Betta fish require a particular habitat, or they might die in stress. One such tank condition betta requires adding enough plantation and tank toys to avoid boredom and have a vibrant and lively life. There are many plants like java moss, java fern, water sprite, and moss balls for the betta tank that you can add to the tank.
Healthy live plants are essential for a betta fish tank because adding plants will give a more natural look to betta in its habitat and help give betta fish places to hide or play with. Plants like moss ball for betta also keep the natural healthy bacteria balance in the tank and keep it clean. When choosing plants for betta fish, we have to be careful because they tend to nibble on the roots or leaves, and therefore moss ball for betta will be a perfect choice. In this article today, we will know more about the benefits of moss ball for betta and how to take efficient care of it.
What Is Moss Ball For Betta?
Moss balls for betta fish are nothing but a collection of algae packed together so densely that they cannot change their shape unless you apply a certain pressure on the moss ball. They are initially found in Scotland, Japan, and Iceland.
It acts as a perfect fit for a betta tank because they are generally small in size, and for a small size tank, it is challenging to plant enough shrubs to maintain the natural balance.
Since it is made up of algae, you might worry about the growth of algae in the tank, but moss balls keep the growth of algae restricted to its shape. Therefore any algae exposure to your tank to moss ball for betta is not harmful; if anything, it is beneficial.
The best part of adding a moss ball for betta tank is that it requires minimum maintenance and is easy to clean. Betta fish will enjoy the presence of moss balls in the tank. They will roll it over and play with it. Moss balls for betta, large tend to settle to the bottom, and small ones float on the surface.
Either way, betta fish loves playing with moss balls. There are many benefits attached to it. Let us take a peek at its benefits.
Benefits Of Moss Ball For Betta:
Negligible Maintenance Needed
Most people opt for fake plants in the tank so that they do not have clean or maintain the plant in the tank. The majority of living plants demand adequate lighting and watering. After that, you’ll need to clip them periodically. For moss balls, this isn’t necessary. In contrast, you can usually keep them in your tank and let them do their own business. Only brush them or flip them now and then.
Eliminating Waste And Circulating Oxygen
Marimo moss balls, like other plants, will aid in the removal of trash from your aquarium. The nitrites, nitrogen, and ammonium in a tank assist plants in photosynthesizing. They’ll also be removing some of the co2 from the container and replacing it with oxygen. A tank with a betta and other tank mates might benefit from the extra oxygen circulating.
Keeping Healthy Bacteria
Beneficial microorganisms are required in all aquariums. They aid in decomposing ammonium and nitrogenous compounds in the water, making it more pleasant for your betta. They’re also ideal for a bacterium population to flourish because of the greater area they cover.
This also implies you won’t have to cleanse your filters as frequently because your tank will not be devoid of all of its germs. It’ll start multiplying back in no period.
Algae Growth Reduces
A paradoxical thing about having moss balls for betta in the tank is that they prevent the growth of other algae. This is because the algae moss ball uses the nutrients that algae need to grow in the tank for betta to grow. Therefore, it restricts the growth of other algae in the tank.
How To Take Care Of Moss Ball For Betta?
Taking care of a moss ball for betta is not a challenging task. It requires the minimum requisites of an essential aquatic plant. Here are the things you need to keep in mind while having a moss ball for betta tank.
- Moss balls, like any other algae, like moderate, ambient lighting. Moss balls will become brownish if they are subjected to too much light. Try peeling the brown layer off when this occurs to uncover the rich green top beneath.
- Moss balls do not thrive in all types of water. However, keeping them at 72 to 78 degrees Fahrenheit is preferable.
- Nitrogenous waste and carbon dioxide are required for the growth of moss balls. It’s not sufficient for the ammonia and carbon dioxide to reside alongside them in the aquarium. To feed the algae in the moss ball’s center, the water transporting these elements must circulate through the complete moss ball. As a result, we recommend splitting the moss balls.
3 Best Moss Balls For Betta:
Niteangel Marimo Moss Balls
These are the greatest betta fish tank real moss balls to choose from. Niteangel improved moss balls are manufactured entirely with hand-dried real moss, have a fresh scent, and are free of synthetic components and chemicals. Niteangel’s moss balls are non-toxic and do not include any chemical additives or pesticides.
Marimo balls capture air bubbles within, causing them to drift. Compress the Marimo lightly and burst the air bubble in this instance. Marimo is a great addition to any living tank.
Because they are 100 percent organically produced, you may obtain oddly shaped moss balls that are not necessarily bright green in color. Their unusual design makes them a great compliment to aquarium logs and aquarium decorations, as well as a focal aquarium ornament.
Pros And Cons:
Fluval Betta Moss Ball
Fluval has established a heritage of passion for innovation, evolving persistently in an evolving world to produce unique tank items that are at the leading edge of technological innovation and set the standard in terms of performance, aesthetics, and practicality.
Fluval’s purpose is to inspire aquarists of all levels of experience to enjoy and appreciate the passion for future generations, not merely to create items that seem like the natural environment.
The Fluval Betta Moss Ball is a two-in-one product that creates an attractive setting while also controlling phosphate levels. Many of the chemicals that promote unattractive organic matter buildup are reduced by the adsorbent resin.
Pros And Cons:
Exo Terra Moss Ball
The Exo Terra Moss Ball aids in the provision of crystal pure water as well as the reduction of odors. The Exo Terra Moss Ball is intended to look like its natural version and features a specific absorbent resin that assists decrease many of the components that promote the unattractive organic waste collection.
The Exo Terra Moss Ball helps to produce optimum parameters for animals and plants by accumulating and holding phosphate, nitrite, and nitrate inside its center, making aqua-terrarium care simple. Exchange with a fresh Exo Terra Moss Ball in two months for best efficacy, based on water quantity.
Exo Terra has established itself as the industry leader in reptile solutions for natural terrariums throughout the years. The principle of sustainable, ongoing innovation enabled this achievement.
Pros And Cons:
FAQs on Moss Ball For Betta
How long do betta moss balls last?
Moss balls require little to no maintenance and can live up to 100 years. You need not keep a moss ball for betta for 100 years; replace it as and when required.
How to clean a moss ball for betta?
Remove the moss ball from the tank and put it in a container with a specific volume of water from the initial betta tank water to cleanse it. Continue lightly rubbing it once you’ve completed this. With each constriction, it will discharge water.
Do moss balls need food?
They don’t require any food or fertilizers because they nourish themselves via photosynthesis. However, you can use fertilizers for other flora in the tank.
Are moss balls good for betta fish?
Yes, they are. Not only does betta fish enjoys the presence of moss balls, but they are excellent nitrogenous waste cleanser and provide better-oxygenated water.
Final Thoughts:
Moss ball for betta can be a wise choice. However, we do not advise keeping just one plant in your betta tank. Try installing logs, java moss, and ferns to replicate a betta fish’s natural habitat. We also recommend installing betta toys like rings, hoops, mirrors, and more for a healthy betta life.