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View Full Version : So long duckweed!!



The Zigman
11-18-2009, 3:41 PM
Hey everyone.

since I have become unemployed, my tanks have all taken a turn for the worse. I have been battling duckweed for some time now, it has become thick enough as to actually reduce the lighting in my tank enough that the plants are suffering even more than they have been (i need a light upgrade too, stay tuned for the update thread)

So.. I have rigged up a surface skimmer for my 125.


I used some PVC pipe fittings, the inlet is a 3" to 2" reducer, and there are bushings that reduce the final diameter down to match the 3/4" that is plumbed to my Fx5

The use of 2 elbows (not glued) side by side allow me to adjust the angle of the inlet and I didnt glue the fittings together to allow me a small range of adjustment to the water level.

I skimmed of alot of the duckweed with a net, and so far ( as of the time of the pictures) it has been working for about 30 minutes. and most of it is gone.

There is a piece of plastic needle point mesh inside the 3" reducer to prevent large debris and small animals from being drawn into the filter.

msjinkzd
11-18-2009, 3:46 PM
neat!

bazil323
11-18-2009, 4:17 PM
You must let us know how well it works for ya! (and maybe post step-by-steps for us less intuitively mechanical folks).

The Zigman
11-18-2009, 4:40 PM
Its almost all gone already.

Seems to be working great!
the tank even looks brighter

fishorama
11-18-2009, 4:46 PM
cool idea!

The Zigman
11-18-2009, 4:48 PM
Now to prune the dead plants, and get rid of this friggin algae.
I am almost embarrassed to post any more pix of my poor tank.

kj5kb
11-18-2009, 6:32 PM
coupla goldfish would have done just as good a job...but wouldnt be as clever :clap:

small animals? you have gerbils in your tank ? couldnt resist...


hmm...wonder if you could do it with just a powerhead...thinking...thinking...

The Zigman
11-18-2009, 7:41 PM
coupla goldfish would have done just as good a job...but wouldnt be as clever :clap:

small animals? you have gerbils in your tank ? couldnt resist...


hmm...wonder if you could do it with just a powerhead...thinking...thinking...


Yeah I dont think the goldies would like the 86F water...
Small animals might include the shrimp & snails in the tank..
And any low flying birds or pelicans..