Duckweed

[Tindy]

My problem is my local shop does not sell duckweed but there is a lot in my local park. I have asked the grounds keeper if I could have some from the pond and he said he would be most grateful if I would take some. The thing is what do I have to take off? The pond is very big and very deep so is the plant rooted and will I have to uproot some and take it or can I just chop some stem off the top and use it. If so will I have to put it in my gravel and let it grow or just put it on the top of the water surface and let it grow?

 

[SirMinion]

If it's rooted, then it ain't duckweed.

Duckweed is tiny floating plants that quickly for a mat over the surface of the water. You do not want it in your tank.

 

[Bangin]

I agree with SirMinion. You do not want to put duckweed in your tank. You'll never be able to rid yourself of it.

Edited to add: They don't call it duckweed for no reason. It's illegal in many U.S. states because of its ability to quickly multiply.

 

[Tindy]

Thanks you guys for that. Just wondering then can you suggest a good floating plant, as I want one to breed Siamese fighter fish

 

[Opcn]

I dont see any problem with duckweed in a tank. It removes nutrients from the water and provides the shaded conditions needed for such plants as Java moss and Madagascar Lace. and its easy to remove because it all floats its the perfect plant for those who want the benefits of live plants w/o the hassle

 

[Silly me]

duckweed is one of the get algae controlling plants I know..

Also duckweed outcompete any other plant for nutrients, and since it floating it doesnt need CO2 in the water the get and high growth rate.

in low lights its a small leaved plant with small hairs, but in a hight light tank they become a bigger more leaf plant with long roots. I have some in my betta tank and outside in the pond, and they dont look similar at all..

 

[jacblades]

i have some duckweed in a tank all by itself and the "roots" have grown extremely long-almost 2 inches on some of the plants. when it is in my tanks, the roots are very short because the fish snack on them. goldfish especially enjoy duckweed.

if the pond has questionable water or surrounding areas, i would not take it. many people sell it onli9ne.

 

[sinistral]

Thanks you guys for that. Just wondering then can you suggest a good floating plant, as I want one to breed Siamese fighter fish

I know I've been recommending hornwort for everything, so here I go again. Hornwort is a very nice floating plant that looks like ambulia (limnophila sessiflora) or cambomba. It doesn't form roots but you can strip the stem of leaves and push it into the substrate. Does just the same floating though.

 

[Opcn]

While duckweed is on the surface I dont think it has any stomata on the tops of its leaves so if you have good water circulation it doesnt have a CO2 advantage. I just collected some wild Duckweed from the Trail and one of them (leaves are about half the size of a pencil eraser) had a root that was 6 inches long I added a little bit to my tank and about two dozen of them to mywinter indoor pondfish thingy (I know I'm a marvel with names aren't I) Also the size of the leaves depends mostly on the species IMO. Based on the fact that thes large leaved ones were colocted from the deep shade and the small leaved ones (that my grandmothers guppies ate ) were collected from almost full sunlight.