Help with substrate and filter for moss propagation tank.

[firstblue]

Thanks for the help in advance.

What substrate and filter do you suggest for a 55 gallon frag-like tank that I will use to grow out moss carpets on pieces of stainless steel? The tank can have an overflow or it can be plugged. Mosses like java, flame, Xmas, Taiwan, and maybe some riccia and fissidens for example.

Also, any suggestion on c02 systems?

[imke_j]

I would head for some planted tank substrates, as ADA Amazonia or Fluval Waterplant Stratum. Besides, my moss grew fast on Shirakura Red Bee Sand, too.

[mordalphus]

Moss seems to do best with medium light and co2. The fertilizers don't seem to do much at all to help growth, a simple liquid fertilizer will be fine (flourish, brightwell, etc) If you have too much light or fertilizer, algae will overtake the moss. Don't dose extra iron, this will only complicate the algae issues.

Moss is a finicky plant overall, it takes a long time to grow, despite conditions. So expect to spend some time waiting.

My best growing moss has been peacock moss, under medium light and co2. As soon as I started dosing EI (estimative index), it started growing all sorts of unwanted algaes. I went back to simple liquid ferts, and it took off again. Still several months to quadruple in size. Fissidens are a different beast, low ferts, low light seem to do best. With co2, it grows a darker green.

In anything doing with moss, patience is the key.

[rod]

Would yu have a pic of the peacock moss with the shrimp?
Thenks

[firstblue]

Any suggestions on a filter setup? Seems it wouldn't need something too complex?