How Do You Control Duckweed in a Pond?

!: How Do You Control Duckweed in a Pond?

Duckweed is a tiny floating aquatic plant with many uses in the Pond Industry. Duckweed is extremely fast growing, and can double its population in just a few days under ideal circumstances. Duckweed is used as nutrient control in larger aquaculture applications. The fast growing plant utilizes excess nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, thereby creating a healthier environment for the livestock. They are also a high protein plant, and make an excellent supplemental diet for aquacultures species such as Tilapia and Grass Carp. Duckweed also has a place in the Aquarium industry. They provide shelter for timid species, and even provide a breeding medium for some species. For all these benefits, this small plant species can also quickly become a nuisance to pond owners. It can overtake a small pond in a matter of weeks, or sometimes, days. Duckweed blooms can deplete the pond of oxygen, resulting in stressful conditions for the livestock. Although propagating can be fairly easy, eradicating a population can be quite difficult.

There are three basic removal methods; Mechanical, Chemical, and Biological. Although each has its advantages and disadvantages, the style of each pond will dictate the proper method to be utilized. The most common approach is Mechanical removal. The most common approach is to simply net the excess plant from the pond. While this may be effective in smaller ponds, it is often tedious or impossible in larger bodies of water. Surface skimming can be a very effective way to remove excess plants. This involves building a surface skimmer as the intake for the filtration system. The duckweed will flow into the skimmer, preventing an epidemic. The common downside is the duckweed will consistently clog the skimmer. If cleaned regularly, surface skimmers are very efficient in small to medium sized ponds.

Chemical removal can be very effective, but can also contribute to further issues. Herbicides used to control live plants can be very detrimental to a living ecosystem, and should be used very sparingly in any natural living environment. In addition to controlling duckweed, these chemicals can also damage more desirable ornamental plants, and will badly damage the biological filtration system. This can lead to nuisance algae or even livestock death.

Biological control can be the safest and easiest to deploy. Grass Carp and Tilapia are two popular choices for duckweed control. Tilapia in particular are often cultured with duckweed as a food source. While these fish may suffice for long-term control, other measures may have to be tried in addition to this. Natural control is often too slow to control overgrown populations, but may very well be able to maintain low levels once the duckweed is under control.

Small to medium ponds tend to fare very well with a combination of surface skimming and biological control, while larger bodies of water may require a more complicated approach. In the end, Duckweed, like all other pests should be controlled early. Once an epidemic population is established, it can be very difficult, and very time consuming, to defeat.