Java Moss Dying Rapidly

[Melody]

The only time I ever had this happen before was when I added seasalt to a tank, but I haven't added anything to this one because I have Spixi snails in it. I got a ton of Java Moss from Marge and put a huge chunk of it in a tank. Less than 48 hours later it was a light brown mass. :( Any thoughts?

[thegrandpoohbah]

What are the tank specs and water parameters? That does seem weird. I too thought that only salt would kill it.

[Melody]

I dunno.... vet fish keepers don't have to test! We eyeball everything!

Did you buy that? OK how about this - I can't remember where my test kit is and I'd have to read the directions again...lol...I'll see if I can dig it up. However, there is other Java Moss in there and its fine - figure THAT out. Its only Marge's that died. Can it be shocked? The water is reasonably hard in there.

[Pamelajo]

Nice try Mel.
Weird.

[mykiss]

Wow, that's weird. I guess it can be shock. If her tank had a low pH and yours was high, then perhaps I can see that happening. The only time I have seen that is when I had poor lighting, otherwise I would think it's was parameters.

Perhaps take some of it out and put it in a tank that has a lower pH?

That way if it dies in one tank, hopefully the other will survive. Good luck

[Melody]

I dunno, but it sucked throwing it away - it was a huge amount. I did manage to save some in another tank though so it could have been worse. Its funny, it was almost instantaneous, completely beige, like I had bleached it.

[blainep]

That is really interesting, I have Java moss in nearly every tank I have, some are mildly salted occasionally.
Some of it seems to be quite a bit lighter in color than other bunches, but it all grows, it all came from the same bunch I started years ago. The only tank I can't grow Java moss in is the Cana tank, they eat everything that goes into the tank, I'm surprised they don't eat the substrate !

If you ever do find out what happened, let us know Melody.

[jake007]

comment removed

[Melody]

Hmmm... considering the drop off procedure I'm sure it could get chilled. There was a bunch that stayed green, but it could have been inside the other stuff - I didn't notice. A very likely scenario in fact and it would explain how it happened so fast. Methinks you may have nailed it, thanks!:notworthy:

[Corbin]

well i was sell lots of java moss to the US last month, and everyone there was having this problem, ive never had it. im was starting to think if they reall even had java moss??
but i know its not the cold, 1. becuz my main source is from a unheated tank in my basment 2. some of the stuff i shipped got level out in freezing weather and it lived :yes:.
all the people whos moss they kept buying died, didnt die when they got mine... witch makes me wonder if theres a mutant strain :wideeyed: hahhaa if thats even possible

[Melody]

Good point, but I know my source well and she grows this stuff like there's no tomorrow....lol.

Careful shipping into the States - plants are tricky business at the borders.

[Corbin]

none of them got stoped, and i even truthfuly listed the contents :yes:

[Melody]

They don't read every box, but eventually most people get snagged. I don't think that Java Moss is considered to be an invasive in any of the States so its not illegal exactly, but you do need some expensive certificates and there's port of entry concerns, etc. There are so many tropical States that they're very strict. You don't want a black mark on your border record or you'll be hassled everytime you try to send or cross the border yourself, for life. If you send an illegal plant, and laws can vary from State to State, there are some very stiff fines.

There should be a good market for it in Canada too. You could try listing it on eBay Canada.

[Corbin]

im all out of moss for now they bought it all :D but when i have more ill check out ebay.ca
thanks for the heads up

[Melody]

Its definitly popular stuff. You can list it here too of course - our membership target is Canada-wide. Good luck with the sales - we have to do SOMETHING to fund this crazy addiction of ours!:D

[Corbin]

thats for sure :).. all my plants have paid for them selfs x10s over;). but the fish never seem to wanna pay me back for the good home hehe, trying to breed for the first time yestarday, hopfully it works.

[Melody]

Really? Post about it! I love hearing about breeding experiments and maybe someone can give you some pointers. :smile:

[Corbin]

i posted about it :D

p.s. this thread is getting off topic hehehe:offtopic:

[Melody]

:nah: ;) My thread, I'll decide when its off topic....lol. I actually enjoy a forum where things can drift off into other related subjects. As long as its fish, its all on topic really, and a lot more interesting in the end. Never liked having my fingers wrapped for every little thing, off or online.:Whip:

Thanks for posting about it - very interesting indeed!

[mixixe]

Hows the javamoss I gave you doing?

[Melody]

Its doing just awesome. I put it in the tank I've been talking about and its still nice and green :D .

I've been thinking about it and I think that there was more than one kind of moss in the bunch, so maybe some species are more sensitive to the cold than others? I'll have to confirm that with Marge.

[mixixe]

there should have been two different kinds of java moss that i gave you and some hornwort that got stuck in between :)

i'm glad it's doing well!