Marimo algae balls… what are these steel wool, of the plant world, and how do they fit in our aquariums???

Cladophora aegagropila is not really a plant, but a ball of algae from 3-10 cm wide. It is a decorative exception from the rule about avoiding algae at all costs.

It is normally found in shallow lakes, where the movement of the waves forms it into a sphere. In an aquarium it must be turned regularly to keep it in shape. Cladophora aegagrophila can be divided into smaller pieces, which become spherical with time, or which form a carpet, if attached to roots and stones. Protected in parts of Japan.

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from https://tropica.com/en/plants/plantdetails/Aegagropilalinnaei(000DMP)/19534

"The Faster We Go, the Rounder We Get" -- Grateful Dead

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TwoTankAmin said:

from https://tropica.com/en/plants/plantdetails/Aegagropilalinnaei(000DMP)/19534

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I'm not sure i agree with this part "exception from the rule about avoiding algae" as i find certain algae beneficial to my fry raising. It seems to hold a lot of this and that the frys can munch on not to mention they can hide in it.

Tropica is an Aquatic plant site/business. People who are into planted tanks tend not to want algae on their plants.

TwoTankAmin said:

Tropica is an Aquatic plant site/business. People who are into planted tanks tend not to want algae on their plants.

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So they lie for business sake hum... how does it go ...liar liar pants on fire.

Well, I’m no formal expert, but lots of experience… and it seems to me that with light and nutrients, algae will grow… I find aggressive growing terrestrial plants pull enough nutrients out of the water, that algae can’t compete… it would seem that having d to grow aquatic plants would be a big challenge to grow against easy to grow algae… I would suspect in they use the same nutrients, you’ll have a battle to control the algae… if you have easy to grow aquatic plants, or aquatic plants that require different nutrients, than most algae’s, your battle will be easier…

I offer this picture… note the massive root systems in the hang on pots, in the background, and the vibrant green Java Fern in the foreground… this tank has 2 full length newest style LED tank lights above it, yet I’m now getting minimal algae growth, as the hang on potted plants have started to mature… there are a few algae eating fish in this tank, but my maintenance of algae has become minimal…


And back to topic, the Marimo algae balls, are also not growing at all… so if problem growth has become an issue for others, maybe for me it’s the competition for nutrients, that is keeping them from growing…

Magnum Man said:

Well, I’m no formal expert, but lots of experience… and it seems to me that with light and nutrients, algae will grow… I find aggressive growing terrestrial plants pull enough nutrients out of the water, that algae can’t compete… it would seem that having d to grow aquatic plants would be a big challenge to grow against easy to grow algae… I would suspect in they use the same nutrients, you’ll have a battle to control the algae… if you have easy to grow aquatic plants, or aquatic plants that require different nutrients, than most algae’s, your battle will be easier

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In a couple of my tanks i get this wool like algae growing on rocks and such - i can't comment on if it grows easier or harder than plants but it is rather uncommon among my aquariums so i'm going to presume it is harder or needs special conditions - i'm not sure what it is called but you can see it here; very different than the sort of algae some people get on glass or similar. This aquarium is blackwater conditions and the plants are growing quite well though it is not densely packed. Those echinodorus have shown very good growth as well as the crypts in front. This algae is not like hair algae it is very rigid stuff and it doesn't seem to grow on the plants - not like marimo either which is rather soft and grows a lot faster. As for nutrients - none are put in this aquarium other than a root tab under the echinodorus; i keep this tank very pure for the fishes and would not risk liquid fertilizers.

I’d love to have that in my Hillstream tank

Found this interesting article on traditional keeping of Marimo balls, as a house plant

Again back on topic… I have several balls rolling around my Hillstream tank, that the Tin Foils keep pulling off the topiary… lately I’ve been thinking about a Beta… perhaps combining the two might be interesting… something that looks like a traditional Marimo “jar” with some interesting stones, several balls, maybe a easy to care for floating plant, and a Beta… kept in the dining room ( I don’t have any tanks in there ) maybe I’ll start looking for a unique “jar”???

This 2 gallon canning style jar, would look right at home in the dining room, of our old farmhouse

But I just started looking…

Or this 2.5 gallon jar


They get bigger… but I kind of like the one with the handle

I wouldn't get a jar for a betta as they are usually tall and narrow while wide and shallow is better for a betta. And at least 5 gallons, with 10 being better than 5.

just seemed better than a pet store cup???

I grow cladophora algae in much if my tanks. Tough textured strands, feels a bit like steel wool.

Majority of mossballs for sale are actually this type of algae, true marimo moss balls aren't really imported as much anymore afaik.

Here's a carpet of cladophora algae in my 20g tank lol


Also get the obnoxious long strand form in other tanks too, looks similar to hair algae except the strands are strong and sturdy.

Magnum Man said:

just seemed better than a pet store cup???

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Jars are better than cups, but bettas still need a proper tank, preferably one that is wider and shallower than a jar. I kept mine in a tank 18 L x 10 W x 10 H inches - that's 29 litres/8 gallon, though of course slightly less water than that.

my Marimo balls are a dark forest green, a stiff

I'm partial to this 2.5 gallon, that wouldn't be significantly different than a 2.5 gallon aquarium, & has flat sides for better viewing, has a handle... & looks like it belongs in an old farm house...




would see about maybe drilling a hole in the cover for an air line, and adding a small sponge filter...