How to Plant Weeping Moss in the Substrate (Attachment Guide)

Weeping moss grows underwater with direct contact with the minerals found in the aquarium. The plant doesn’t have true roots, a stem to hold its position.

You put them in the water, and it will evenly spread on the surface.

Therefore, growing weeping moss is easy with the wide range of substrates found in nature, such as ceramics, soil, wood, fabric, plastic, seasoned concrete, and glass surfaces. Even you can place the weeping moss plant on large objects such as clay pots or walls.

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How to Plant Weeping Moss in Substrate?
How to Plant Weeping Moss in Substrate?

Moisture is the vital ingredient of the weeping moss to grow. The moss attracts fast growth with the right amount of moisture and nutrition.

How to Plant Weeping Moss in the Substrate?

Driftwood, cotton ball, or produce mesh-like structure in the aquarium. Place the weeping moss on any surface you are willing to grow it. The plant is flexible, which permits it to take any shape where it is grown.

Fix the weeping moss on the driftwood and moderate the water condition to a suitable temperature. As the plant grows, it takes the shape of driftwood and grows exponentially.

Besides that, the mesh is the most common way to place the weeping moss in the aquarium. It creates a natural garden in the tank. Mesh structure can be used vertically on the backside of the tank. Or you can have it at the bottom of the tank.

Weeping moss ball is another way to use the plant to make the circular ball-like structure. Moss ball adds a more natural look to the aquarium. Also, aesthetically the tank feels appealing.

One of the good qualities of the moss is that it takes any shape while growing. Put them on any surface, and the plant will cover the entire surface. Compared to any other aquarium plant, moss is easier to plant and achieves the desired shape for the decorative.

Mounting on the rock to give it a shape of the natural habitat. Use the glue to stick the moss plant on the rock. As the weeping moss grows, it will expand around the stone, giving it a perfect rock shape.

What substrate is best for Weeping Moss?

Using a mesh to cover the bottom of the aquarium’s backside would give the fish tank a fantastic look. Weeping moss grows in the stages, and with every growth, the plant will cover the area you placed nearby.

There is no limitation on how you grow weeping moss. The moss will cover the entity and take shape if you put any object. Plant take over any surface and grow comfortably.

How long does it take for Weeping Moss to attach?

If you have used Cotton sewing thread to tie the weeping moss, it may automatically dissolve in the water. Generally, the growth rate of the weeping moss is quite fast. Thus, it may not take much time to attach to any surface.

However, the space it has to cover also determines the time. Still, you consider a month to be fully connected to the surface.

What is the best way to grow Weeping Moss?

Weeping moss needs proper water conditions to grow faster. The water temperature also plays a critical role in the weeping moss growth.

Use the temperature-controlled environment to ensure the plant gets sufficient nutrition. Without it, the growth rate of the weeping moss would take some time.

Always use the thread to tie the plant to the object. If the plant is placed in open water, it may create a double layer, reducing the growth significantly.

A light source is essential for the plant. Use the LED lights specially made for the aquarium that produces more UV lights. Plant do not consume any other light than UV lights.

Sufficient light exposure helps the weeping moss to produce food. When you maintain the natural habitat with clean water, it makes the plant blossom fast.

What is the best fish-friendly way to attach Weeping Moss to the substrate?

Plant growth is a slow process; hence, you should ensure that whatever substrate you use in the aquarium is fish friendly. The weeping moss will be lying on the substrate using UV lights to produce the food most of the time.

There will be no contact with the fish. The fish may show interest in the weeping moss when they are hungry.

You have to ensure that the plant gets minimum contact with the fish. Feed the fish on time, so they are always full and do not touch the weeping moss plant.

Another concern aquarists have when planting weeping moss on the substrate is attachment. You have to be very precise about the attachment used to place the weeping moss in the position. It should not be harmful to the fish.

Cotton thread is used mainly in weeping moss, making it easy for the plant to grow. Also, the cotton thread stays quite long until the weeping moss plant obtains a grip on the substrate. After a month, the line will dissolve automatically in the water.

Mesh structures look great on weeping moss. Use the mesh and wrap the weeping moss on it. Tie the plant with the fishing line to hold it in a place. Once the plant is in the position, it will cover the entire mesh as it grows.

Soon the whole mesh will turn into a weeping moss net. Once the weeping moss is fully developed on the mesh and attached naturally, you can remove the mesh and fish line. The plant will stay in the carpet structure without needing substrate.

Does Weeping Moss float or sink?

Weeping moss is a floating plant, but as it grows, the weight of the plant makes it sink totally. When you put them in the aquarium, the growth will make the plant submerge under the water.

Only a portion of the plant that is not attached to anything and light enough to float will reach the surface. Otherwise, the entire plant will be underwater.

Ensure that when you attach the plant to the substrate, a fishing line or glue used for the weeping moss is placed accurately. It may cause plants to reach the surface.

How can I plant Weeping Moss in the substrate?

Weeping moss is one of the favorite plants of the aquarist when it comes to developing green decorative objects using the live plant. Here is the substrate’s list used to create unique live decorative with the help of weeping moss

Driftwood

Clean the driftwood thoroughly before attaching a weeping moss plant to the surface. Use the fish line to place the plant on the driftwood substrate. Let is grow for a few weeks.

Sometimes you might have to trim the plant to control the exponential growth. Within a few months, the driftwood will be covered by the green weeping moss plant. Do not forget to remove the fish line from the plant. Else, it will get eaten by the fish and cause health issues.

Rock

Put the weeping moss on the rock with the help of the cotton thread. The cotton thread will allow the plant to stay in its position. Also, after a month, the cotton automatically dissolves and gets the shape it requires.

Mesh

The mesh is used when you have to make the carpet out of the weeping moss plant. Take the mesh and attach a few weeping moss plants to the mesh. Use the fish line or cotton thread to tie the moss plant in the position.

Ensure that the plant is managed until it is fully grown or at least grown to the point where it can thrive naturally. The small pieces of the plant may fall when you try to arrange it.

If you plan to put them in the backside of the tank in the vertical form, you may have to use the large size weeping moss-grown separately in another tank.

Coconut Shell

Get the coconut shell and clean it from inside as well as outside. Cut it in half or if you want to make a moss ball, then use it entirely. Ensure that you remove the internal part.

You may have to make a hole at the bottom to remove the water from the inside and coconut. Once done with this, use the thread to attach the weeping moss to the surface. Cover the maximum part of it. After that, leave it in the water and let it grow naturally.

How do I prepare driftwood to plant Weeping Moss?

Driftwood should not be placed directly into the aquarium water. It requires cleaning, sanitation, and essential preparation to ensure it does not release harmful substances into the water. The wood is made of various chemicals and nutrition. Some of them are harmful to the fish.

Begin with finding the place to fix the driftwood in the water. Draw a rough sketch of an aquarium with the driftwood and see if it looks appealing.

Check if the driftwood fits comfortably in the given space. Rearrange it if it does not looks beautiful and put it vertical or horizontal position. Cut the spare part if required to meet the desired look.

After you decide the place, clean the driftwood thoroughly. Use the brush or scrub pad to clean the surface. Dirt and dust particles lying on the driftwood need to be removed. Debris may get stuck to the wood, which causes the water to be contaminated.

Do not use soap or any cleaning chemicals. Wood may soak the substances and release them when you put them in the aquarium.

Once the cleaning is done, the next step is preparing the driftwood to submerge underwater. Buoyancy may be there that pulls the driftwood to the surface. Some driftwood is lightweight and may start floating when you put them in the water.

A solution to the problem is to keep the driftwood submerged in the water for a week. Put weight on it or tie it in the bottom with the help of a soak. Allow it to soak water and get heavy. The process may take 1 to 2 weeks to get saturated.

Boil the wood for 1 to 2 hours and let it cool down at the natural room temperature. Boiling driftwood for several hours also benefits in removing the trapped bacteria and harmful chemicals. The boiling process also develops tan on the wood surface, making it more realistic.

This driftwood might have covered a large area and brought many substances. It helps you sterilize the driftwood and remove algal, fungal, and viruses in the wood’s pores. Ensure these viruses are removed, and driftwood is ready to use.

Can I anchor Weeping Moss?

Yes. Choose a bunch of weeping moss and tie them with a heavy object such as rock or decorative equipment. Ensure the weeping moss is submerged under the water because it requires adequate moisture to flourish.

Anchor will place the moss in the position and not allow it to move in the aquarium.

Can Weeping Moss attach to fabric?

Yes. You can use biodegradable fabric to grow moss. Fabric is used when you want to create moss carpet. Attach the moss plant with the help of the thread and allow it to grow naturally.

Within a few weeks, the plant will cover the entire fabric and take the shape of the green live carpet made of the moss plant.

What is the safest glue to attach Weeping Moss?

There are specially made flourish glue available in the stores to use when working on the aquarium. It is made of superior cyanoacrylate gel for placing the moss plant in the position.

Use the rocks, driftwood, and even the gravel to put it. Apply the glue and fix the weeping moss in the place. Keep them rooted to the substrate and make it grow.

How to apply glue for attaching Weeping Moss to driftwood?

Use the aquarium-safe glue to attach the weeping moss. Glue quickly gets dry within a few minutes. The gel-like formula easily gets spread on the driftwood.

After applying the glue, take a few pieces of the weeping moss plant and stick them to the wood. Let it dry for a few minutes. Ensure that the weeping moss is moist enough to stay alive during this period.

Can I attach Weeping Moss on Driftwood without Glue?

Yes. Attaching weeping moss without glue is also possible. Use the cotton thread or fishing line to place the weeping moss plant in the position. Tie them properly so they will not lose quickly. Glue is not required when using thread.

Do’s & Don’ts of planting Weeping Moss on Substrate.

You must know some of the do’s and don’ts to avoid damaging the plants whenever you decide to plant weeping moss on the substrate.

Do’s

  • Clean the substrate before placing it in the aquarium thoroughly.
  • Substrate should submerge in the water; otherwise, it will float when attaching the weeping moss plant.
  • When attaching the weeping moss plant, use aquarium-safe glue, fishing line, or cotton thread.
  • Remove the thread or fishing line when the moss is fully developed and cover the substrate completely.

Don’t

  • Do not use random glue for the aquarium.
  • Do not place the substrate above the water in the floating position. It should be submerged underwater.

Conclusion

The weeping moss plant is easy to grow using the substrate. You can place them wherever you want to. It will start growing and taking the shape of the substrate. Therefore, every aquarist should have a beginner-safe plant in their aquarium.

By Uswatta Liyanage

Hello. I'm Uswatta Liyanage from Galle, Sri Lanka. I am the founder of this website. Since my childhood I'm an aqua plant lover and I have professionally learned more about aqua plants. So I created this site for share my knowledge and experience with all of you. Now you can refer my site and feel free to contact me if any inquiry.