i killed my moss :/

kamazza · #1 (**permalink**) 04-03-2009, 05:04 PM

I read in some thread before (couldnt find it) that the calcium/vitamin supplements can accelerate fungus growth or something? IDK It was something like that. Anyways, I got some really nice moss from home depot of all places and it was lush and green and doing fine. I've stupidly been feeding my azureus their dusted flies over this piece of moss for a couple weeks now. All of the sudden the moss was all slimey in the center of the mass of it and droopy around the edges. I'm pretty sure its because of the supplement but I want to double check. Any opinions and/or advice would be greatly appreciated. I'll have to go buy some more if theres any left to replace it and get some for my 18 exo terra that I am currently building ( will post pics when finished

) Im so mad because I knew better but figured eh it'll be fine... what a dee dee dee I am.

frogparty · #2 (**permalink**) 04-03-2009, 05:07 PM

was it real moss, or the "irish" or "scotch" moss?

kamazza · #3 (**permalink**) 04-03-2009, 05:12 PM

I dont know. Home Depot doesn't have the greatest labels on most of their plants. It was doing very well then one day it was slimey. It was a very sudden change. There is a light layer of moist soil between the moss and the screen that sits on the gravel. The moss is right next to the pond but not touching it. Im going to try and identify it online or go check out some more at Home Depot. I'll take a picture when I get home in a few hours also.

-Jex- · #4 (**permalink**) 04-03-2009, 05:23 PM

I wouldn't feed my frogs on any moss. I had to learn this the hard way. I don't know if that is what killed yours but my moss turned brown and black where I was feeding with supplements.

evolvstll · #5 (**permalink**) 04-03-2009, 05:48 PM

Any type of moss you find at home depot is not going to be of the tropical variety, as a result it will not do well in our high humidity tanks.
Dumping your flies which are dusted with supplements, will also kill the moss.
Lighting is important for moss. 6500K lights tend to do well with moss.
It does take a while sometimes for the moss to get established in a tank, sometimes months or longer. So patience helps
The moss Black Jungle offers, LTM has done the best in most of my tanks. TandC terrariums also offers a type of pillow moss that does well. Every once in a while someone will offer some tropical varieties from Hawaii her on DB.

frogparty · #6 (**permalink**) 04-03-2009, 05:51 PM

if its the irish or scotch moss, it isn't even a real moss, just a flowering plant that looks like moss, and does not do well in vivs

markbudde · #7 (**permalink**) 04-03-2009, 06:51 PM

In my experience calcium dust is a good way to kill moss.

cyberbrat · #8 (**permalink**) 04-03-2009, 07:15 PM

Supplement powders can kill moss. I drop my flies on a piece of wood in the enclosure (plant free zone). We have all probably lost our fair share of plants for one reason or another. : )

kamazza · #9 (**permalink**) 04-03-2009, 08:39 PM

Here are couple crappy pics. I'm sure its a moss that doesnt do well in the tropical type habitat. I am not familiar with all the mosses and identifying them and whatnot. I cant find moss anywhere locally so when I saw it I figured I'd give it a try. Lesson learned... lol BTW I took the slimey mess out just after the pic because my female azureus, as you can see was a bit nosey about the whole situation, didn't want it getting on her.

Ed · #10 (**permalink**) 04-03-2009, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markbudde

In my experience calcium dust is a good way to kill moss.

Yep, if you want to save your moss, dump the flies into a petri dish or other lid and clean it every day or two..

The pictures don't really rule out Irish Moss which is sold at this time of year in those big box stores.

You can always grow your own moss using, bright light, high humidity, peat moss and play sand..

Ed