jvision Posted August 17, 2008 Report Share Posted August 17, 2008 OK, so I am SICK of this stuff! It takes 3 days for it to go from covering less than 5% of my 135gal tank surface to over 80% - I need something that will eat it all b/c I just can't get it myself. This is going to be a short-term solution, so I'm thinking of 'borrowing' a helper if I can, but here are my criteria: relatively peaceful - I don't have any really wimpy fish, but the fish I have are quite important to me. won't eat other plants - I do want to keep all other plants other than the duckweed. Thoughts on helpers: molly - they do prefer a bit of salt in their water, which they'd get none of in my tank Ameca splendens - can be a bit pushy... not really worried, but don't want them picking on my Farlowella American Flag fish - I haven't seen these killies around in YEARS! Anything else? Also, if you'd like to lend a good duckweed muncher to me, that'd be great. Or, I am totally open to trades or purchasing them outright. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvision Posted August 17, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 17, 2008 One other solution that I have thought about is choking out the duckweed with something bigger that is easier to remove. I've done that many times in the past using Salvinia; but, I'd prefer to keep the surface uncovered if possilbe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baos Posted August 17, 2008 Report Share Posted August 17, 2008 When I had this problem I used a 10g topfin filter. it sucks all the duckweed inside and after about 3 days you don't have much left. After 2 weeks remove the filter and be duckweed free. fyi I used this filter on a 30g aquarium Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
werner Posted August 17, 2008 Report Share Posted August 17, 2008 I successfully eradicated my duckweed with a really nasty cyanobacteria (blue green algae) outbreak... :smokey: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gobies et al Posted August 17, 2008 Report Share Posted August 17, 2008 What comes to mind is goldfish or small koi for short term. The duckweed would probably keep them occupied and maybe away from other delectables. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slough Shark Posted August 18, 2008 Report Share Posted August 18, 2008 I think the molly is the best candidate. They don't NEED salt, they've been bred in freshwater for countless years, so I don't belive it is a requirement by any means. Good luck getting rid of this stupid stuff! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvision Posted August 18, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 18, 2008 I don't think I'll go with the filter idea b/c it'll gas-off too much CO2, and I have had my share of BGA so I'm not too keen on that idea. I don't have the time to put a goldfish/koi in for the 20 min or so it'd take them to polish off the duckweed... there'd be not much left of my lotus after that! I guess I'm leaning toward a mollie. Now, here's the question: black or sailfin? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vallisneria Posted August 18, 2008 Report Share Posted August 18, 2008 I killed a rubbermaid full of duckweed by accidentally using too much flourish excel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvision Posted August 18, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 18, 2008 Excel, you say.... Hmmm.... I don't htink the Val will minds too much :shifty: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvision Posted August 18, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 18, 2008 Dang-it! I only have a 1/2 bottle lying in the fishroom. Don't think that will cut it for a 135. Val, can I borrow one of your Ps. acei? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bottomdweller_fan Posted August 19, 2008 Report Share Posted August 19, 2008 American Flag fish - I haven't seen these killies around in YEARS! I saw some American flag fish at the Londonderry PJ's recently, you could try there to see if they still have them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parachromis1 Posted August 20, 2008 Report Share Posted August 20, 2008 Not to hijack Jason, but where can I get duckweed? And ps I would use a regular mollie over sailfins, sailfins lip everything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hybrid Posted August 20, 2008 Report Share Posted August 20, 2008 .............MILLCREEK RAVINE.... Not to hijack Jason, but where can I get duckweed?And ps I would use a regular mollie over sailfins, sailfins lip everything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvision Posted August 20, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 20, 2008 Well, when I did my weekly WC teh other day, I took out almost all of the DW, then I upped the CO2 a bit b/c some beard algae was starting to creep up on some of the older Val leaves. I also added a mod to my FX5 that keeps the flow up a bit more; and, the DW hasn't come back as bad as it has. I may still look to borrow a mollie to get rid of the last bit. Quinn, you can find it just about anywhere, like hybrid says; but, if you're looking for some from a hobbyist, just ask around. Who knows, I may have a whole schwack for you in a week or so... I hope not! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvision Posted August 26, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 26, 2008 Mission Accomplished! So it seems one good way to get rid of DW is to increase CO2 (just over 3 bubbles/sec) and flow. Not only has it not grown, but there now seems to be no sign of it at all!!! :thumbs: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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