Willow Branches In Water

[tamara]

I'ts been a few days that i've put 5 willow branches in my tank hoping it will suck up green water, so far they're still alive, but i also really like the way i put then in and was wondering if i could plant them in there? Or if it's really bad for the water or something?
-thanks!

 

[Musho3210]

I heard they suck in nutrients faster than plants and may deprive them of nutrients, but ive never had them in my tank.

 

[Biulu]

Being a forester, I can tell you that as long as you make sure some pieces are above the water, they will definitively start rooting, and growing. Willows are streamside trees, and need a lot of water. A problem might be that they can quickly outgrow all your other plants and provide (too much) shade. They will also definitively compete for nutrients, but this you can remedy by fertilizing more, and ensuring they don't have any leaves in the water, so they are obliged to take up nutrients through their roots mainly. If you provide them then with root tabs, and fertilise your other plants with liquid fertilizer, competition will be less.

 

[Themuleous]

Ditto what Biulu said, willow will probably grow a bit to well in a tank, providing it has some parts above the water and decent light.

Sam

 

[tamara]

Uhmm i have no clue about anything with fertilisers or anything,....i've never had plants in my tank so would i be fine if i just leave it in there with the leaves out and without fertilisers?

 

[Dave Spencer]

You remove the Willow once the water is clear, provided that it does work. It is only added on a temporary basis.

Is there any signs of the water clearing?

Dave.

 

[tamara]

I think it is working...it's only been in there for 2 or 3 days, but i think it is working...

 

[Spank]

Am I right in saying salicylate (active component of aspirin) is present in willow? or is this only in the bark? and would this effect the fish or be beneficial for them?

edit: actually could this be why they help to suck up green water, or is this done just by outcompeting the algae for nutrients?

 

[Dave Spencer]

Am I right in saying salicylate (active component of aspirin) is present in willow? or is this only in the bark? and would this effect the fish or be beneficial for them?

edit: actually could this be why they help to suck up green water, or is this done just by outcompeting the algae for nutrients?

Acetylsalicyclic acid (Aspirin), is what is present in the bark. It is believed that this could be what clears the green water, and testing this theory should be easy enough with a glass of water left in the sunlight.

Another theory is that the willow is very efficient in sucking up any minute trace of ammonia; ammonia being a major trigger for green water. It does suck up a lot of nutrients in the water also, so if the tank is planted you will need to be careful that you are not depriving them of nutrients.

From what I have read, this method is a bit hit and miss.

Dave.

 

[tamara]

dont worry...it's not planted, will asprin affect my fish though if i try thatt?

 

[Dave Spencer]

dont worry...it's not planted, will asprin affect my fish though if i try thatt?

I was thinking of giving it a go with an algae culture, rather than risk any of the fish in my tanks. I would carry a little research to see if it actually works before I risk it in one of my communities.

Dave.

 

[tamara]

should i grab a dish and scoop some of my green water in there then pop an aspirin in there?
do i grind it up? break it? or leave it whole?

 

[Dave Spencer]

I never thought of using you as the Guinea Pig.

You could try varying amounts of aspirin in different samples of green water, starting from a minute amount. If it works, you could one of the hobbies pioneers.

If it does work there will still be the issue of introducing it in to a tank of fish and inverts, though.

Dave.

 

[tamara]

Well i'll try that tomorrow morning as right now the fish are probably sleeping..it's 1 in the morning.
So i'll do 5 different tests to see if it works at all, same with the willow.


also, if it did work...how would i know if it was safe for the fish?
i've got tons of guppies...would it be absolutly horrible if i tried it with one or two of them??

 

[tamara]

so far i've got 3different bottles of green water:
1 plain
1 w/asprin
1 w/willow branch