Algae Balls

[brooke]

I really like the look of algae balls on websites, but I've never seen them in person. Are they really as cute as they seem? (I give everything a personality.) Since it's an algae rather than a traditional plant, is it going to try to compete with my plants? Does it lose its brightness and go brownish after a while?

[AngelMom]

LOL - yeah they are kind of cute. Mine only loose color if I get too low on the ferts, though they can collect a layer of silt on them.....no wories, just brush them off or rinse them in siphoned off tank water. The only thing you really need to do with them is to re-roll them periodically if you want them to stay in a ball. They are real slow growing. I'm leaving mine alone to see how long it will take for them to unroll and carpet the floor of the tank.......I've had some for about 9 months now and they are loosening, but not doing much else.

[AASPBY]

Are these the same as Moss Balls? If so, they loosen up and spread? Cool!

[angle fish]

9 MONTHS :eek: I would go absoulutly INSAINE, I am trying to get my java moss to do a "carpet" but so far... ... ... well I have only had it about 2 weeks...

[AngelMom]

I'm not sure if they are the same as Moss Balls or not......they probably are, but the only other name I've ever heard them called by is Marimo Balls.