Moss Back Drop - What mesh to use?

[dude_753]

Hi All

I want to make a Moss backdrop for my tank. I'm just interested to see what kind of mesh people use.. I don't want to spend the money on stainless steel if I can avoid it.

I was thinking of using the fine gutter guard?? The tank is a 2x18

Cheers!

[southfish]

use cork sheets....really cheap and looks more natural then metal, just use aquarium glue or wire to attach

[dude_753]

Never would of thought to use that.. Cheers! What would be the best way to get the moss to attach to it?

[southfish]

you will have to have a dry tank if you wanna glue the panels onto the back otherwise all the fish will eventually get caught behind it

[bluebelle]

To attach the moss to whatever you're going to use, depends on how much moss you have to start with.

iIt can be tied on with cotton or if you have only small bits of moss, you can use superglue GEL.

Check google!

[goldenswimmers]

This might help

[goldenswimmers]

Also saw a cool one made out of wood...cool idea use all small bits of driftwood etc and makes a wall...fish would love it...youd never see them

pretty sure most plastic/fibreglass fly mesh is fine..fold it over...attach to back of tank with el suckalot caps...drink beer.....watch moss grow.....receive the attention of women...

good times.. I reckon full moss walls look awesome....most people cant be patient enough...

not java moss but similar idea.....

Edited September 30, 2013 by goldenswimmers

[mr_c265]

Most plastic meshes are inert. Most stainless steels will corrode in an acidic or conductive ion filled environment like a planted tank.

Natural cork is safe, laminated cork contains an adhesive that has the potential to leech.

The nicest moss walls are siliconed slate though with a bit of moss tied on, it'll cover it up eventually.

Natural slate is the nicest, those tiles aren't quite the same.

I wouldn't use java moss on a moss wall, it grows sporadically and unattractively. I would use weeping, peacock or xmas if you can get it. Fissidens does not make a nice wall, although i've seen one but it would've taken years.

[goldenswimmers]

yeah that pic I chucked up is a "Taiwan moss" wall.........just out of curiosity....thoughts on the quickest growing mosses for these walls????...

[mr_c265]

Java is the quickest growing, it will double mass in roughly 3 weeks and will grow in poor conditions. Peacock is only a little behind and a far more attractive moss. Taiwan is difficult to get to branch into that triangle and slightly difficult to find, growth rate is good. Fissidens is the slowest.

[bluebelle]

I like the idea of the suction cups, you could remove the whole wall any time

to clean out debris from behind it.

If you use the plastic mesh, shade cloth comes in a range of colours.

Yes, Java is the fasted grower and undemanding, but it will end up all over the tank.

I would use peacock, it's available on eBay.

Edited September 30, 2013 by bluebelle

[dude_753]

Thanks for all the info and ideas!