If you are the proud owner of a water garden, then you know that the water lettuce can present a unique challenge. The water lettuce is a floating plant, and when conditions are right it can easily float into your skimmer. This can cause a lot of clogging, and it is something that you should definitely avoid. This article will provide you with some tips on how to keep your water lettuce from floating into your skimmer.
Choose the Right Plant
The first thing you need to do is make sure you select the right type of water lettuce for your water garden. There are two main types of water lettuce, and the one you select should depend on the size of your water feature. The larger varieties of water lettuce will float more easily, so if you have a smaller water feature it is best to choose the smaller varieties. This will help to keep the plant from floating away.
Check the Position of the Skimmer
The next thing you should do is check the position of the skimmer in your water feature. If the skimmer is too close to the surface of the water, then the water lettuce may easily float up and into the skimmer. To avoid this, try to position the skimmer at least a few inches below the surface of the water. This will help to keep the water lettuce away from the skimmer, and it will also help to keep the water clean.
Place Stones Around the Skimmer
You can also place stones or other heavy objects around the skimmer to help keep the water lettuce away. This will create a barrier that will help to keep the plant from floating away and into the skimmer. Make sure the stones are heavy enough to stay in place, and make sure they are not too close to the skimmer so that they don’t clog it.
Add a Weighing Agent
Another way to keep the water lettuce from floating away is to add a weighing agent to the water. This can be anything from a few pebbles to a few pieces of gravel. This will help to keep the plant from floating away, and it will also help to keep the water clean. Make sure the weighing agent is not too heavy, as this can cause the skimmer to become clogged.
Trim the Plant
If you find that the water lettuce is still floating away, then you might want to try trimming the plant. This will help to keep the plant from growing too large and becoming too buoyant. Try to trim the plant back to a manageable size, and make sure you don’t cut too much or else the plant may not survive.
Change the Water Level
Finally, you may want to try changing the water level in your water feature. If the water level is too high, then the water lettuce may be able to float away and into the skimmer. To prevent this, you can lower the water level a few inches. This will help to keep the plant from floating away, and it will also help to keep the water clean.
Conclusion
Water lettuce can be a challenge to keep in your water feature, but with a few simple steps you can keep it away from your skimmer. Make sure you select the right plant for your water feature, and make sure you position your skimmer correctly. You can also add stones or a weighing agent to help keep the plant from floating away, and you can also trim the plant back to a manageable size. Finally, you can also try changing the water level to help keep the plant from floating away. With these tips, you will be able to keep your water lettuce away from your skimmer.