how to boost duckweed growth

[GaryE]

I truly never thought of duckweed as something one could sell. When all my tanks are up and running, I throw away pounds of it every week. I've actually been plotting ways to eliminate it as I start up my tanks after my move is done. One person's pest is another's goal?

 

[Uberhoust]

I went for our normal walk in the snow yesterday and saw on one of the marshes that doesn't ice over a ton of duckweed still green and growing?. I don't think you have to use tropical temperatures, at least not for the variety around here.

 

[Slaphppy7]

"how to boost duckweed growth"​

Put it in water.

 

[Byron]

Nutrients are likely to be your limiting factor. Like all floating plants, Lemna minor (duckweed) is fast growing, which means a reasonably good supply of nutrients plus the light. Overhead tank lighting or similar will deal with the light (a 5000K-6500K light is best for good growth), but without fish in the tank nutrients may be lacking--especially ammonia/ammonium. I have had this plant in my QT for new fish for years, and it always spurts into growth when fish are in the tank compared to other periods without fish. A comprehensive liquid fertilizer will provide all of the nutrients, but nitrogen (ammonia/ammonium) will likely be your limiting nutrient.

 

[Sgooosh]

Nutrients are likely to be your limiting factor. Like all floating plants, Lemna minor (duckweed) is fast growing, which means a reasonably good supply of nutrients plus the light. Overhead tank lighting or similar will deal with the light (a 5000K-6500K light is best for good growth), but without fish in the tank nutrients may be lacking--especially ammonia/ammonium. I have had this plant in my QT for new fish for years, and it always spurts into growth when fish are in the tank compared to other periods without fish. A comprehensive liquid fertilizer will provide all of the nutrients, but nitrogen (ammonia/ammonium) will likely be your limiting nutrient.

ah my tank is 75g
with 4 small pearl gourami
8 small harlequin rasbora
30-40+ small guppy
10 cory medium

 

[StevenF]

floating plants hat an unlimited supply of CO2 ( it extracts it from the air) and water. As long as the water is not froze and there is enough light it does well in most tanks due to fish waist. However if it doesn't do well with light then it is a nutrient i(fertilizer issue. But use fertilizer in your tank may cause algae issue.It would be best to grow additional duckweed in separate containers.

For selling it I would grow it in separate plastic container with only 2 to 3 inches of water. Replace the water weekly to insure the GH is stable you can use any fertilize you find as long as it has nitrogen, potassium , phosphate, iron, manganese boron zinc, coppler and molybdenum. Many aquarium fertilizers are low on nitrogen and phosphate so I would try an orchid fertilizer instead Orchide naturally grow on trees and not soil so in my opinion a orchid fertilizer is more likely to have all the nutrients plants need.. When shipping them I would ship them in unfertilzed water.

 

[Sgooosh]

floating plants hat an unlimited supply of CO2 zinc( it extracts it from the air) and water. As long as the water is not froze and there is enough light it does well in most tanks due to fish waist. However if it doesn't do well with light then it is a nutrient i(fertilizer issue. But use fertilizer in your tank may cause algae issue.It would be best to grow additional duckweed in separate containers.

For selling it I would grow it in separate plastic container with only 2 to 3 inches of water. Replace the water weekly to insure the GH is stable you can use any fertilize you find as long as it has nitrogen, potassium , phosphate, iron, manganese boron zinc, coppler and molybdenum. Many aquarium fertilizers are low on nitrogen and phosphate so I would try an orchid fertilizer instead Orchide naturally grow on trees and not soil so in my opinion a orchid fertilizer is more likely to have all the nutrients plants need.. When shipping them I would ship them in unfertilzed water.

thx i will probably be starting duckweed nursery in the summer, with some guppies to help add fish waste, we have orchids and i can give some orchid ferts but will it harmfish?

 

[StevenF]

we have orchids and i can give some orchid ferts but will it harmfish?

I suggested you do that in a separate container without fish. If you have a lot of orders your fish tank may not be able to provide enough. You if you fertilize your tank to get the growth you need than you might have to push up your nitrogen and phosphate levels which might be diangerous to your fish and cause algae issues. So grow the excess you need in a separate container without fish.

 

[Sgooosh]

I truly never thought of duckweed as something one could sell. When all my tanks are up and running, I throw away pounds of it every week. I've actually been plotting ways to eliminate it as I start up my tanks after my move is done. One person's pest is another's goal?

so much chance for money tho

"how to boost duckweed growth"​

Put it in water.

my duckweed is not having a problem, its just that i got some huge orders and i dont know if the duckweed is enough