Cleaning Plants

[jeff_hopkinson]

Hi, although i have a problem with black hair algae, how do you clean and disinfect plants before putting them in the tank, i heard that you are supposed to clean your plants when you get them.

 

[AndyTaylor]

Jeff, there are chemicals that your LFS should have that will do the job or you can use a mild saline solution which is the route i took.... having said that, i have loads of snails now so i'm not sure how effective that method is! Someone here should be able to recommend a chem. based on experience...

Andy

 

[jimbooo]

bleach dip

prepare a 1:16 solution of bleach and water and a bowl of water with 4/5 x overdose of dechlorinator

place the plants in the bleach solution and leave for 2/3 mins then plunge into the heavy dechlorinated water.

rince a few times and repeat the dechlorinator bit just to be safe.

result = all algae and snail eggs dead. the plant will be uneffected as long as you dont overdo the dip. 3 mins max.

edit: oh, make sure you use pure bleach not anything with other stuff in it.