Carpeting Plants

[nano55]

Just read the thread about the Riccia, looks good to me, I like how it only grows on what its attached to and it wont justspread and cover the tank!! So are we sure it will grow with my light and without Co2? Also where he uses slate to tie the Riccia to, would I be able to tie it to a piece of plastic or somethingthat could be cut to the shape of the corner of my tank??

 

[Ps3Steveo]

Plastic will prob float so good to use slate but remember to trim it as its a floating plant naturally so if not trimmed the bottom will rot and the tops will float.

 

[nano55]

I'm tempted by java moss instead of the riccia as it will attach itself to things and then the thread can be removed, also it wont float to the surface once its growing. Are there any dissadvantages to java moss instead of Riccia??

 

[SombreroBanana]

I'm tempted by java moss instead of the riccia as it will attach itself to things and then the thread can be removed, also it wont float to the surface once its growing. Are there any dissadvantages to java moss instead of Riccia??

Java moss doesn't attach itself to things. You have to keep tying it on to the driftwood/rock as it grows. You could get phoenix moss instead, as it does attach itself to stuff, but it's a bit harder to find.

 

[Ps3Steveo]

Java does attach itself. But personally I'd use something like flame moss or Christmas moss.

 

[SO19Firearms]

Java does attach itself. But personally I'd use something like flame moss or Christmas moss.

This

 

[nano55]

I like the look of the flame moss, can I use the same process with the hair net and then just remove the hair net and leave the moss attached to rocks or terracotta pots??

 

[Ps3Steveo]

TBH I'd leave the net on as once it grows through it you wont see it.

 

[nano55]

Hmm I can't decide between the flame moss and the riccia now.

As the riccia doesn't stick to anything, what's to stop my fish from just pulling it apart?? Does it mesh itself together or something??

 

[Ps3Steveo]

The fish will have trouble getting at it if you keep it trimmed about 1cm above the net.

 

[SO19Firearms]

The thought of the Riccia is far better than the practice of keeping it tidy. The cut bits or what breaks off gets everywhere!
The better mosses can look as good and it's more natural for them to be there - which makes it easier. Riccia being a floating plant means it wants to float....alot.

 

[nano55]

Just had a browse through the classifieds and found some riccia so Il give that a go, if its too messy I'll chuck it and get some flame moss instead!

If I cut a piece of plastic to the shape I want, weigh it down and then cover it with riccia, could I just remove it from the tank during a water change and trim in the bucket of tank water to help contain the mess?? Would that work??

 

[SO19Firearms]

Yes. You can arrange them how you want then too - ADA call them riccia stones and charge you 400million pounds....

(Provided the plastic sinks.)

 

[nano55]

I plan to cut a large piece of plastic, put the riccia in the middle and then bury the plastic edges in the sand to weigh it down if that makes sence, so the sand will come right upto the edge of the turf

 

[Ps3Steveo]

Sounds good, hope it works for you, best thing to use is stainless steel mesh as its weight will keep it down then put the Riccia and net over the top of it.