Could i kill duckweed?

[cichlidcichlid]

I have already been unable to grow elodea. Is there a chance i could grow duckweed? I have an african cichlid tank. The lighting is 15watt bio plant bulb. I don't want to upgrade yet but was wondering since duckweed floats on the surface then it would be close enough to grow it. Would this work? If it would is there any chance at all of my killing duckweed, or no matter what will i have good results growing it? How much does this plant cost? How well would it keep the nitrates under control until my weekly water change?



cichlidcichlid

PS: Still trying to find a plant that i can grow!:rolleyes:

[Mgamer20o0]

i think you cant kill duckweed. i have had some in a bucket in water next to my tank for a month. the only light it gets is some coming from the side. just remember once its in.... you might not be able to get it back out.

you should be able to get this for free. i have a couple pounds of it just sitting around here.

[fishcatch22]

duckweed can grow in septic tanks. 'nuff said.

[Plecosterone]

A shotgun MIGHT do it, but I doubt it. The only way to really get rid of it is stay on top of it and keep picking it out and then maybe, just maybe you can get rid of it. Darn stuff is worse than snails, but at least they do some good.

[cichlidcichlid]

you miss under stand, i want to grow it! Unless you have a hardy plant that is just as good. Remeber i have 4 inch african cichlids they might reck it.

[wataugachicken]

i got a load of duckweed for free, after i asked for it the LFS owner basically threw it at me. i think i might be the only person who CAN'T grow it. too much flow in my tanks - it all got pushed down into the water and then sucked up by the filters. it was supposed to be snacks for the goldfish, and they enjoyed it, but it didn't last as long as i would have liked.

try some hornwort - you can plant it or float it. i have 30w over 55g (!), no added nutrients or carbon, and it grows about 4-5 inches per week. kinda like pine for aquariums - spikey and tough, so it's not a very tasty treat for the fish.

[cichlidcichlid]

where do i get horn wort and how much? Will it thrive in 15watt lighting and pretty good levels of nitrates.

[wataugachicken]

petsmart, $2.20 or so for a bunch.

[cichlidcichlid]

Will it thrive in 15watt lighting and pretty good levels of nitrates.

[wataugachicken]

i have 30 watts over 55 gallons (already said that in the other post) and it thrives in there with the fish listed in my signature and nothing added. you have 15 watts. . . how many gallons?

[Mgamer20o0]

hornwort is another good plant. it goes like crazy and have to trim is often.

[ROLLIN]

i think i might be the only person who CAN'T grow it. too much flow in my tanks - it all got pushed down into the water and then sucked up by the filters.



I had the same problem.

[Mgamer20o0]

the cure for the weed...... maybe ill have to get some hot mags and try it out. i been trying to get rid of it for months.

[cichlidcichlid]

29gal.

[johndumas]

I have used duckweed for 44 years in my tanks, especially the tanks that I am immitating pond or swamp water, ( can not do water changes fish won't breed ), I leave the lights on 24/7 and skim off 80% of the duck weed every 2 weeks with plastic canvas. also stops algea cold.

[cichlidcichlid]

well what i would like to know is if i can keep it with african cichlids and in a tank that is 29gal and has 15watt lighting. I don't have the money for upgrade right now.

[cichlidcichlid]

Basically i want a plant that can thrive on my nitrates bringing them down. As well as getting a plant that i can actually grow. :help: :mad2: :help: :confused: :help:

[Malbri]

you can try hornwort, that floats is low light and grows pretty fast

[wataugachicken]

water changes will bring your nitrates down. have you tried that?

[Malbri]

petsmart, $2.20 or so for a bunch.
i got a large bunch of hornwort at petco for 1.99

[cichlidcichlid]

i do them weekly. I am over stock not much i can do right now.

[Mysteria]

Duckweed is impossible to kill! I bet you can grow it.

[cichlidcichlid]

now where do i get it in my area. Would petco or petsmart sell it.

[wataugachicken]

why don't you just call around to your local stores? Not every store has the same plants at the same time, so your best bet is to actually ask the ones at which you plan to shop. They will be able to tell you what they have in stock this week.

[Reddog80p]

I would look at nursery places that wave water plants, sometime the best way to find a local person who sells water plants right out of his pond is by calling pet or fish stores, I doubt most chain stores will know of any but some "mom and pop" fish stores may know of a person, Thats how I get all my plants. The guy is retired and loves water gardening i'd rather give him my money any day of the week, plus he always gives my freebies, like red stemmed parrots feather, or extra water hyacinths. I don't like duckweed, it grows like a weed!

[cichlidcichlid]

I asked around and they want 8.99 for it.

It sounds like a rip off to me.

[glenngreen]

I have tried duckweed several times with my cichlids. They think its floating food. They love the stuff. I can't get it to stay long enough to grow. Hornwort works for me -- they don't eat it, and it actually secretes a substance that kills algae. Thats why algae wont grow on hornwort. It is a good nitrate sponge.

[Cerianthus]

I asked around and they want 8.99 for it.

It sounds like a rip off to me.


Are you serious? 8.99 for a duckweed?
I am sure you can find lfs who are wiiling to give you portions for free.

btw, once you have population explosion of duckweed, dont throw out the duckweed in to drain, rather throw them out in the garbage can so they can dried out and die.

[nosdod]

I'd be happy to pay the shipping if you would mail me a bag of Duckweed; still wet if you have it otherwise send dried. Thanks.