Search results for query: duckweed index

...being mostly slow growers, what is the best fertilizer for me to clone? APT, Tropica, Masterline or maybe EI Low? I'll look into the duckweed index for amount to dose, but which one should I base my mix on? 2. I am able to obtain Magnesium Sulphate for Mg, but for Ca and K it's easier for...

I haven't actually used them yet cause the tank is still cycling and hasn't been planted. I know it's pricey but for a 25L tank I can get around 300 days with the bottle I have, which I think is pretty decent. If it wasn't for the fact that I want to have red plants I would have just used my...

..."wrong" it <"is the cost"> and that is back to the <"World's most expensive water"> contest. This is <"Solufeed 2 : 1 : 4"> at £14 for a kilo of dry salts. In terms of how much fertiliser to add, have a look at <"What is the “Duckweed Index” all about?"> and <"subsequent posts">. cheers...

There are many misperceptions on CO2 due to the choice of unit. The atmospheric CO2 concentration is currently 422 ppm by volume. The pre industrial concentrations was 280 ppm by volume. The current atmosphere has roughly 21% O2, 79% N2 and merely 0.0422% of CO2 by volume...

...or @Andy Pierce are probably your best bet for a definitive answer. When you don't inject CO2 it is back to <"Henry' s law">, and the Duckweed Index was originally developed for low tech, before I knew that adding CO2 was a "thing". I can say definitively that low tech plants grow better...

426 ppm CO2 in air is expressed by volume. 1 to 30 ppm CO2 in water is expressed by weigh. Unit conversion from by volume to by weight is not simple. Parts Per Million (ppm) Converter. My calculation shows that 426 ppm CO2 by volume is equivalent to 826 mg /m3 or 0.826 mg/l by weight in...

Hi all, That is why I chose a floating plant for the <"Duckweed Index">, it removes one variable. Plants always have access to <"426 ppm of atmospheric CO2"> and it never runs out. cheers Darrel

Hi all, Exactly the same for me, the <"the coffee not the froth" >and that has <"cut straight to the chase"> and is also a perfect summary of the <"Duckweed Index">. cheers Darrel

...personal point of view one of the reasons I want to <"understand the chemistry"> is that it allows me to answer questions about the <"Duckweed Index">, <"fertilisers">, <"cycling and nitrification"> etc. with accuracy and without <"misleading any-one">. That is it really, <"KISS solutions">...

...way. All <"the measuring"> and <"heavy lifting"> is done by the plant / microbe biofiltration. I'm probably absurdly proud of the <"Duckweed Index">. I think it works by <"deskilling aquarium keeping">, and that is honestly a good thing, because it allows more people (including beginners) to...

Yes that would be a good idea. But it’s a balancing act between light intensity and fertz dosing. It's one you’ll get the hang of with experience. Once the tank has become established it is possible to slowly increase the photoperiod to 12 hours. For frets dosing take a look at Darrel’s Duck...

Hi all, That is one of the advantages of a fertiliser <"designed for hydroponics etc."> it has to "work", or the company that made it, and the growers who used it, would have gone out of business. Have a look at <"What is the “Duckweed Index” all about?">. cheers Darrel

Would you say now is a good time to trim the monte carlo or should I wait a couple weeks for it to grow a bit fuller? Sent from my SM-S918B using Tapatalk

...is potentially an <"order of magnitude"> more efficient than <"microbe only"> biofiltration. I actually started down the <"Duckweed Index"> route when we were doing work with <"waste water"> and it occurred to me that if you could <"use phytoremediation"> to vastly improve the water quality...

I have to do daily water changes for several months ?!. Damn I knew I should have been patient and continued the dark start Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using Tapatalk

...of fixed nitrogen, via uncontrolled release from the controlled release fertiliser. You can see plant growth, and that is why the <"Duckweed Index"> works, the plants can't lie. * You are unlikely to have 1 mg / L (ppm) nitrite (NO2-) in your tap water as the <"regulatory limit is 0.5...

Hi all, Just an unknown really, that's why I recommend a visual method like the <"Pink Tint"> and / or <"Duckweed Index">. It doesn't tell you how much plant available iron (Fe) you have, but it tells you <"you have some">, and that is actually all you need to know. Cheers Darrel

Hi all, Mainly by visual and inferential methods <"What’s everyone’s thoughts on aquarium testing kits (Newbie)">- <"What is the “Duckweed Index” all about?">. A lot of the parameters, <"that we are interested in">, are difficult to <"measure accurately">, but where <"they aren't">? I try and...

Hi all, Yes, like a cross between a health supplement business and an <"unborn child sex prediction service"> - "you get your money back if we predict the wrong sex for your baby". The commercial issue with solutions like <"live food">, <"rain water">, using your <"tap water as a...

Hi all, That is one advantage of the <"Duckweed Index">, you just need a floating plant that grows happily in your tank <"Giant duckweed - Spirodella polyrhyza"> & <"Id on floating plant">. The actual plant isn't that important, just that it has floating leaves and grows happily under your...

Hi all, That is an advantage of a dry salt straight away, you aren't paying for any added water. I'm <"proud of it"> and it works. I want people to keep planted tanks, both because I like plants (I'm a botanist by training), but also because they make fish keeping a lot easier and more...

...: I will aim for 50µs. It will take several WCs but I don't want to shock my fish. I actually have read many of your posts on the duckweed index and it seems to be the smartest method when going lowtech. I have salvinia natans wich I understand is not the best to apply this method. I will...

...accurate nitrate (NO3-) levels <"that led to the development"> (independently) of both <"Duckweed"> and Estimative Indices. The great advantage of the Duckweed Index <"What is the “Duckweed Index” all about?"> is you just have to watch the plants and keep them in (limited) growth. cheers Darrel

...so I will probably exchange at some point. Week 22ish added floating plants to try to limit light in the mid ground and for the duckweed index when I start needing to dose. BBA is a thing, particularly on the lava rock near the inlet outlet and some crypt leaf edges and more annoyingly the...

...No, not at all, a floating plant takes CO2 out of the equation, but one of the great advantages of Amazon Frogbit is that it has a <"very flexible growth response to nutrients"> and you can use the <"Duckweed Index"> with both <"lean dosing"> or <"with EI"> type nutrient levels. cheers Darrel

How does the "duckweed" index account for nitrogen developing in nutrient soil? The soil may be rich in organic matter, but the test for nitrate and other nitrogenous compounds will show 0..So this index is only suitable for keeping a plant aquarium on neutral ground (not for soil)? If the...

Hi all, Red green colour blindness does add another <"layer of complexity">. I think so, they look paler green, that could just be a <"lesser need for chlorophyll"> or it could be the start of chlorosis (below). Certainly true, judging leaf colour is definitely easier with a larger leaf...

Hi all, I think that makes perfect sense. One of the advantages of my <"original duckweed (Lemna minor)"> was that its faster growth rate allowed a quicker diagnosis of nutrient deficiency (and their subsequent recovery). As you have both old and new "duckweeds", what does your Lemna look...

There is an interesting thing about the duckweed index though that I noticed. I always had fewer problems with the frogbit in my 900L tank than in the other ones. I suspected that it might be the different lighting intensity. On the 900l tank, I have much less light than on the 120 - and 160L...

Thanks for your answer Darrel! I just measured the concentration (Fe) and it's still 0.3 ppm. In my provided fertilizer the iron is dosed separately and it's DTPA. My water is soft at 1-2 KH and 7 GH with a Ph of 7.1 dropping to 6.0 after a day of CO2. Is just somewhat higher dosing a good...

Hi all, That definitely looks to be an iron (Fe) deficiency, small, pale (chlorotic), new leaves are <"pretty diagnostic">. cheers Darrel

Hi all, Welcome to UKAPS, hopefully we can offer you good advice. Have a look at the <"Duckweed Index thread">, linked in my signature, it separates the <"important bits"> from the less important bits. Cheers Darrel

...the optimal spectral distribution team... just as I joined the lean fertilizer team after being extremely skeptical initially, or the no bio filtermedia team or the duckweed index team... (those ones didn't take much persuasion though) ... well, as long as it works! right.. :) Cheers, Michael

...category wont require much light. Some stems absolutely prefer high light... if you plan for a good coverage of floating plants (see Duckweed index) you may need to run it higher even, so it really depends. Personally, I keep my lights fairly moderate to low.... it's really one of those...

...to water">, rather than take them away. You will need to swap to <"complete fertiliser"> at some point, <"Tropical Specialised"> would do. As you have <"floating plants"> already you can use these (they aren't CO2 limited) to monitor nutrient levels via the <"Duckweed Index"> Cheers Darrel

Hi all, Perfect, I'd thin them back to 50% and then have a review (and / or thin) next week. They look pretty healthy, you could try the VIMI RRF index and see if the RRF changes colour and / or growth slows. I've found that <"Riccia fluitans"> doesn't do well for me, but give it a bit more...

...perform nitrification. Have a look at <"Correspondence with Dr Ryan Newton - School of Freshwater Sciences, University of Wisconsin—Milwaukee"> & <"Dr Timothy Hovanec's comments about Bacterial supplements">. Add some floating plants? <"What is the “Duckweed Index” all about?">. cheers...

...& @John q mention. If you did want to go down the chick grit route? You could leave out the calcium chloride (CaCl2.nH2O). The <"Duckweed Index"> was really designed for low tech plant keepers, but you can use it <"any situation">. I like lean dosing ("petrol fumes"), but others will use a...

Hello Darrel, thank you for your reply. Yes, I currently do have a CO2 system going. It's actually working since day 1 and unlike the fertilisers I have not tried to stop using it but am not excluding the possibility. I'm using Seachem Equilibrium because at the beginning of the aquarium I...

Plants can grow more than satisfactorely with half (and even less) the dose of full EI. Remember these numbers are mere guidelines and I don't know many people, if anyone in fact, using full EI nowadays. These full EI dosing levels are reminicent from the early days of when Tom Barr popularized...

...a lean dosing regime that will keep the plants going without the need for a lot of water changes (will also have a look at Darrel's Duckweed Index suggestion as I've never heard of it before). I should have perhaps mentioned that this is my first planted tank, it's just over a year old...

...add as a remineraliser, they are both the same ion. I agree with @Hanuman, it is very unlikely that you need the full EI addition, but if you did need more potassium (K) and calcium (Ca)? They will do. If you aren't adding CO2? You might be interested in the <"Duckweed Index">. cheers Darrel

Thanks for the links, lots of reading to do 👍

Frogbit will procreate very quickly if they have enough nutrients ( Duckweed index ) and as your tank matures. By that time you probably wont need the surface skimmer anyway but it wont hurt to keep it in there for the aeration. Cheers, Michael

Is this the information about our water I’m looking for? I have had plants in from as little as 2 weeks to as long as 4 months and I have seen a very, very small growth on the older plants which is why I was considering aqua soil as I want the plants and fish to thrive. I have a small amount...

...stems you might not even need to do that. And adding a floating plant such as limnobium laevigatum (see @dw1305 's What is the duckweed index? post). That will help you troubleshoot any nutrient / fertiliser issues and help get the plants growing rather than standing still (as it were)...

...get <"fairly instant greening">. I'd just ignore what you read on other forums etc <"about nitrate (NO3-)">, it is mainly <"written by people"> who don't really understand what they are talking about. Have a look at <"What is the “Duckweed Index” all about?"> and subsequent posts. cheers...

...be careful! On the plus side, the benefit of a half-full tank is I know any known jumpers will stay contained ;) Thanks to @dw1305's duckweed index, the rotala butterfly calculator and some helpful threads on Chempak sequestered iron dosing, I've started very minimal chelated iron doses...

...The<"IFC Aquarium Fertilizer Calculator"> will give you a lot more options. In terms of when to add iron? I'd use the <"What is the “Duckweed Index” all about: and why we need to talk about iron (Fe)."> and subsequent post <"We've talked about iron deficiency, but what are going to do about...

Hi all, It looks like the plants have been iron (Fe) and/or magnesium (Mg) deficient in the past and the new foliage is healthier. <"What is the “Duckweed Index” all about? - When the Duckweed Index breaks down."> cheers Darrel

Thanks Darrel I think the plants are doing ok, i would prefer an NO3 number below 20ppm I have been monitoring surface plants and am adding Mg, occasionally Mn, and Fe Some of the plants grow like weeds, my tropheus appreciate this 😂😂 I cannot grow stem plants (planted), as the plecs just dig...

...<"Basically that">, but you can reduce the amount of fixed nitrogen you add via fertilisers and water changes, just use the <"Duckweed Index"> to keep your plants in active growth. Partially why I don't worry about <"nitrate (NO3-) accumulation"> is that when you thin your plants you are...

I have been really tempted to target 15ppm. I read about diluting the drop checker solution 50/50 with RO. Long term, I would rather run a tank this way for the sake of the fish. But I don't want to add to much complexity at the start. I would be scared to skip CO2 entirely, as most of the...

Hi all, I'd stop the CO2 (or just add ~ 15 ppm?) and then you can use the <"Duckweed Index"> to keep you in the "Goldilocks Zone" - <"Low Tech Fertiliser Dosing. Whats your technique?">. Because your fertiliser addition is based on the growth of a non-CO2 limited plant, you can modify your...

Hi all, No, it isn't essential. I use 95% sand, <"but don't vacuum etc">. Partially why I chose a floating plant for the <"Duckweed Index"> was to take the complexities of what <"happens in the substrate"> out of the equation. Cheers Darrel

...the tank water. I don't use CO2 and I use a floating plant as both my nutrient sponge and nutrient level indicator <"What is the “Duckweed Index” all about?">. Because it is a floating plant, it has access to <"atmospheric CO2"> and it is never CO2 limited. You can, but it is an expensive...

...So far things seem ok apart from a bit of BBA. Very curious to know how long it will last this way, so getting some floaters for the 'duckweed index' I'm no pro, but I'd say if you want to disconnect your CO2 then do it . I think most of your plant list will be fine without. Another...

Hi all, Good idea. Have a look at: <"What is the “Duckweed Index” all about?">. Part of the <"rationale for the Duckweed Index"> was to reduce the need for water testing etc. cheers Darrel

Thank you I will have a read, your info is what led me to add Mg, I suspect that you are correct and Fe will also be required I should really make an effort to get some pictures of the plants up, the tank looks pretty ok (to me), but there is always room for improvement The only algae issues I...

H all, You need to watch out for the first signs of iron (Fe) deficiency. Have a look at "When the Duckweed Index breaks down" - <"What is the “Duckweed Index” all about?">, cheers Darrel

is that a pic of your tank @dw1305 ? #verdant

Hi all, That is why I needed a floating plant for the <"Duckweed Index"> it takes CO2 (and, nearly always, light) out of the equation. Once you've excluded them? That only leaves the mineral nutrients. If you end up with this <"C02 ISSUES">? You know that you are supplying all the nutrients...

...big eventually, but only really slowly. Over time I've got rid of all my stem plants, and I just use a floating plant <"What is the “Duckweed Index” all about?"> as my "stem" for <"nutrient reduction duties">. For <"slow growing plants"> I mainly use epiphytes, so mosses, ferns and Aroids...

...an old aquarium, Juwel Rekord 72, and other ramblings">. You don't need CO2, a lot of people don't use it. Have a look at <"Cryptocoryne Parva Carpet"> & <"What is the “Duckweed Index” all about?">, it talks about the "aerial advantage" that floating (or emergent) plants have. cheers Darrel

...so you definitely aren't alone. I'm not too bothered about flow and I use a lot of epiphytes and floating plants and the UG filter isn't a problem for these. When you have time read through <"What is the “Duckweed Index” all about?">, it should cover everything you need to know. cheers Darrel

Hi all, Unfortunately only when <"new leaves grow">. Have a look at - <"Duckweed Index says Nitrogen please?"> & <"Plant deficiencies and the Fe Experiment">. The plant can't move iron (Fe) around the plant to new tissue, or store it for a <"rainy day"> - <"Should i start to fertilize?">...

@dw1305 This duckweed index is pretty interesting stuff. I need a comfy chair and a coffee. Let's say you get the nutrients nailed, are there particular ways to maintain a marsilea crenata (minutia) carpet? Mine seems to be spreading and with new growth that looks ok, but older growth dies...

...the rescaped is cycled. Btw the holding tank is 54L with only three guppies, 2 pygmy cories and 2 amanos in it. Bioload should be minimal, you reckon? @dw1305 Most certainly. I've learnt from your duckweed index post and moved all my amazon frogbit and red root floaters to the holding tank.

Thank you for your responses and the links. I'll be sure to read them thoroughly. My degassed tank pH is 7.4 CO2 injection drops it to 6. About 3 dKH Here is the recommendation for the micros I use.. " Suggested dose is 2 ML per 10 gallons 3x per week along with 50-60% water changes One...

...substrate may also have still had some ability to soften the water, which would make iron more soluble. Have a look at <"When the Duckweed Index breaks down">, and the next two posts <"........... and why we need to talk about iron (Fe)"> & <"We've talked about iron deficiency, but what are...

Hi all, Add a <"floating plant">? It has the "aerial advantage" <"What is the “Duckweed Index” all about?"> cheers Darrel

Thanks Darrel, I did go on a bit of a rain water 'quality' improvement drive when trying to breed my corydoras eques so tds, gh and kh are all lower than normal.

...tap water every week (a bit like EI) or wait until the shells start to show some attrition and add some tap water then (a bit like the Duckweed Index). Possibly, but the plants should have more access to CO2, and that is the <"kinetically efficient form" of <"Total Inorganic Carbon"> (TIC)...

This is a description from the website in relation to the product I'm using. "Fe Hybrid is a unique preparation containing iron in two forms: Fe + 2 Fe + 3, which ensures its maximum use by plants. Iron from Fe + 2 is immediately available to plants, while iron from Fe + 3 is released more...

...says"> Which is quite entertaining (and mostly true), but also <"sadly irrelevant">. I'm using <"Solufeed 2 : 1 : 4">, via the <"Duckweed Index questions"> & <"What is the “Duckweed Index” all about?">. @Happi has written a very useful user guide to <"Solufeed fertilisers">: <"Solufeed...

I've picked up Hybrid FE plant one which is an iron fertilizer and also got a bunch of Amazon Frogbit. I'm going to move into the dry fertz once I've used up the easy life products I've purchased. Any recommendations on where to pick them up? I'm based in Ireland so EU shipping or from the UK...

Hey Darrel, I only added these a week ago from an in-vitro pot so I don't expect them to look too great just yet although I will attach a picture for you of them. There does seem to be new shoots on a few of them which looks positive atleast 🤞 Even though I know floating plants are a huge help...

...is often an issue. This is <"Friday's post">, and I'm still available for <"Tarot card readings">. Have a look at <"What is the “Duckweed Index” all about?"> and <"subsequent posts">. This is a Bacopa caroliniana showing iron deficiency (the white area) and subsequent recovery (the green...

...mineral nutrient (fertiliser) related. <"Global Monitoring Laboratory - Carbon Cycle Greenhouse Gases"> Have a look at <"What is the “Duckweed Index” all about?">, it is quite a long thread, but should cover all the bits of interest. All floating plants fulfill this same role, the major...

...it ain't broke, don't fix it">. @Tim Harrison wrote <"Soil Substrate or Dirted Tank - A How to Guide">, and I wrote <"What is the “Duckweed Index” all about?">, because we thought they would help people become more successful planted tank keepers. I don't think we are telling you to...

...degass in a cup for 24 hours then re-test) , I would add some DTPA iron every so often. A friend of mine with a low tech tank (very little water changes), finds a little bit of DTPA iron dosing helpes green up the leaves. Use the frogbit / duckweed index to see if the new leaves go a darker...

...revises"> & <"Anoxic filtration: An Interview with Kevin Novak. pecktec video link">. "TNC Complete" is fine. You can use the "Duckweed Index" to indicate when you need to feed your plants <"What is the “Duckweed Index” all about?"> You don't need it. Opinions vary, some of us use <"a 12...

Thank you so much for this informative response. I have read that about the fertilizers that are sold in shops. I do plan on switching things up once I've used up what I've already purchased. A quick question about the index. Does this apply to all floating plants? After research I really like...

Hi all, Yes, that is looking good. <"I do">, they have a multitude of advantages - <"What is the “Duckweed Index” all about?">. <"One advantage of a floating plant"> would be that they will tell you when your water column is deficient in nutrients, which will eventually happen as the...

...I'm going to tell you that you have shown us a have a really accurate and precise test kit in this photo, and that test kit is the "Duckweed Index" - <"What is the “Duckweed Index” all about?">. Also, as you have Red root Floater (Phyllanthus fluitans) the <"VIMI RRF and nitrogen"> pages may...

Hi all, That looks good. In terms of the fertiliser addition you can <"add a limited dose now">, or you can just use the <"Duckweed Index">. Cheers Darrel

...in the tank. Been a few weeks. Overall some are growing like crazy, but I'm now seeing netting on some. @dw1305 's 'What is the Duckweed Index all about?' suggests Iron deficiency. Keen to nip this in the bud. I'm currently dosing 1ppm FE, once a week, in addition to the 0.5ppm in my...

...you don't need to worry about <"ratios or trying to measure"> the amount of nutrients in the water column. I think that where the <"Duckweed Index">* has an advantage <"over all other methods"> is that you can use it for both <"lean dosing and triffid">. *Although I may not be an entirely...

Hey! Thanks for the info! What you said makes a lot of sense and I am starting to have a good understanding of everything now given your and other information and connecting everything. As far as ferts I think now I might just buy my own salts and make my own blends. The EI was an interesting...

...a dechlorinator that <"will deal with chloramine">. It is almost certainly a mineral nutrient issue, have a look at <"What is the “Duckweed Index” all about?">. It is a good video, but the Seachem product placing is really disappointing to be honest, he must have known that he was being...

...of plants he is very much talking to the converted. Eric if you are reading this, you might be interested in <"What is the “Duckweed Index” all about?"> That would be the real worry for me. I get some correspondence from people asking me about <"FatherFish"> or <"Kevin Novak">, and often...

...growth"> is that it is fish safe, you don't need to know anything else, you can <"just use your eyes">. Have a look at <"What is the “Duckweed Index” all about?">. There <"isn't any ambiguity">, I'm interested in the <"science of probability"> and my opinion is that "grown-in" is the method...

Hi all, I think so. It is very much "go big or go home" and a lot of people end up completing both options in quick order. At least if you use <"seasoned tank time"> and the <"Duckweed Index"> it takes longer to get to the "give up" option. cheers Darrel

...Ludwigia sedioides">, they need plenty of everything <"https://www.ccfg.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Conf09_PBurgess.pdf">. That was definitely a reason for wanting a floating plant for the <"Duckweed Index">, both access to CO2 and adaptation <"to high light intensity">. cheers Darrel

...What the others have said after that, it looks OK, you just need some <"more plant mass">, I like a floating plant <"What is the “Duckweed Index” all about?"> and <"Plant Profile - Ceratopteris thalictroides"> but with CO2 addition that is less important. You need to add a <"complete...

...benefit from floating plants to suck up some excess nutrients and keep an eye on the nutrient levels in the tank (look up Darrel’s duckweed index - can’t do a link on my phone). I’m only speculating as I’m quite new to this myself but I seem to be doing okay plant wise with my set up based...

...for starters: <"Help needed with 0 Nitrates Levels">? and this one for managing the tank once it is up and growing <"What is the “Duckweed Index” all about?">? It borrows from both Tom Barr (@plantbrain) and <"Diana Walstad">. The main advice I don't like for a low-tec is "don't change...

...<"complete fertiliser">. Some people will dose regularly, others will use a "just in time" philosophy. Have a look at <"What is the “Duckweed Index” all about?"> it is a long read, but worth it (I may not be an entirely unbiased commentator). In terms of fertiliser, some of us have been...

...on the plants, on keeping them healthy and building up the plant biomass. I like a floating plant, either as a sub-surface floater <"Using stem plants as a filtering aid at Start Up!"> & <"C02 ISSUES"> or as a obligate floating plant <"What is the “Duckweed Index” all about?">. cheers Darrel

...1 dGH and 1dKH. I'm not an <"Estimative Index"> user myself (I'm low tech and don't want <"optimal plant growth"> - <"What is the “Duckweed Index” all about?">), but the calculations look right. You can check on the <"Rotala Nutrient Dosing Calculator">. I've just checked with potassium...