Duck Weed

thefishboy

I was just wandering if duck weed is actuaaly good for an aqaurium or is it just a weed?? I really wanted some floating plants but im not payin £10 $17 for some... So could i get some out of my pond just a few bits and let it grow.. Then remove every few days.. And does it take all the nutrients that the algea needs meaning less algea..
Thanks..

WH2O

That might work, but Duckweed never survives in my aquariums, maybe its from the HOB filter pushing them underwater all the time, or the iron deficiency.

Duckweed does need regular harvesting, its probably great fertilizer and some fish will appreciate eating it...

thefishboy

I think i may add some... Will they be anything wrong from getting it from my pond??? And will it help some fry hide out.. ASnd im sure the guppys will rellish it..

WH2O

It might introduce organisms such as hydra and planaira. You can rinse the Duckweed but hydra and planaria are only problems in fry tanks and during overfeeding

thefishboy

Ok could i put it in a jar of water water in which from the tank for a few days??

WH2O

Maybe you can take a few pieces and make sure they do not have hitchhikers by observing them in a jar before you them in. But its not the end of the world if you introduce a few, as long as you don't have non-expendable fry (guppies reproduce fast enough to overcome hydra predation) and don't overfeed, hitchhikers are not that big of a problem, you will probably get them eventually.

Also if you dont like the common pest snails, the planaria are very much the same.

thefishboy

Ok i think i will try..

zof

I'd just like to point out its almost silly to buy Duckweed, most people get it because it hitches a ride on other plants you buy, you might find a plant seller that has Duckweed in their tanks and just ask them when they ship your other plant to see if they can throw some in. I'm sure most would do this.

I will confirm what WH20 said about the HOB filter, along with most other floating plants, Duckweed will not do good where there is a lot of flow on the surface. As soon as I changed from my HOB to a sponge filter all my floating plants exploded since they weren't constantly moving anymore.

thefishboy

Ok thank you i will beadding duck weed tomorrow!

Blaxicanlatino

at my local fish store, they have Duckweed in their aquariums but they want it there so they are ready to give it away for free. you could check your lfs maybe?