Introducing Some Java Moss To The Tank

[gearhead65]

Just received my small shipment of Java Moss. Right now its soaking in a carafe with some tank water. I haven't introduced it into my tank yet since I want to be sure it's free of parasites, etc. Anything I should do? I read somewhere to soak it for 3 minutes in a 1:20 solution of bleach and water. Is this right?

 

[OldMan47]

I have found that java moss is a plant that can survive and thrive with little or no specific light supply. My own experience with it, as a livebearer fanatic keeper, is that java moss thrives even when I use it in a tank that gets only North facing exposure and the tank has no supplemental lighting. I actually had a clump of java moss that I used in an emergency situation in a fish room with only a northern exposure to sunlight that not only survived but thrived in a tank with no supplemental lighting. That stuff was great for a tank that needed to provide temporary housing for livebearers. It also provided me a source of algae-free cover for my other tanks since it kept right on growing in those conditions.

 

[gearhead65]

So should I do the bleach method?

 

[mark4785]

So should I do the bleach method?

I would stay clear of bleach and use something that is more often used to disinfect pond equipment. I would advice you use Interpet Pond Disinfectant, found here.

Bleach will disinfect things but it may be a bit too strong on an aquatic plant. To ensure you kill off parasites, viruses and fungi use a pond product specifically formulated for removal of such pathogens.