Basic Marimo Care Tips
19Jan

Water Aeration and Filtration for Marimo

Marimo balls are a type of spherical fresh water algae from Lake Akan in Japan but are also found in Europe, USA and Russia. The spherical shape occurs in nature by water currents flowing over the Marimo and causing it to tumble on lake beds. Marimo (meaning ball seaweed), have become a kind of national treasure to the Japanese who are known to appreciate form and function of which the Marimo ball has in abundance. Beautiful to look at, these slow...

By Basic Marimo Care Tips0 Comments
Read more...
19Jan

Raising Marimo as “Pets”

Marimo Balls or Moss Balls as they are sometimes called, are cute little algae that are said to bring good luck and are considered a Japanese national treasure. Marimo can be raised as pets by themselves, or can be put into aquariums to help ward off unwanted algae blooms. They grow in freshwater, although putting them in club soda has been shown to make them grow faster. (Caution! Make sure you squeeze out any of the club soda, and soak...

By Basic Marimo Care Tips0 Comments
Read more...
19Jan

How to Identify Natural Marimo Moss Balls

One of the most popular plants in Japan is now becoming sought-after in other parts of the world. The Marimo Moss Ball isn't actually moss at all. Cladophora Aegagropila is a species of filamentous green algae that has three growth forms, including the popular sphere or “ball” shape, the free-floating filaments that form a carpet seen on the bottom of lakes, and the epilithic, which grow on rocks. In Japan, the marimo moss ball was declared a national treasure in...

By Basic Marimo Care Tips0 Comments
Read more...
19Jan

Basic Marimo Temperature and Water Requirements

Despite the “moss balls” moniker, Aegagropila linnaei is actually a unique form of water-borne algae which is well suited for plant enthusiasts of all levels of experience. In addition to their unusually fuzzy, bouncy shape, Marimo are not very demanding in terms of temperature and water requirements, and can even provide filter-like benefits to fish globes and aquariums. Famous for their free-will floating and sinking, they function as an excellent chemical free ally in the fight against fish tank clouding. Water Requirements: Marimo...

By Basic Marimo Care Tips0 Comments
Read more...
19Jan

How to Treat a Sick Marimo Moss Ball

Although Marimo balls can withstand a range of temperatures and water conditions, color changes may indicate that something is wrong. Below are signs to look for, and what you can do. White Marimo or Color Loss: If your Marimo is turning white or loses its lush green coloring, it's probably receiving too much sunlight. If it also seems a bit slimy or develops an unusual texture, it may have a hostile algae growing around it. Carefully wash the hostile algae off or...

By Basic Marimo Care Tips8 Comments
Read more...
19Jan

Marimo Ball Basics

Their fun shape, movement, and minimal care requirements make marimo moss balls an attractive addition to plant bowls and freshwater aquariums. Not actually a moss, marimo balls (Aegagropila linnaei, also known as Cladophora balls and lake balls) are rare spherical-shaped, noninvasive algae with a velvet-like appearance. The species are native to Lake Akan in Japan, where they are designated as a national treasure and believed to bring good luck. Also found in parts of Europe and Iceland, they are considered endangered and...

By Basic Marimo Care Tips0 Comments
Read more...
19Jan

Health Problems of Marimo Balls: Color Indicators

The Universal Popularity of Marimo: Marimo’s popularity stems not only from their unique round shape, but the fact that they are also incredibly simple to care for and can live for nearly a hundred years. They have decorative value, both in aquariums or on their own in vases. Marimo will rise, sink, and roll around in the container it is placed in. While these movements are only a response to the levels of light a Marimo is exposed to; many owners...

By Basic Marimo Care Tips19 Comments
Read more...