Duckweed Or Similar

[moochy13]

my friend has a large tank that is infested with duckweed, or something similar. im not sure what its called, but im pretty sure he said duckweed. anyway, he cant get rid of it and its ruining his beautiful tank.

is there a way to get rid of it, or even better a fish that will eat it

 

[VaegaVic]

A big net.

Just keep scooping, also, a siphon might lend a hand.

 

[moochy13]

a net is what hes been using, unfortunately parts of his aquascape are above the surface, making it difficult to remove it all. is that as good as it gets though

 

[VaegaVic]

There is this..
http/www.blagdonwatergardens.co.uk/Interpet_Duckweed_Buster_250ml

But its up to you.
I don't see how this chemical kills duckweed, but not other plants.

 

[mark4785]

I'd get rid of the duckweed (it appears as very small fine green leaves which are not actually leaves but are 'thalloids'; the size of sand granules) by relentless removal of the leaf-like structures by netting them and conducting small W/C's. You don't want to be using products like 'Duckweed buster' by blagdon unless it absolutely guarantees that it will not affect your higher plants.

 

[moochy13]

if all the leaves are gone (which is going to be incredibly difficult in the tank in question), will there be...ermm..spores or seeds or whatever? i dont know, my plant terminology/biology is non existent. bascially if all the leaves are gone is that the end of it ?

 

[mark4785]

if all the leaves are gone (which is going to be incredibly difficult in the tank in question), will there be...ermm..spores or seeds or whatever? i dont know, my plant terminology/biology is non existent. bascially if all the leaves are gone is that the end of it ?

I'm no expert on duckweed but from observation, this is how you'd remove it:

Remove every thalloid as it is these that multiply very rapidly and a root like structure eventually grows from them for extra support. If there are roots on them I would remove these too as a precaution.

I don't think it spreads via spores. As for seeding, you could say the thalloid is a type of seed (not literally) as everything grows and expands from one thalloid.