Vallisneria Posted May 7, 2007 Report Share Posted May 7, 2007 I was wondering if duckweed would grow ok in a rubbermaid container with a screw in flourescent bulb for light but no filter and no heater. I'd also fertilize and maybe add flourish excel I want to grow some as a food for my africans(they just love it!) but dont' really have a tank to grow it in, nor do I really want to start growing it mixed into my planted tanks. So i figured maybe a bucket would work. Any thoughts or suggestions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Qattarra Posted May 7, 2007 Report Share Posted May 7, 2007 How about putting that bucket outside with a small goldfish or two? Let the sun do it's thing? Just a thought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vallisneria Posted May 7, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 7, 2007 Well I thought about putting it outside but its still a bit cold for that. So untill it starts getting more sunny and warm I thought i'd get started in the house. I know duckweed is prectically indestructable and that sticking it in a bucket won't kill it. But I'm looking for more of a way to get it to grow fast so that I'll be able to feed it on a regular basis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arixonbarnes Posted May 7, 2007 Report Share Posted May 7, 2007 If you put it in a container with some water from your fish tanks (old water from your water change) it will have all the nutrients it needs and should grow well. As a matter of fact the shallower the container and wider the better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvision Posted May 7, 2007 Report Share Posted May 7, 2007 I grew it by the bucket full by just floating it in a rubbermaid by a window. I was just holding it for an upcoming auction and ended up bringing way more than I thought! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
werner Posted May 7, 2007 Report Share Posted May 7, 2007 Well I thought about putting it outside but its still a bit cold for that. Apparently it's hardy to zone 3, so it should be fine outside now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vallisneria Posted May 7, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 7, 2007 Wow, thanks for all the quick replies. So far I put it in a little rubbermaid with a 15w Screw CF bulb. Once it starts to grow I'll experiment with what way works best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corrosionjerry Posted May 7, 2007 Report Share Posted May 7, 2007 What Africans are you feeding that stuff to degrassi? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vallisneria Posted May 7, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 7, 2007 Acei, Yellow labs, pheno, and red empress all eat it but my Acei are the ones that go crazy when I toss some in there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corrosionjerry Posted May 9, 2007 Report Share Posted May 9, 2007 Do they eat enough of it to keep it under control... or do they gobble it all up? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vallisneria Posted May 9, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 9, 2007 Well I've only had a bit of it growing on another tank. When it gets a bit thick in that tank I scoop a bit of it out and add it to the african tank. They eat it all up right away. Thats why I want to grow it in a bucket. That way it can grow without being eaten and i'll have a constant supply for feeding. I also won't have to worry about growing it in a tank and having it get out of control. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corrosionjerry Posted May 9, 2007 Report Share Posted May 9, 2007 I agree about the part about letting it grow in a tank as it is bothersome! I finally got rid of most of what I had groing but if you dont get every last little bit it keeps coming back although at pace that easy to keep up to. I am tempted to let it grow out a little more and try feeding it to some of my Africans. I wonder if the green in their diet is good for them... anyone know? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Qattarra Posted May 9, 2007 Report Share Posted May 9, 2007 From what I've read , most africans are algea grazers, so they need the green in their diet. Sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corrosionjerry Posted May 9, 2007 Report Share Posted May 9, 2007 I would agree. However how about the Africans that live in the deeper levels like the Haps... Is duck weed native to Africa, Or is it native to North Amarica ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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