duckweed for a pond

[mark456]

hi, i have just got some duckweed from a pond nearby, i am just wondering how i can make it safe for my aquarium,

thanks

 

[ncjharris]

If we are talking about the same thing, I don't think its suitable for an aquarium.
Do you mean this....
http/www.fcps.k12.va.us/StratfordLanding...es/duckweed.htm

From observing it in ponds, it spreads very quickly, would act as a blanket on top of the water, reflecting light and I think it aborbs oxygen as well??

As for making it aquarium safe, put it in and see what happens - perhaps rinse it in tank water first?

 

[mark456]

ive read that it takes out nitrates from the water and it does grow quickly but i will trim it back, i just dont want ruin my aquarium or hurt my fish, do u think if i keep it in a bucket for 2 weeks with salt added it should kill all the nasties that my be in it?

If we are talking about the same thing, I don't think its suitable for an aquarium.
Do you mean this....
http/www.fcps.k12.va.us/StratfordLanding...es/duckweed.htm

From observing it in ponds, it spreads very quickly, would act as a blanket on top of the water, reflecting light and I think it aborbs oxygen as well??

As for making it aquarium safe, put it in and see what happens - perhaps rinse it in tank water first?

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[Fish_Mike]

Well, that should do it, thought it might kill the plants as well. Do you have live plants as well in the tank? The duckweed will suck up all the light, so any current plants you may have will wither. You could take(duckweed) bunches out from time to time to allow some light to seep through, but it'd be a very repetitive job. You have do it almost every week.

I also don't think it'd suck up so much Oxygen as to begin competing with fish.

EDIT: Now that i think about it, i wouldn't risk it. Get Duckweed that you know where it came from and has been. The salt wouldn't remove pollutants (I wouldn't think)

 

[mark456]

yeah im going to keep it just up one corner where i have no plants and kep it trimmed back i dont mind doing that it shouldnt take to long, the only reason im having it is so that my nitrates are lowed then i will get rid of it,

thanks

Well, that should do it, thought it might kill the plants as well. Do you have live plants as well in the tank? The duckweed will suck up all the light, so any current plants you may have will wither. You could take(duckweed) bunches out from time to time to allow some light to seep through, but it'd be a very repetitive job. You have do it almost every week.

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[Fish_Mike]

The Nitrates will be lowered, but after reomving the Duckweed, they'll just return.\

Also, what are you Nitrate readings. If they're under 30ppm, i wouldn't worry about it at all.

 

[mark456]

well when i did my my last water change i used declorinated tap water but it had high nitrates 80-90 ppm so im trying to get them lowered, i got the duckweed from a local pond there was a few creatures in with it mainly little shrimpy things lol,

EDIT: cant spell

The Nitrates will be lowered, but after reomving the Duckweed, they'll just return.\

Also, what are you Nitrate readings. If they're under 30ppm, i wouldn't worry about it at all.

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[pica_nuttalli]

unless you've already added the duckweed (which i have and find to be a big fat pain in the butt), you should really look into getting some hornwort. just a little piece will quickly grow to be several feet long. the hornwort also won't block out all of your light and its much easier to keep under control through trimming.

 

[mark456]

no i havnt added that duckweed yet as i want do get rid of the nasties first but by the sounds of things i dont think i should use it, thanks for the replys keep em comin

 

[yvez9]

putting it in salt would probably kill off the baxcteria (if any) roaming on it, although it will most oliekly kill the duckweed itself...