How to keep duckweed growing?

[32Bit_Fish]

I went to my LFS the other day and I found a tank that its water surface was covered by duckweeds.

How would I start cultivate duckweed if I want them to be part of my GF diet?

I know the fish will eat them all regardless how much duckweed I put in the tank.

Should I keep the duckweed in a separate tank and have the lights on everyday? Would this be good enough for duckweed to grow?

I have a spare 10g.

[small_ranchu]

Should I keep the duckweed in a separate tank and have the lights on everyday? Would this be good enough for duckweed to grow?

You might need some food for duckweed itself. I cultivate mine in 10 g tank and have some small fish in it to generate waste (aka food for duckweed).

[32Bit_Fish]

You might need some food for duckweed itself. I cultivate mine in 10 g tank and have some small fish in it to generate waste (aka food for duckweed).

Maybe add some liquid ferterlizer in the tank? Do they need strong light?

I think I have a 9 watt on my 10g.

[small_ranchu]

Liquid ferterlizer is complicated and I don't know which one to add though. I have 30 watts on my 10 g since it is my planted tank.

[jinyu_fan]

I keep duckweed in a 5 gallon tank that has a colony of red cherry shrimp and an oto. Every week I am scooping out about 3/4 of the duckweed (approx. 1/2 cup) to feed the goldfish. I had bought about a dozen RCS about 2 years ago and they came with java moss and some duckweed; and that colony of shrimp and duckweed had been growing nonstop ever since.

[medhrse]

I put mine in plastic child's swimming pool. It's located in area it get's full morning sun. Shade during the full afternoon heat. I keep Mesquito fish or Fry with it to fertalize. They don't eat it an keep Mesquito larve out of it. I start the process with water from one of my out side ponds for plenty of nutrient's. I usualy keep Penny wart & some types of underwater grasses to balance growth. Good Luck ! :)

[opera]

I had it in plastic tank with morning sun. It grows OK. Is it OK to have mosquito fish in the tank without running water (pump)? Will mosquito fish eats duckweed? any other thing I can put in?

[cholly1]

I went to my LFS the other day and I found a tank that its water surface was covered by duckweeds.

How would I start cultivate duckweed if I want them to be part of my GF diet?

I know the fish will eat them all regardless how much duckweed I put in the tank.

Should I keep the duckweed in a separate tank and have the lights on everyday? Would this be good enough for duckweed to grow?

I have a spare 10g.

>> I thin mine out all the time. I Have 3 Plant tanks all going that are loaded with anubias/ java fern /Moss/ Tons of duckweed. My fancies R too busy with all the spirulina/ paste food. BUT they do chow down some duckweed. watch it it starts to cover top of h20 that it shades rest of tank. I use mix ferts EOD. It grows like mad under T-8 or T-5. No need to go get the T-5s though output on std fixturs lite is fine. Goood Luck! chas )

[Virginia ranchu]

I have a 20L tank with swordtails, and the duckweed will completely cover the surface in no time. I can harvest about 50% every week.

Rob

[marlin08]

I have a 20L tank with swordtails, and the duckweed will completely cover the surface in no time. I can harvest about 50% every week.

Rob
How often and how much water change do you do? My duckweed container is about 30g and is outside, the duckweed grows but slowly. The water gets very warm and green and gets full sun. I'm wondering how rate/amount of water change affects the rate of growth.

[Virginia ranchu]

You don't want green water if you are trying to grow duckweed. You should do a complete water change and move your set up to a slightly shady location. The algae (greenwater) will use up all the nitrogen, and this will prevent the duckweed from taking off. Once the duckweed is well established, you could probably move it back to a sunny spot and it will compete well with the algae.