duckweed

[superjalami30]

I purchased a bunch of duckweed a couple of months back and used it in all my tanks.
At first it spread like wild fire, but then suddenly most of it died.
I have very little left (around 5-6 individual lillies).
Why in the world did it die off like that?
The rest of my plants are doing fine.

From what I've read its very easy to care for and doesnt require a whole lot of care.

 

[Lateral Line]

Duckweed is a huge pest in most peoples eyes. The fact that you have discovered a way of getting rid of it may be of great interest to the board!

 

[superjalami30]

Hah!
I like duckweed actually.
Kept in check, its actually quite nice IMHO.
It's a great way for provide cover for fry, goldies love it (free food) and helps soak up extra nutreints in your non planted tanks.
Your right, it can be a pain in the neck, does clog up filters and make a huge mess.
If left to grow wildly that is.
I read somewhere's that sometimes duckweed will do this, die off, only to return again in mad proportions again.
I dunno, guess I'll have to wait and see.

 

[Lateral Line]

I find the biggest problem is that it shades the plants below. I agree, when kept in check, it does have some redeeming features.

 

[Yenko]

Also, in setups when there is insufficient light to grow healthy plants, duckweed is valuble as a shade plant. In my 32 gallon tank with 40w of lighting, I keep the top completely covered in duckweed. The result is that the cryptocorynes grow a lot slower, but they do not get coated in alage. The tank has almost no alage after 3 months of zero cleaning.

 

[superjalami30]

So, now that we've discussed the ups and downs of duckweed, maybe I can figure out why it died on me?
What I do have left has very small if not non exsistant roots.
I have java moss, crypts, swords, and pennywort growing fine in the tank, and ferts are most certainly enough for the duckweed to grow.
stumped

 

[Lateral Line]

Don't know. I notice you have several tanks. Do you have duckweed in other tanks? Are those okay? Have you added/removed anything from the tank? Something eating it? Or picking at the roots if not eating it wholesale?

 

[superjalami30]

When I purchased it, I got ALOT.
So, I put it in all my tanks with the same esults....dead.
I do have a very small amount left in my guppy breading tank, but its all gone in the other tanks.
Lighting and ferts isnt an issue, neither is water params, all are in check and/or good enough to grow plants, especially one thats on the surface.

I'm not upset it all died, just curious as to why and if anyone else has had it happen as well.
stumped

 

[Lateral Line]

Odd. However, if you do find out what got rid of it, and left everything else intact, and you can bottle it - you'll make a fortune.

 

[Silly me]

I know everybody seems unsupportive to your question.. I cant say I disagree with anyone.. I once placed some in my breeding tank now I have some everywhere and I am for ever removing some from one or the other tank..

But duckweed does seem to grow better in tank with a more open top, or my main tank with a fan in the hood to remove extra heat and moisture. I have a little "lifetech" 3g betta tank with a very close lid, and to date I have not needed to remove a single weed from there.. it just doesn’t grow well in there.

just my 2cents. hope it helps.