Floating Plants

[RobGoldsmith]

I am thinking about adding some floating plants to try and cut down some of my light. I have duckweed in the pond which obviously grows crazy! Could I use some of this? Or somehow clean it first?

Also will floating plants get into my internal filter and clog it more easily?

Anyone got any experiences they care to share?

Thanks
Rob

 

[Gytas]

yes you can use some duckweed...
it should not clog the filter unless the flow is very strong and the duckweed will go under water and there is a chance but i think that you should try it i know a lot of people keep duckweed with internal filters and they are just fine...

 

[StandbySetting]

I'd recommend Salvinia natans, it has larger leaves so is easier to remove.

 

[TwoTankAmin]

Duckweed is the most invasive plant I have had. It hitchhiked into my tanks about 9 years ago on plants and I have never been able to completely eradicate it all of my tanks. I believe the only way to get rid of it is to use a flame thrower. Some swear by plant eating fish to eradicate it.

Beside the Salvinia, look into Limnobium laevigatum aka frogbit and Pistia stratiotes aka water lettuce. Many of the stem plants can also be allowed to float.

 

[RobGoldsmith]

Can I get away without ferts and co2?

 

[StandbySetting]

Can I get away without ferts and co2?

In most cases yes, floating plants generally take their CO2 from the atmosphere via the emmersed leaves, nutrients however will depend on light as at the surface it is quite intense.

What's the tank volume and how many Watt's of light are over it?

 

[RobGoldsmith]

Tank volume is around 25L and I have a 30 Watt bulb

Rob

 

[StandbySetting]

The fish should supply enough nutrients but if you find any deficiencies then add an all in one fertiliser that contains N+P.

 

[RobGoldsmith]

sweet, got any ferts in mind which might do the job if needed? I have a lot of plants and I wonder if they are slightly starved anyway

 

[StandbySetting]

Where are you located? On a tank this size TPN+ would be good.

 

[RobGoldsmith]

Devon, Exeter ish

Which is why I cant help slightly dive off topic and ask how Dean Moxey played when he was up with you?

 

[StandbySetting]

Aqua Essentials is very near you and they stock TPN+.

I thought Moxey was a good prospect, and I'm surprised we got rid of him in January, he was developing into a good player and did play as a striker at one point when we were in crisis with injuries etc, he scored a great goal against Preston in November, left footed strike from the wing straight past the goal keeper, he was much better than our other LB Gareth Roberts, and I was disappointed to hear that we sold him.

 

[RobGoldsmith]

I love that boy, legend down here!
I will try them, thanks!