The moss balls give the inhabitants of the aquarium something to hide behind, climb on, feed from, and rest under.Even though there are no aquatic creatures, they make great tank decorations.It's important to keep your aquatic moss ball clean so that it doesn't turn into a dirty, dark, and unattractive mess.
Step 1: A bucket of water is needed to clean your moss ball.
The water should be put into a bucket.It has a temperature of 72 to 78 F (22 to 26C) and a pH of 6.0 to 8.0.If you don't already have one, buy one from a pet store or online supplier.Add 12 cup of sea salt for every 1 gallon of saltwater.You can use the excess water from your aquarium to clean your moss ball.
Step 2: Squish your moss ball into the water.
You can put the moss ball in the aquarium water.Start squeezing it to remove the dirt it has absorbed.Before releasing your grip, remove the ball from the bowl to prevent it from getting dirty.The moss ball might be damaged if you squeeze it in the same spot.
Step 3: Roll the moss ball with your palms.
The moss ball may be out of shape after being cleaned.It could break apart in some cases.Roll it between your palms to get it back into its spherical shape.This will help the strands connect and prevent it from falling apart.Don't apply too much pressure when rolling your moss ball.Roll it up as a separate ball if you break a piece off.
Step 4: Return the moss ball to the aquarium.
The moss ball should float to the surface when you put it back into the aquarium.This means that there isn't any more water inside, which is what you want.It will sink to the bottom if you give it some time.Give your moss ball another clean after it sinks to the bottom of the aquarium.It's important to keep a grip on it after the last squeeze to prevent it from sucking up water.
Step 5: It's a good idea to inspect your moss ball every 1 to 2 weeks.
If your moss ball lives next to other animals that tend to leave waste or dig up sand, make sure it's clean once a week or more.If you keep your moss ball alone, it won't get dirty very often and you can check it every other week.It's a good idea to remove it from the tank and inspect it.It's time for a clean if it is dirty, it will be brown or gray.If you have fish, shrimp, or snails in your aquarium, you won't have to clean your moss ball as often.
Step 6: To keep your moss ball fresh, swap 25 percent of the tank water every week.
The moss ball needs clean water to stay fresh.If you want to avoid heavy lifting, you can either manually remove the water with a bucket or use a siphon.The water should be replaced with dechlorinated and purified water.If you have a moss ball in a fish tank, use a water purifier.If your moss ball is alone, use tap water.If you're adding cold water, make sure the temperature is right for the fish in your tank.For saltwater tanks, mix 12 cup of sea salt for every 1 gallon of water.
Step 7: You can keep your moss ball in the sun.
Placing moss balls in the sun is fine if you want to make food.If you want equal light exposure, avoid placing moss balls in direct sunlight.The moss ball is not getting enough sunlight if it is brown on one side.The brown side faces the light.Keep rotating it so that each side gets enough light once it becomes green.
Step 8: Water and tweezers can be used to remove invaders.
If you notice that your moss ball is getting slippery or slimy, it might be the result of a foreign invader.Go under the tap water and run your moss ball.Wait until it fills, squeeze it out and repeat.If the layer is visible, use a pair of tweezers to remove it.Salt levels in your water should be increased to help remove the slimy layer in saltwater tanks.
Step 9: If you can't get rid of the dirt, replace the moss balls.
A moss ball that is turning black is being neglected or attacked by hostile organisms.Throw out your moss ball and swap it for a new one if chemical cleaning and physical removal doesn't work out.Moss balls can last up to 100 years.