Search results for query: duckweed index

Hi all, It isn't a bad attempt by chat-GPT I'd say it has found the <"coffee among the froth">. cheers Darrel

...say how you prepared the tank? Have a look at <"The nitrifying microbes in aquariums and cycling"> . Have a look at <"What is the “Duckweed Index” all about?"> and <"Using stem plants as a filtering aid at Start Up!">. Plants (Plant / microbe biofiltration) are much, much more efficient...

...it described it well but it may have been just playing a guessing game (hallucinating): As a reference point, I also tried the Duckweed index. I guess it needs some improvements (or data updates) to recognize the real things. It also says that I could use the English term "it hit the...

What is the future for the Duckweed Index II, is it a mix of floaters? You might remember @castle's Amazon Frogbit (Limnobium laevigatum) photo from <"earlier in the thread">. The other plant in the photo is Red-root Floater (Phyllanthus fluitans) - <"Phyllanthus fluitans - Tropica Aquarium...

What is the future for the Duckweed Index? The Duckweed Index has been developed over ~15 years, and while I don't expect any major changes, but there will be <"continuing tweaks to it">. The Duckweed Index has definitely gained a bit of traction, particularly among <"German Apistogramma...

Fertilisers and the Duckweed Index. Substrate In nutrient terms rooted plants have access to the substrate, and that is a world of <"unknown unknowns">, with a huge number of <"potential variables">. Nutrients that aren't available in the water column <"may be plant available"> within the...

...nitrogen is mobile within the plant and nitrogen deficiencies would cause pale green older leaves. Have a look at <"What is the “Duckweed Index” all about?">. But it isn't comprehensive. You need a <"complete fertiliser">, one that contains all the nutrients required for plant growth. The...

Hi, Thank you for your responds. Micro what i have and what I have been using a bit is Seachem Flourish Comprehensive. I still have it... but when I add it ... Green dust appering on the glass.. Now I am confused because there is a lot information about deficiencies and one sources saying...

...of iron (Fe), that is what has caused the white (chlorotic) new growth in the picture below. Have a look at <"What is the “Duckweed Index” all about?"> and the subsequent posts. It will take a while after plant available iron is present before growth improves. Which fertiliser are you...

...all, Nitrate test kits are often a source of "interesting results", there is an explanation of why here: <"Few problems with my little slice of nature!">. It was actually the <"issues with nitrate (NO3-) testing"> that initially led me to the development of the <"Duckweed Index">. cheers...

...We think it is probably <"https://www.gardenworld.co.uk/resources/uploads/576/products/192/Sequestered%20Iron%20Plant%20Tonic%204x20g%2015019v1.pdf"> rebranded. I'll move onto fertilisers for the aquarium generally (and the Duckweed Index specifically) in the next section. cheers Darrel

...of the <"lag phase">, between adding plant available iron (Fe) and <"new healthy leaves growing">, I now use a tweak to the original Duckweed Index concept, where I add iron (Fe) (as FeEDTA, & magnesium (Mg)*,) on a regular basis. I've called this approach the <"Hybrid Duckweed Index">...

...complete thread (by @KirstyF) at <"Plant deficiencies and the Fe Experiment">, but I'll add a summary in terms of how it effects the "Duckweed Index". Quick guide. First the most important one, while plants are iron deficient the <"Duckweed Index" doesn't work">* "to indicate nutrient...

When the Duckweed Index breaks down. So far it has all been <"good news">, but there are situations where the "Duckweed Index" (and in fact plants generally) don't work, either as a mechanism for improving water quality (they need to be in active growth to do this), or as a visual guide to...

...and requires its own thread. Actually when I originally thought about <"plant filtration">, even <"before the development"> of the "Duckweed Index", I didn't have a <"floating plant in mind">, I had an emergent one. An emergent plant is one that would be rooted into the tank substrate, but...

The "aerial advantage" and why it is so important. If we go back to the figure in the <"previous post"> we can see that plants are overwhelmingly constructed from structural carbohydrates, produced from CO2, water and light via photosynthesis. <"File photosynthesis equation.svg - Wikimedia...

We've just talked about nitrogen (N), but what about the other mineral nutrients? Plants require <"all fourteen of the essential mineral nutrients for growth">, just in widely varying amounts. From <"https://wiki.groenkennisnet.nl/space/CPC/11993210/3.1.+Minerals+in+plants:+a+brief+overview">...

...you still needs to make up standards etc. It was actually the <"issues with nitrate (NO3-) testing"> that initially led me to the <"Duckweed Index">. There is a much easier way of estimating the nitrate content of your tank water and that is to observe the growth rate and colour of a non-CO2...

...(LCC) is a visual guide of when to add nitrogenous (N) fertilisers, originally developed for Rice (Oryza sativa) farmers. In the "Duckweed Index" we have just substituted Amazon Frogbit (Limnobium laevigatum) for Rice, but the approach is the same, we can use the leaf colour to assess plant...

What is the “Duckweed Index” all about? I’ve never written a proper “Duckweed Index” article, but, prompted by @GHNelson, I’ve written a short introduction. I’ll break it up into a series of posts (of which this is the first), mainly to avoid author (and reader) fatigue. There is a table of...

Hi all, That is the main thing. Personally I don't add a <"set amount of fertiliser">, I use the plants as a guide of <"how much to add">. Now you've bought it I'd definitely use it. I've been using <"Solufeed 2:1:4 and Solufeed Sodium Free TEC or Solufeed Coir TEC Combination">, but it...

Hi all, We like photos. Have a look at @jameson_uk 's Frogbit threads <"Iron deficiency and which chelator do I need?"> from the link. What @_Maq_ & @AlecF say. The problem is that it really difficult to get accurate parameter for many of the nutrients we are interested in. Water companies...

...1) your tap water with unknown content of various minerals, 2) your 'Walstad' soil, again, unknown source of nutrients. @dw1305's Duckweed index is a good method, I think. Be it duckweed or any other species, you'll have to observe your plants and seek signs of deficiency. Again, if you...

I've got some red root floaters mixed in with my frogbit, maybe I can share some photos! What I'm wondering is how do I know my plants have all the 14 essential nutrients? How do I know if they don't have enough nitrogen? And what are my options are if they don't?

Hi all, You can combine any <"dosing regime"> with the <"Duckweed Index">. Although they are <"very different in their methodologies"> both <"Estimative"> & <"Duckweed"> Indices were "designed" to do away with the requirement for water testing. I use <"lean dosing">, but if you look at...

...effect <"Black leaf edges - cause?">. Have a look at @Parablennius <"Floaters"> thread. I choose a floating plant for the <"Duckweed Index"> - <"Echinodorus bleheri - slow growth">, because "floating" takes CO2 availability out of the equation. I stopped using Lesser Duckweed (Lemna...

Day 42 : Having read through the UKAPS thread on shops in the South East, I decided to make a pilgrimage to the Aquatic Design Centre in Balham. Not for new livestock at this stage, but for something short to plant at the front of the tank. Wow, what a store! Great selection of plants and...

Hi all, I agree with @_Maq_ , we just don't know what is happening in the substrate, other than as that substrate matures, and the plant roots ramify through it, it is going to provide a <"huge range of different environments">. Dr Stephen Tanner's article is well worth a read <"Aquarium...

...If it is iron deficiency? It will take a while <"before things improve">. One of the reasons for using a floating plant in the <"Duckweed Index"> was that it did have the <"aerial advantage"> of access to atmospheric gases, but didn't have access to the substrate, and any reduced compounds it...

...In some ways that is why I like <"plenty of oxygen">, <"venturi">, <"seasoned tank time">, <"conductivity measurement">, the <"duckweed index">, <"water column dosing"> (rather than <"root tabs etc">) and a <"sand substrate">, basically all the cards are on the table. All tanks are going to...

...chunky in high light (with enough nutrients). Access to atmospheric gases was one of the reasons for using a floating plant in the <"Duckweed Index"> - <"The scientific background to the "Leaf Colour Chart"">. The only reason I don't recommend Salvinia spp. for the <"Duckweed Index"> is...

...offer some pointers? A chunky plant, <"rooted in the substrate">, <"but with emergent leaves">, would have been even better for the <"Duckweed Index"> than <"a floating plant">, but they just aren't suitable for every aquarium. Same applies to trickle filters, <"optimal but noisy">. It...

...<"my recommendation">, although <"I maybe both biased"> and use this forum as a <"form of therapy">. That was partially why the <"Duckweed Index was developed">, all the scary (interesting) bits are hidden under the hood (bonnet). That is also why I point people towards the <"Seasoned Tank...

Hi all, I'm (<"mainly">) a sand user as well. In my case I'm less worried about <"unknown unknowns">, but I want to keep <"nutrients fairly low"> and I don't tend to do anything with the tanks (other than <"extremely limited maintenance">) once they are set-up. I'm <"not after optimal...

...the level of mineral nutrients always exceeded the plants minimum requirement and growth was dependent upon CO2 level and PAR. The Duckweed Index idea is that you use the growth and leaf colour of a floating plant (originally "Lesser Duckweed" (Lemna minor) & subsequently "Amazon Frogbit"...

Thanks for your input, I really hope that they are recovering. I am not sure if I understand the hybrid index, though. I followed the links, but still, I am unsure. Do you mean that you overload the Fe/Mg dosing, so you should not worry about it, and any problems would reflect the lack of other...

...but are now recovering. I've seen this reticulated, net like, chlorosis a lot in my own tanks, and it was the major reason that I've gone to using a <"hybrid Duckweed Index">. You can see it in <"Frogbit taken a turn"> and also the recovery after <"a change in chelator">. cheers Darrel

Hi all, Certainly does. Which leaves? Have a look at <"Duckweed Index says Nitrogen please?"> and <"Should i start to fertilize?">. cheers Darrel

Hi all, I've never seen one for sale, it was designed for Rice (Oryza sativa) <"Leaf Color Chart - IRRI Rice Knowledge Bank">, but there might be something similar for other cereals. <"http://www.knowledgebank.irri.org/qualityseedcourse4women/images/stories/module...

...to 1/2 EI Levels two weeks ago, with the ultimate aim of hitting 1/4 EI levels and adding some root tabs as required. My Frogbit (Duckweed Index) started to lose a bit of colour, but I thought this was just the plants adjusting to lower EI dosing levels. I then noticed the shrimp started to...

Thanks 👍 Yes I have some plants, cryptocoryne can survive , some even do well, they are damaged, but not totally devoured, i do have a floating plant which survives, i have the name somewhere, i will post it later Duckweed is pretty much instantly devoured, like sweets to children

...Aquarium">. I have (tongue-in-cheek) thought about <"monetising some options"> (links below). I think the bird has flown with the <"Duckweed Index">, but "Secret Ingredient Soup" might still work. <"NA Style ADA 60P">. <"Correspondence with Dr Ryan Newton - School of Freshwater Sciences...

...into tank water can differ">, and that is <"really the important bit">. Possibly, but probably not. That was the rationale for the <"Duckweed Index">, a floating plant would act as both nutrient sponge and nutrient test kit. You don't add nutrients until your "Duckweed" tells you to...

Most definitely! As I have pointed out: So far, the environment I have been keeping my floaters in is less than ideal. As a result, after my last post, I have been giving serious consideration to the topic and would like to make them my secondary plant. [My mosses being the primary.] Towards...

Hi all, Water Lettuce (Pistia stratiotes) would definitely be my <"floater of choice">, if it was "leaf green" rather <"than silvery">. I need a <"green plant for the Duckweed Index to work">, but I still have Pistia in all the tanks, partially because <"of its great roots">. cheers Darrel

The UKAPS Constitution: Article One: @dw1305 invented the Duckweed Index. Article Two: If he didn't, see Article One.

...root development, <"leaf size and colour"> are my main metrics, mainly because a quick look (<"or photo">) is all that you need. The "Duckweed Index" is honestly is the <"quickest and easiest test kit">. From <"Limnobium laevigatum - Tropica Aquarium Plants">. Limnobium isn't actually...

...will be happier testing the water, personally I'm happy to create <"robust, stable planted tanks"> with extensive <"plant / microbe"> biofiltration. What @Wookii says. I use the <"Duckweed Index"> as my indication of when to feed, others <"will add nutrients"> on a regular basis. cheers...

...plastic growth response to nutrients">, everything from <"triffid"> to <"running on petrol fumes">. I'm actually using a <"hybrid Duckweed Index"> now, where I'm adding iron (FeEDTA) on a regular basis, partially because <"you get a lag phase"> before new growth appears, when you can't judge...

While I haven't been able to implement the use of the duckweed index yet, my understanding is that it will be a trial and error approach, iterating and refining until you reach a new equilibrium where everything works out. If you want to reduce ferts expenses, you would implement a new leaner...

...and frequency instructions on the bottle. I must admit that I have not a single idea of how chemistry works but I want to try out the duckweed index to reduce ferts expenses so I purchased some Limnobium to try out duckweed index. As far as I understand and if I’m not wrong, Duckweed index is...

H all, They look <"pretty good">, I'm guessing that you are supplying all the mineral nutrient requirement of your plants and are at @Parablennius's "sweet spot" - <"Floaters"> cheers Darrel

It has been a while since my last update on tanks, so here it goes. In the smaller tank, the last time, I was getting algae on the dwarf hairgrass, which I attributed to the changed dosing and lack of good circulation on the right side of the aquarium. I decided to dim the light and install a...

...<"agree with that">. I honestly believe that <"the Snail shell index"> is the way forward for low tech keepers. A bit like the <"Duckweed Index"> (using Amazon Frogbit (Limnobium laevigatum)) you can use it across a whole range of water hardness. Can't keep any snails alive with their...

Hi all, Others may disagree, but I don't think it is really a suitable long term set-up for Hill-stream Loaches. If I was going to keep them (and <"I have thought"> about <"Sewellia lineolata">), I would only do it in a dedicated setup - <"Hillstream Loaches - The Specialists at Life In The...

Thanks, I'm looking forward to getting started, I think I've probably been under dosing my tank at times due to the cost. 500ml bottle of tropica was setting me back £20

...water. We have a thread <"Solufeed 2:1:4 and Solufeed Sodium Free TEC Combination">. Personally I use Solufeed 2 : 1 : 4 and the <"Duckweed Index">, I'm <"pretty slap-dash with it">, but most members will make up a stock solution that supplies 10 ppm NO3 etc. or use <"dry dosing with the...

Hi all, I do, but I have ~2/3 coverage in the summer, but in the winter (when there is <"less ambient light">) I thin them down to 1/2 to a 1/3. The <"bottoms of all my tanks"> are dark and gloomy places, summer or winter. I just let the plant mass grow until it has attenuated <"all the...

...as stopped melting but doesn't grow at all. And the unknown species that you could maybe help me identify. For those using the Duckweed Index, I want to had that i have a lot of emersed and floating plant growing which show no sign of deficiency. I know pinhole sometimes mean K...

...nutrient related since I'm dosing half EI which is a lot for a low tech and my frogbit doesn't show any nutrient deficiency. Using the Duckweed Index I feel like I'm good in term of nutrient. I'm leaning more towards a CO2/flow/light issue, but I will make a thread in the Plant help section...

I'll up-vote that one! It's not that duckweed is too bad if you keep it by itself, but when you mix it with frogbit or other floating plants it gets really problematic (these are older pictures): Removing duckweed is now an integral part of my maintenance routine... I like to joke around and...

Livestock updates on this tank, I never thought I’d see the day! Looking very good mate, this will be a cracker once it settles down. Have you checked with pier aquatics? I’m sure they have otocinclus cocama in stock at the moment. Cheers

Livestock update . . . Just remembered I’ve not added any update on the livestock additions so far - the most exciting bit! So a few weeks ago I added a group of 40 Tangerine Tigers. They were obviously lost in this tank size, and I didn’t see any of them for about a week and feared the...

Hi all, I know <"it would make sense">, but I'd already started calling it the <"Duckweed Index"> before I changed over from Lesser Duckweed (Lemna minor) to Amazon Frogbit (Limnobium laevigatum). I think, even though I'd written about the technique before 2008, that I only started calling it...

+1 I second the motion - I still shudder every time I read the word Duckweed - it managed to get in my tank about a year ago somehow, and still haven't managed to get rid of it.

Just keep in mind @The.WishMaster , the index is named after the duckweed, but the frogbit is the most common plant to use, as its easier to keep under control 😊 I still think it should be renamed the Frogbit Index, its not too late. @dw1305 's naming has infected more people globally with...

...the good substrate and no so much longer a year or two down the line tanks. I need to add more nitrate to mine, even my duckweed looks sad. I'm surprised it's not already been mentioned, but definately search the forum for 'duckweed index' for a guide to working out when your plants need ferts.

...leaves in the middle are suspicious to me. Given the high pH, iron deficiency could be the problem here: I have read about the duckweed index here, so I took a photo from above to assess it: I am unsure about the index value in this case, but I believe it falls into the...

...are quite different otherwise in concept. The <"Estimative Index" (EI)"> relies on the mineral nutrients being non-limiting and the <"Duckweed Index"> uses the health and leaf colour of a floating plant as an indication of when nutrients are required. These were developed because there are...

Well, I've really been wanting to do amazon frogbit for this reason, I totally understand the rationale so co2 is not a factor and i can really read deficiencies. My only hesitation is about adding another maintenance task to my routine, skimming and disposing of floaters. As for iron, I believe...

Hi all, The aerial advantage was the main reason for using a floating plant for the "Duckweed Index". Once you've taken CO2 (and light) out of the equation, that only leaves the mineral nutrients. You can divide the mineral nutrients into those that are mobile within the plant (the majority)...

...inorganic carbon (C) if none of the <"mineral nutrients are deficient">. That was why <"Estimative Index"> was developed. The <"Duckweed Index"> also makes use of elevated CO2 levels, but in this case <"atmospheric, rather than added"> <"Global Monitoring Laboratory - Carbon Cycle...

Hi all, On a monitor, rather than the phone, and I think you might be right. I'm using a <"hybrid Duckweed Index"> approach now where I add a small amount of iron (Fe) and magnesium (Mg) even when the plants aren't showing obvious deficiency symptoms. Have a look at <"Plant deficiencies and...

Hi all, <"Bolbitis heudelotii">? It will pretty much <"grow in the dark">. I'd dose at 1/4 or lower or use the <"Duckweed Index">. cheers Darrel

Hi all, It has a <"number of advantages">, so Amazon Frogbit (Limnobium laevigatum) is definitely my preferred "Duckweed". I'm <"obviously biased">, but it works. The only real revision I've made since I swapped from Lesser Duckweed (Lemna minor) is that I've been using a <"hybrid version">...

Many thanks Many thanks Darrel, I do think I should give the duckweed index a good go as the more I've looked into it it makes sense. Would you say amazon frogbit is the best one to use for this?? I will stick with the tap water then and let the aquasoil do its thing for now. Many thanks Matt

...These sorts of questions were partially why I went to using the <"Duckweed Index">, it means that you don't need to try and figure out if your substrate is exhausted etc. You just watch <"the Amazon Frogbit">, and feed it when it looks a bit pale <"The scientific background to the "Leaf...

Should be fine 😊 Amazon frogbit is highly recommended for "duckweed index" purposes, as the leaf is not covered in any fine hairs like some of the other floating plants, so that makes them "easy to read" the color of :thumbup: Some more candidates: Salvinia: fuzzy hairs on the top of the...

It indeed is a sexy plant, what I love the most is it growing emerged too on damp substrates if given the change. The Wabi Kusa potential. But according to my current Azolla index that now and then thinning out is once a week. Never seen a plant grow this fast and I thought duckweed was a pain...

Amazing thank you, most of them I was already looking at so it’s great to see what they look like once they’ve started growing in.. what substrate is that youve used? I cant get over the plants, I’ve never been good at keeping plants alive but im hoping aquatic ones will be more successful!

...of it for my other tank Hornwort (floating - just crammed it in) Salvinia and frog bit to diffuse the light and because I find the duckweed index easy to understand as a beginner (its literally everywhere) Bolbitis heudelotii stuck to stuff Java fern again stuck to stuff Anubia coin also...

With regards to the plants you’ve mentioned darrel, would they be suitable for a 50l with lid for a betta? im hoping to do a soil substrate as seems the most natural and logical from a plant nutrition stand point from what I’ve managed to understand from the varied online information. like the...

Thanks for that's Darrel it's a very interesting idea and also very cheap. I see the issue would be getting the sparkling water into the tank at the same time daily 🤔🤔

...I like, at least some , of my plants to have access to atmospheric gases, but I've done this by using a <"floating plant"> for the <"Duckweed Index">. I just think a <"floating (or emergent) plant"> gives you the advantages of access to higher CO2 levels, but without the risk to your...

Hi Darrel, It would be great to have a good sticky post from you that we can refer to when discussing nutrient deficiencies and recommending the Duckweed Index. I suppose you could compile a good writeup from your numerous posts on the topic. Cheers, Michael

Hi all, I still haven't written a proper "Duckweed Index" post, but this might be the catalyst*. *Edit I have now (Dec. 2023) - <"What is the “Duckweed Index” all about?"> cheers Darrel

They could and should - Darrel (or someone else on the UKAPS team) should send them a link to the best explainer post he has written on the topic. Cheers, Michael

Tropica could reference UKAPS and the Duckweed Index

...would need to be a physical (tangible) embodiment - say if you originally would have developed the Leaf Color Chart to accompany the Duckweed index to identify nutrient deficiencies then it likely could have been patentable and trademarked. Luckily for us here on UKAPS that didn't happen as...

...I'm obviously not an <"objective viewer">. Agreed, that is usually what interests me, much more than growth rate. If people use the Duckweed Index I'm pleased, it doesn't make me any wealthier, but it definitely <"makes me happier"> and I think it gives the non-expert planted tank keeper a...

That is very nice Darrel. I am a big fan of the Duckweed index as you know. "When the nutrient level in the water decreases, it will grow much slower which makes it a great indicator of the available nutrients." In my experience (and opinion), the Duckweed index is not really about speed of...

@dw1305 You should be mentioned as the author of the Duckweed Index , hopefully they won't claim an ownership of this idea like many companies do. Hey Microsoft and Google! I'm talking about you, you greedy f.ckers.

Hi all, All right, so the title might be <"slight hyperbole">, but the <"Tropica "Amazon Frogbit" (Limnobium laevigatum) page"> says: cheers Darrel

Hi all, We have a thread <"Solufeed 2:1:4 and Solufeed Sodium Free TEC Combination">. Which I think all three of us contributed to? Personally I'm still using the <"tip & slosh method"> and <"hybrid duckweed index"> approach. cheers Darrel

...have been in the tank for a while and still aren't rooted? That would suggest that conditions aren't really that suitable for plant growth. That is partially why I like a floating plant for the <"Duckweed Index">, it takes substrate, light and CO2 availability out of the equation. cheers Darrel

...was now water from Haweswater etc. So a vigorous shake might make a difference? That was another of the <"reasons for developing"> the <"Duckweed Index">, you aren't reliant on test kits (or bacteria that you can't see), you just make your decisions <"based on what you can see">. cheers Darrel

Hi all, Access to atmospheric CO2 was the main reason for using a floating plant for the "Duckweed Index". Any green, submerged plant should show the same deficiency symptoms, but you have the <"extra confounding"> <"factors of CO2 (and light) availability">. I'm seriously considering...

@Davey For Fe DTPA you could use the ready made TNC Iron TNC IronAT | The Nutrient Company I have a 60 litre tank, and find this lasts me a long time. For FeEDDHA I bought this Iron Plus B . As it's a powder and we have small tanks, you will need to make it up into a liquid, and then dose it...

...what I will be doing now apart from how much and often I should dose the chelated iron. I'll use the solufeed as and when, based on the duckweed index. This will save me the hassle of cloning the tropica ferts. And rainwater + tap for water changes. Your expertise I highly appreciated. Dave

...and then let them warm up in the house. I use small regular volume water change, <"so it suits my routine">. I look on <"Daphnia etc"> in the water butt <"as a positive">. Personally I'd buy some <"Solufeed 2 : 1 : 4"> and just add a splash when the <"Duckweed Index"> tells me to. cheers Darrel