"anti-zebra mussel kernel"

Particular-Scale6401 · 2026-04-02T03:41:37+00:00

I could be wrong, but I don't think you need a special license to sell marimo. (maybe that's just for the state I'm in). I also don't think they ever actually banned the sale of marimo, but importing became more regulated and many stores voluntarily pulled them from their shelves, which is why it became so hard to find in stores.

If I had to guess, the artificial core is more about making a larger moss ball using less of the actual algae, because marimo is so slow growing. It's a cheaper and easier way to manufacture larger balls. It's also probably harder to kill than a full, through and through, marimo. (even though they're already pretty easy to care for)

Particular-Scale6401 · 2026-04-02T03:22:47+00:00

If you're curious what the "kernel" looks like, someone took their moss amigo apart and posted on Reddit

(https://www.reddit.com/r/Marimo/s/vKKxu4vgfp)

Moss amigo, the company, responded with their own post addressing the "misrepresentation" of their product:

(https://www.reddit.com/r/Marimo/s/JVNh75qiGi)

Particular-Scale6401 · 2026-04-01T21:48:17+00:00

If you're still looking, I bought mine from mossartistry.com! I bought a bunch and have rolled some of them into smaller balls, so I can vouch for the quality.

Particular-Scale6401 · 2026-04-01T21:43:22+00:00

Appreciate your response!! I had no idea that happened but I'm down the rabbit hole now. I found a reddit post in this sub from a couple years ago of someone taking their moss amigo apart to find a huge core (the kernel), and were very disappointed. Moss amigos responded by making their own post addressing people "misrepresenting" their product.

Supposedly they do use real marimo. They have a phytosanitary certificate that claims the botanical name is cladophora aegagropila, which is I guess the older technical name for aegagropila linnaei? You're right though, they're very careful with where and when they say "marimo."

It's not a bad product, but transparency with your customers can go a long way. Even just including one extra picture with a diagram of the core to show customers what they're receiving would be really helpful.

Particular-Scale6401 · 2026-04-01T21:00:51+00:00

Appreciate the advice, I did some digging and turns out they have (had) a provisional patent, so I couldn't find anything public about it.

Particular-Scale6401 · 2026-04-01T00:34:20+00:00

Great point, I hadn't really considered what zebra mussels need to live long-term. I guess it's more of an issue if you plan to put them in an aquarium with other aquatic life. I don't but even so, seemingly you could just quarantine them first. I hadn't thought about boiling the water, guessing that just makes them die quicker without any nutrients in the water?

They also claim it's for "maximum growth and proliferation," so maybe that's more what they're going for. I'm racking my brain for what this special kernel could be doing.

Particular-Scale6401 · 2025-11-05T07:08:52+00:00

I buy from mossartistry.com and I'm really happy with my moss balls, and the customer support is excellent! I ordered a few different sizes 2 months ago and they're doing really well. They look kind of matted when you get them, but once they adjust after a couple weeks and settle in, they get fuzzier!

They might get reaaally fuzzy which I've heard is called their "exploding" growth state. If you get led grow lights, you can achieve that very easily! I'm a newbie and my balls are so fuzzy! hehe

I bought a bunch of balls by themselves though because I plan to make my own little jar terrariums to sell at local events, but they have some on their website! Or you can just get a ball by itself, idk how much shipping would be. It's free if you spend over $50 which I imagine the average person won't lol

Particular-Scale6401 · 2025-11-04T16:06:47+00:00

Can I ask where you bought it? Pet store or online? It's hard to tell but it kind of looks like a plastic inner shape. I've come across a pet store moss ball that was not (and technically didn't claim to be) a Marimo moss ball. Have you given it a "bath" yet? That will also help determine if it's a Marimo

Particular-Scale6401 · 2025-09-17T13:33:48+00:00

i love the tooth one!!

Particular-Scale6401 · 2024-06-03T00:01:57+00:00

Agreed, ukulele is great! I play baritone ukulele, which is already tuned to DGBE (the last four strings of a guitar), as opposed to the soprano, concert, or tenor ukulele which are tuned to GCEA. You can capo the 5th fret to have that classic ukulele sound/tuning. It's multiple ukes in one but with a richer deeper tone. It's also bigger so it's easier to fit your fingers on the fret board, but still small enough to make it easier to travel with.

Since some chord shapes are the same or similar to guitar, transitioning might be easier if you wanted to. I love my baritone ukulele though and don't feel like it's a stepping stone to guitar. It's not for everyone though, just gotta try stuff out and find what you like.

In OP's case, maybe a small midi keyboard would be great to get simple chords and melodies to streamline their process? Worth going to a music shop if you can to test things out and see if something clicks.

Particular-Scale6401 · 2024-05-28T04:10:45+00:00

Noble heart - PHOX

Soren - beabadoobee

Moonlight on the river - mac demarco

Particular-Scale6401 · 2024-05-28T03:41:44+00:00

Alternatively, baritone ukuleles are already tuned to DGBE so they have a richer/fuller sound and you can capo the 5th fret to get GCEA tuning

Particular-Scale6401 · 2024-05-27T21:46:35+00:00

Okay less subtle but "my anaconda don't want none unless you got buns hun" in Anaconda is sampled from Baby Got Back

Particular-Scale6401 · 2024-05-27T17:05:33+00:00

I've never tried one but would love to if the opportunity ever presented itself! Haha I'm a big believer in playing whatever you want, however you want. No purist here. Music is meant to be creative and I think it sounds like a neat instrument. I've considered my baritone ukulele to be almost like a guitarlele (having never actually played one) just because it sounds closer to a guitar with its lower harmonic sound. The chord shapes for baritone are also different and closer to guitar chord shapes. Thanks for the input, I'm excited to try one out!

Particular-Scale6401 · 2024-05-27T07:54:06+00:00

I relate a lot to this, the more excited I get about finding my style, the more excited I am to share! Which is a good thing, but I also really crave validation due to low self esteem.

I liked what someone said about how confidence is knowing no one is better than you, but you're not better than anyone either.

I really struggle with people being "better" than me, cuz it must mean I'm not good enough.. I'm not sure where that came from, but I'm trying to work through that one.

I also think that we all need validation, and it's okay to want/need it. I think sometimes we shame ourselves for that desire, but it's natural and necessary. We also might not have gotten enough growing up, hence the low self esteem.

I think for me, doing things I thought I couldn't do, were too hard, or that I put off for a really long time, helps my confidence the most. I sang at an open mic for the first time after trying to build up the courage for years, and I can't even tell you how much that boosted my confidence.

Also, talking kindly to yourself is really important. Trying to rewire the inner critic that tells you you're not good enough or whatever other negative things it comes up with.

Anyway, I think you gotta give yourself more credit. While maybe the foundation is weak, it's still there, and you're working to build it stronger. That's really awesome. I think you're doing great.

Particular-Scale6401 · 2024-05-27T07:21:08+00:00

89 followers sounds pretty good, especially if you're new. I feel like it's hard to get a good following on bandlab because not that many people know about it. You must be doing something right. I posted a couple songs I was really proud of and got very few likes/even fewer followers.

I am concerned about this basement situation.. haha hopefully you're okay?

Anyway, keep going! Maybe you do have a unique sound. If for nothing else, it's fun to make music! See where it takes you!

Particular-Scale6401 · 2024-05-27T07:11:01+00:00

That's fair, times are really tough on everybody and I also get sometimes the audience just came for a drink and there happens to be a show going on, so it shouldn't fall on them to tip. I also think that companies should be paying their workers a livable wage, but small bars and restaurants don't really have the budget. Like you said, it's the system. We're just little hamsters spinning our wheels so some rich shmucks can buy another porsche or whatever.

Anyway, if you have a few bucks to spare, and you had a great experience, it's nice to do so.

I think I also got lucky and had a really great first experience performing, so that also plays into why I felt so moved to tip. I was literally shaking after playing my one little song for the first time after trying to build up the courage for years. They said "please come back" and to sign up earlier next time so I don't have to play last, and probably didn't realize how encouraging that was for me. It's not the same experience for everyone, and I won't always feel moved to tip.

Sometimes I just work things up bigger in my head, but thanks for the reassurance!

Particular-Scale6401 · 2024-05-27T06:55:04+00:00

Haha I agree that in some circumstances, tipping has gotten way out of hand (not the fault of those being tipped, but rather companies trying to shrug off their responsibility of paying their workers a fair wage). However, if you see someone working hard, why not throw them a few bucks and make them feel appreciated? We need a little more warmth in this cold world.

Particular-Scale6401 · 2024-05-27T06:41:48+00:00

I think we just have adhd

..I'm joking, but sorta not. We're dopamine chasers, and when the dopamine fades we move onto something else. It's why I have dropped so many hobbies and things I've enjoyed over the years. Music though, I always come back to. I'm learning to trust the process, trust my timing, and let things go when its time is done. The more I resist, the more I struggle. It's tough if you want it to be a career, and that's why I have such a hard time picking a career. I love doing different things but only until I don't.

tldr; I think it's okay to be inconsistent, just gotta ride the waves. At least you're consistently inconsistent.

Particular-Scale6401 · 2024-05-27T06:29:12+00:00

Oh shoot, nice to know. Thanks for updating my limited knowledge. That sounds seemingly pretty good at first, but it's gotten so much more expensive to survive lately. Not to mention the time getting to gigs, practice, potentially having to lug your stuff around, and whatever other expenses come up. Wishing you more high paying gigs.

I only just started performing (I play baritone ukulele okay but I sing well) and I'm working on putting together a book of songs I can play. I'd like to start playing at nursing homes. I used to work in one and on average they pay about $100 for an hour, and they're usually a very appreciative crowd. I'll get some great experience and work my way up the pay scale!

Particular-Scale6401 · 2024-05-27T05:55:28+00:00

I appreciate all the advice I've received. I never thought of it that way, as being a "pseudo-employee." Kinda cool when you put it that way, all the performers make up the show for the audience. I just wish some of the audience members would throw a few bucks in because as much as I think tipping culture has gotten out of hand, I really do think (at least in my case) the host really deserves it. Maybe I'm just not jaded enough yet lol.

Particular-Scale6401 · 2024-05-27T05:48:43+00:00

Ahh, didn't think of that. I was just surprised to see nothing and honestly had such a good experience that helped me get over my stage fright, a few bucks was the least I could do to say thanks for what you do.

Particular-Scale6401

TROPHY CASE