Using Live Sphagnum Moss as Biological Media in Aquarium

[@petecross9470]

Such an interesting topic, one I've never heard of in relation to aquaria! Absolutely beautiful tanks too! As a new subscriber , I'm looking forward to watching more of your videos. Keep up the great work, it's inspirational!

[@tropicalfishhub]

Thank you! Much appreciated:)

[@maureenk-farmhousecharms903]

Thank you for this information. I’d definitely like to try this in a tank or two to see if it helps improve my nitrate levels too. Your tanks are beautiful & lush with growth so something you are doing is right!!! Great videos!!

[@tropicalfishhub]

Thank you! It'd be great to know if this works in other people's tanks as well

[@plethodon1575]

Fascinating video! Seems like such a simple method of mimicking nature, yet I haven't seen this in the hobby. I have a question about adding water. I'm assuming you don't need to remove any water. Do you use tap water or distilled? If the aquarium pH is ~5 and you add 20% tap water, does that stress fish? I really appreciate your insights on sphagnum moss!

[@tropicalfishhub]

Thank you:) I'm using tap water, it is at about pH 7.0. It is true that water hardness rises after a water change, but usually this is not an issue as my tap water is already very soft with TDS levels below 70ppm. If your tap water is hard, it is better to mix RO with tap before adding to prevent significant change in hardness

[@asier2001]

Could you put the link of that scientific article? It seems really interesting. Regards

[@tropicalfishhub]

Thank you. I have added a link to that article in video description.

[@TyrantII]

Awesome video, and the moss looks very healthy... but unfortunately that doesn't look like Sphagnum to me. That said, the moss is still doing exactly what you want, so not a big deal. That species might actually might be better suited, as Sphagnum can be picky on TDS and nutrient levels. There's also a few species of aquatic Sphagnum that can grow fully underwater, but I haven't had a chance to play with them yet. Keep up the good work 👍

[@renamcvicar]

Stunning tanks!

[@Velvet_Drop]

Maybe bacteria introduced by Sphagnum also contribute to the conditions. It would be interesting to see effects of different species Sphagnum : Vosse rare plants shop has many different species also tropical ones. Light is quite important tho for Sphagnum. Very great video, 5 stars!

[@Delehmes]

Thanks for sharing your experience with us. After watching it, I started experimenting. There is something I'm curious about. Should the water flow be sprayed over the Sphagnum or is it enough for the aquarium water to touch the bottom or root part of the Sphagnum? 

[@tropicalfishhub]

Thank you. You will need to spray sphagnum moss if it has no contact with water at all, but in case if there is some contact, no need to mist/spray it as it will already be getting enough moisture

[@YannHoiret.Fanatik-discus]

Hello, thanks for your report 👍 Did you test the Phosphate amount?

[@tropicalfishhub]

Thank you! I never test phosphate

[@lookup1675]

Amazing informative video.. Thank you 💚💚

[@imamsantoso6484]

I think you should check again your ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates...as far as i know its impossible to get a zero amonia nitrites and nitrates conditions, if your nitrates went to 0 ppm then maybe your amonia or nitries will increase... Btw your video was great, ill in my way to make my black water tanks !

[@Gilsfishroom]

Would a pond basket with a layer of lava rock in the bottom with water flowing through it and the sphagnum moss on top work?

[@tropicalfishhub]

I think it should work great, particularly if the lava rock is smaller size so that the moss can get rooted.

[@Gilsfishroom]

Thanks mate. I might try that in my sump.

[@nadina1]

Hi, I have a question, I’m trying to use this moss to lower the ph in my fish tank and I was wondering, if I did submerge it in water, how long do I need to wait until I replace it. When will it’s ability to lower my ph stop?

[@tropicalfishhub]

Sphagnum moss will die when under water, but like other botanicals it will continue leaching acids and affecting your water hardness. I'd say you will need to replace it perhaps every other month as it will start breaking down into smaller pieces

[@hezeljudah9618]

Do you stick the sphagnum moss with glue?

[@tropicalfishhub]

No, I just attach it to driftwood and usually it sticks well. Although there should be no problem gluing it either

[@troifish]

Can i use dried spaghnum moss inside my cannister filter? Will it affect my PH?

[@tropicalfishhub]

I think it should work, but you will need to replace it from time to time, because it will get dirty and also lose its pH lowering qualities