluorescent lamps.

The optimum temperature range for Riccia is +22 ... +26 ° C. When the temperature drops below +20 ° C, plant growth slows down, although the appearance remains. To create a comfortable environment, the aquarium should be covered with a lid. This type of moss is sensitive to the composition of water - for its good development it must be soft. To stimulate growth, you should regularly replace some of the water.

Riccia can be used as a cover plant for soil and snags in the presence of bright light. This moss reproduces simply: just a few small branches of the thallus are enough to fill the entire water surface quickly.

Moss Key

Another name for the variety is Fonthinalis. It has soft erect stems with a height of 20-25 cm, on which there are many thin and small leaves of triangular shape. Dense thickets of dark green color serve as an excellent aquarium decor.

The main problem in the cultivation of fontainalis is the seasonality of its vegetation. In summer, when the temperature in the aquarium is between +25 ... +27 ° C, the plant feels very comfortable. But in winter the temperature decreases slightly, and at this time the moss needs rest. In natural conditions, Fontainalis hibernates at a temperature of +2 ... +4 ° C, and in the aquarium it is "hot" in the winter. In this regard, even in unheated tanks this variety does not live more than a year.

As for water requirements, it must be slightly acidic or neutral and soft, and also necessarily clean. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure effective filtration of water and to apply suitable aqua bisons.

Ideal inhabitants of aquariums with fontainalis are small viviparous and haracine fish. Large, and even more so digging soil has a harmful effect on the plant.

The key moss reproduces by dividing the bush. It is better to immediately buy a large copy attached to a substrate, snag or stone, wait for the plant to grow, and then divide it into parts.

Creating favorable conditions for mosses

Artificial water saturation with carbon dioxide

All the aquarium mosses described above are not affected by water shortages, so they do not die. However, they can develop badly, and the fault of that is most often a lack of nutrition.

As you know, photosynthesis occurs due to the use of sun energy by plants and their consumption of carbon dioxide dissolved in water. Strongly consuming CO ₂ in the light of day, aquatic plants significantly reduce its concentration in water and themselves from this eventually suffer. For example, as a result of the absorption of free CO _{2 by} fonetinal, the pH of the water reaches a value of 8.8, that is, it becomes alkaline. Similarly, with other plants.

There are no conditions for natural replenishment of carbon dioxide deficiency in closed rooms, so the necessary level should be provided forcibly. In moving water, the intensity of photosynthesis is much higher than in the standing one. In this regard, it is necessary that in the aquarium there is a constant, but not very powerful current of water. In such conditions, aquarium mosses and other plants will feel comfortable.

Top dressing

The need for micro- and macro elements is tested by all aquarium mosses. Their content should vary depending on the specific plant species. This is due to the fact that, for example, an increase in the concentration of nitrates promotes an increase in the amount of chlorophyll (green pigment) in some moss species, but it does harm to others.

Almost all mosses prefer not to nitrates, but to ammonium. If you replace nitrates with ammonium, but the nitrogen concentration remains high, the plants will stop growing and may even die. Therefore, if urea is used instead of potassium nitrate, then its dosage should be less.

As for copper, when its content in 1 liter of water in an amount of 0.01 mg, the concentration of chlorophyll becomes maximum, and if the dose is increased to 10 ml per liter, the chloroplast will lose its green color.

Phosphorus, as a rule, has a favorable effect on the development of aquarium mosses. And one of the most necessary nutrients for these plants is calcium. However, in high concentrations for real mosses (bryophytes) this substance is harmful, since it makes it difficult to absorb other cations.

Calcium and magnesium, due to mutual competition in metabolic processes, reduce the ability to absorb ions.

Unfortunately, the issues of the influence of nutrients in various proportions on the development of aquarium mosses have not yet been adequately studied. As a rule, in nature, most types of mosses grow intensively at the end of the summer and throughout the autumn period. In winter and spring biogenic substances are limited, so the intensity of growth decreases.

Fighting pests of aquarium mosses

The main enemies of moss in the aquarium are algae fish, shrimp amano, snails and algae.

To control algae, it is recommended to use a 5% solution of bleach. Plants affected by algae are immersed in a chlorine solution and mixed for a couple of minutes. Once the algae become white, moss is transferred to a container of clean water and rinsed thoroughly. However, it should be noted that not all varieties of mosses can withstand this procedure. A more gentle way to cleanse the algae is to add glutaraldehyde in aquarium water in a proportion of 10-15 mm / 100 liters within a few days.

Conclusion

The indisputable advantage of aquarium mosses is their surprising vital plasticity, expressed in an unmatched ability to adapt to the widest range of external conditions. In addition, the bryophytes grow relatively slowly, which is their undoubted advantage for aquadisin. This feature eliminates the need for frequent intervention in a composition decorated with mosses. And the main thing: mosses - in comparison with other aquatic plants - are very unpretentious, which certainly makes them the optimal and universal means of decorating the aquarium.