Sorry to keep adding posts but I am trying to find out about a plant called "duckweed" has anyone heard of it? I am wanting something that floats for my gourami's that is just one I found but the site did not have a picture of it or discription?
anyone know about duckweed?
- Thread starter Lady G
- Start date
Duckweed is bacteria's answer to a plant. Not really, but it's close. A single 'duckweed' is just a simply disk of green, with a short 'root' that hangs below the plant. It floats at the surface. Collectively, duckweed can overgrow and completely cover the surface. Many fish eat it happily. Duckweed grows incredibly quickly, and can completely cover the surface in just a few days. It's really good for removing nitrogen spikes, and also helps remove other toxins from water.
Availability--not many fish stores carry it. I'd check a pond store. It's often an unwanted hitch hiker with pond plants.
But--there are other options. Frogbit also floats, and tends to be slower gorwing. Water lettuce is also a choice--though mine tended to stay very small, they floated nicely and provided better cover for fish because they develop longer roots than do the duckweed.
Availability--not many fish stores carry it. I'd check a pond store. It's often an unwanted hitch hiker with pond plants.
But--there are other options. Frogbit also floats, and tends to be slower gorwing. Water lettuce is also a choice--though mine tended to stay very small, they floated nicely and provided better cover for fish because they develop longer roots than do the duckweed.
I had placed some in my tanks and became annoyed with them after a while. Granted they served their purpose and kept algae to a minimum and provided the fish with cover/food, but it grew over the surface and would cut the light to the rest of the plants. It also tended to clog the intake on the filters.
Thank you for the info, I think I might see about the other ones mentioned on here. I'm not sure what I want exactly I just know I want something that floats but I don't want something that will cover the entire tank, maybe a type of plant that gets tall and floats at the top or something, there are just so many choices and I know nothing about any of them most sites I went to did discribe them pretty good but the site I saw the duckweed at did not show a picture or discribe it just said that it is a good floater.
Thanks again,
Gin
Thanks again,
Gin
gstoffer said:
Banana plant grows a long stem with a flat leaf (like a pond lilly) which sits on the surface. They aren't hard to grow and are available at alot LFS.
http://www.aquahobby.com/garden/e_banana.php
N.
Here's a duckweed picture:
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I don't really mind the stuff. It's easy enough to scoop out, sucks up nutrients, and my fish eat (I can't even keep it with the congo tetras because they eat it like fish flakes!). However, if you want less maintenance and the ability to remove it someday, it may not be for you.
Do a google search for Lemna minor. That's its scientific name.
I don't really mind the stuff. It's easy enough to scoop out, sucks up nutrients, and my fish eat (I can't even keep it with the congo tetras because they eat it like fish flakes!). However, if you want less maintenance and the ability to remove it someday, it may not be for you.
Do a google search for Lemna minor. That's its scientific name.
If you do opt for duckweed pm me with your shipping info, I'll send you a bushel each day until you have enough 
I do really like the duckweed, but I throw it away by the pound every week to keep it from blocking all of the light in my tanks. My shrimp and snails love to cruise on the underside of it to capture food from the surface. and it does wonders for excess nutrients. I can't imagine how I would ever eliminate it from my tanks though. it literrallly seems to materialize on top of the water. I don't even know where I got the duckweed from in the first place, it just showed up one day in my tanks.
Dave
I do really like the duckweed, but I throw it away by the pound every week to keep it from blocking all of the light in my tanks. My shrimp and snails love to cruise on the underside of it to capture food from the surface. and it does wonders for excess nutrients. I can't imagine how I would ever eliminate it from my tanks though. it literrallly seems to materialize on top of the water. I don't even know where I got the duckweed from in the first place, it just showed up one day in my tanks.
Dave
Ok I have been looking at salvinia and azolla too (those are the other 2 floaters at the site I found). I really do like the picture of the duckweed though, my tank is only 30/g would that be to much for my tank? So any suggestions on what would be the best to go with? I did look at the banana plant and I liked it too but the site I found it at say's it need high lighting, my lighting would be considered more low/mid I would say.
Hey Dave if I do go with the duckweed and you are serious (not to sound dumb or anythng) how do I "pm" you?
Thank you everyone!!!
Gin
Hey Dave if I do go with the duckweed and you are serious (not to sound dumb or anythng) how do I "pm" you?
Thank you everyone!!!
Gin
Left click on my user name, you'll get a screen with several options, one of which is"send a private message to daveedka" Then watch your private messages box for a reply.
Dave
Personally, I hate duckweed. Okay, that's a little strong, I dislike it. I've had it in my tank and it covered the surface too quickly for my liking. I do have Salvinia auriculata (eared water moss) which looks similar to duckweed, but is bigger and more firm, so it's a little easier to remove. It also has longer 'roots', which I figure is a good thing.