Basic Marimo Care Tips
19Jan

Ambient Lighting for Marimo Balls

Marimo moss balls (Aegagropila linnaei) are peaceful looking seaweed balls, a species of green algae. Somewhat rare in natural occurence,marimo moss balls are only found in the northern hemisphere, hailing from Iceland, Scotland, Estonia and Japan. These zen­like creatures are so unique and striking in their earth­like shape that they are protected in Iceland and Japan. I don’t know many types of algae which bear such a distinction! The alga is even marketed as a stuffed toy in Japan. Though only...

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19Jan

Using CO2 to Enhance Marimo Growth

Those willing to spend on supplies and aquarium upgrades to improve their Marimo’s growth rate get their best results from achieving the right combination of appropriate fertilizing, light spectrum and intensity, dissolved mineral content, variance of water flow, and just enough supplemental carbon dioxide to keep the tank’s water pH balanced. The exact details will vary depending on how close your current setup is to the optimal combination of conditions for your Marimo. General Recommendations: General suggestions for upgrades to speed up...

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19Jan

Setting up a Tank Environment in Preparation for Incoming Marimo

Contrary to popular belief, marimo are not difficult to keep, and are low maintenance organisms. The only ingredients they need are a strong UVA/UVB light source: direct sunlight or an incandescent bulb specifically for aquatic plants, as well as a simple water bubbler in order to keep the water circulating and CO2 moving throughout the tank. This equipment may be obtained rather inexpensively in your nearest pet shop, or on Amazon. If you are looking to keep larger marimo specimens, or...

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19Jan

A Gentle Introduction to Marimo

Marimo Moss (Aegagropila linnaei), a ball shaped moss formation mostly found in Japan, Iceland, Scottland and Estonia was first popularized in Japan in the 1920's; where it is considered a national treasure. Its popularity, however, caught on quickly around the world with aquarium lovers and now this fantastic spherical algae can be found in homes everywhere. The Perfect Pet: Because of its ability to roll around on lake beds and float to the surface of the water in search of sunlight, some...

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19Jan

The Low Maintenance Aspect of Marimo as Pets

Marimo Moss Balls have received increasing popularity in recent years due in equal parts to their beauty and low maintenance. Although also found in Scotland, Iceland, and Estonia, Marimos are best known for being from Japan, where they are considered a National Treasure and even have their own cartoon character (high praise indeed). Their signature shape occurs when strands of algae become entangled at the bottom of a lake. Slowly but surely, the current turns them more and more until...

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19Jan

Basic Marimo Lighting Conditions

Marimo  balls, or aegargropila linnaei, are unusual and rare forms of algae: perfectly spherical, they were discovered in the early 1900s in Lake Akan, in Japan. While the algae is native specifically to that lake, they can also be found in Estonia, Scotland, and Iceland, and are getting more and more popular as a household “pet” around the world. Of course, you can’t simply order an algae ball to be pulled out of Lake Akan, given that the marimo are...

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19Jan

Several Properties and Care Techniques for Marimo

Japanese legend has it that Marimos are the result of a star-crossed metamorphosis of a chief’s daughter and her peasant lover. On the eve of her arranged marriage to someone else, the daughter and her lover planned to make a watery grave in Lake Akan. Instead, they were transformed into velveteen spheres of algae that would transfix plant and pond enthusiasts forever. Some swear that Marimos bring luck, love, and fortune to anyone who raises them. Because of their spherical...

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19Jan

What is Marimo?

Commonly called Marimo moss balls, aegagropila linnaei is a species of green algae that grows in a spherical shape. Marino moss balls are found in certain cold, freshwater lakes in the Northern Hemisphere. Their plump silhouettes are the result of wave action compressing the algal filaments into ball form, and the plants float freely on the currents, untethered to rocks or lake bottoms. Their filaments appear velvety and soft like moss, with a fuzzy texture that collectors find adorable. The...

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19Jan

The Importance of Removing Growth Inhibitors from a Marimo Tank

These spherically-shaped balls of algae are be considered to be a national treasure in Japan, where they rise and fall in Lake Akan due to the oxygen they produce in sunlight. They are even protected by law there, though that may not stop them from being stolen, of course.  Moss Growth and Development: These balls are typically used for decoration inside an aquarium, so their physical shape is obviously important. Let’s consider spherical growth as an objective here. Moss growth is all about...

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19Jan

Adding Tank Bubblers to Increase the Air Exchange for Marimo

Tank bubblers are small, inexpensive, electricity-powered devices that can be purchased inexpensively at any aquarium or pet store. They are very good for Marimo because increase the rate of air exchange in an otherwise still water environment. If your Marimo is housed in an aquarium setting with filtration equipment, adding an additional bubbler always helps, because the air movement will help to rotate the Marimo, ensuring that it grows evenly on all sides. Adding tank bubblers will help keep the water...

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