Moss from the backyard

[magnosis]

I found some nice pieces of moss in my backyard.  One looks very much like Java Moss but it's a bit denser than which I already have in my tank (sorry no pics yet).


What care should I take before putting it in a planted tank with goldfish ?

What is the typical treatment (medical or other) for introducing 'wild' plants ?

Is there a chance the moss itself could be harmful (poisonous or else) to the fish ?


I also have a 10g quarantine tank up and running.  I could use it to see if at least the moss will survive submersion, though I don't want to 'destroy' the QT. It will be needed for fish in a few days.

[Fishnut]

I wouldn't trust it with fish you really like or an established tank.  You never know. 

If you had a tank that you could destroy, I would say experiment with it!   That would be really cool.  Maybe someone could fill in the details, but isn't there a north american species of moss that aquarium people are going bonkers for?

[Nerine]

First step is to identify the moss, and it's needs..

http://www.ontariowildflower.com/moss.htm  I found this site on local mosses...it's very interesting!

[magnosis]

Nice ! that's a great page

What I have here is Ribbed Bog Moss and Plume Moss. They grow in moderate size patches (5-20cm radius) and don't get much thicker / higher than 1.5cm.

I have submerged some with dirty tank water in a small bowl, will see what happens.

[sas]

Thanks for posting that link Nerine.

I too have been eyeing up the moss in the back pastures and bush,
wondering if I should try and grow some inside.
I'm thinking of a terrarium type and not submerged, I think
the ground mosses would probably drown if under water for too long?

[Nerine]

I am not a moss expert, but from what that site says, (it's been my fav for moss so far!) in order to grow, moss needs a bit of soil, not a lot, and it needs to have some dry time (I believe depending on the species?) I half dried out some java moss, gave it some soil and a moist environment instead of fully submerged and the tips turned whitish pink, most likely spores to spread itself.

it's such a neat substance!!!! I know I really enjoy it

[washefuzzy]

I'm up in Northern BC, taking walks in the bush, all I keep thinking about is how nice the moss, I see covering the ground, would look  in a tank. There is no hope for me, mts.