Several years ago a friend in New York introduced an interesting aquatic plant to me that has since become a hobby of mine. "Marimos" are a green seaweed made from algae but they appear mossy in texture. These fluffy green plants use photosynthesis to grow, needing minimal light but also growing very slowly. The marimos in my tank are all from different locations; New York, Russia, China, Japan, and more. In the past few months I have been doing lots of research on how to best care for
these plants. I have put together a list of all the information and optimal care instructions.
I set up a simple but cool looking tank with an LED light air stone and glow in the dark aquarium plant. Multi colored stones cover the bottom of a large blue glass vase. I keep it shaded with my potted plants covering most of the sunlight. My baby marimos began to connect to each other like a chain and even to my fluval tank cleaning moss ball (which is a fake marimo). I use ice to keep it cold and fashioned a lid to keep the bubbles from getting out. I also have a thermometer to keep an eye on the temperature of the water.
MARIMO CARE
- Have shady spots, minimal light (no direct light). Do NOT leave the tank light on too much because it can start the growth of hostile algae (which is a nightmare). Sea salt in the water is a natural way to get rid of the hostile algae.
- Clean water once a week in summer, once every two in winter, only change HALF the water.
- Roll marimo by hand and move around tank. But be gentle with them.
- Once a month put marimos in fridge for 24-48 hours in a separate container with fresh water. Change fridge water more frequently.
- Add sea salt to water in tank. Use club soda to naturally create Co2 to boost growth; but NOT TOO MUCH. Do not put the club soda into the tank, treat them in a separate bowl.
- °59-°68 degrees is ideal, must not exceed °86 degrees.
- To keep the tank cool I use reusable plastic ice cubes, regular ice cubes and flat ice packs.
- Always use stones in tank, not rocks - rocks absorb impurities and can't fully be washed away. I recommend using a "Fluval Moss Ball" which cleans the tank by adsorbing and trapping phosphate and nitrite. I found it to be effective, it only lasts a few months though.
- If a piece breaks off leave it be, roll it up in a ball and add it to the small marimo collection.
- When using chemicals to purify water put marimos in separate containers.
- Chemicals to use: Leaf Zone, API Co2 Booster, Aqueon Freshwater Aquarium plant food. Be sure to read all the instructions before use.
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