"wild caught" plants for the tank

[jams.alaskan]

This is my first post on the forums that was not a reply to someone else.
I've collected a bucket full of a lovely foxtail style plants from my local stream. It grows up to 4 foot long in the stream which is quite fast flowing (so that is 4 foot laying down with only the top 4 to 6 inches exposed to light as this plant is very think and grows like shingles on a roof). I collected about 20 pieces of the plant - only the top 6 or so inches so there are no roots.
How do I clean it off for use in a tank? There are living organisms on it like small worms, snails, and who knows. It also has algea on it and I don't know how big of a worry that is... It would be an inexpensive, bunched plant for my tank if it can take the change of temp and other changes. I'm wondering how it would do with just 12 hours of light since it grows durring an Alaska summer which supplies almost 24 hours of sun...
What type of rinse would you recomend/ how would you "root" it? Any other thoughts...
The tank I would like to add it to is my 38 gal planted tank with eco-complete as a substrate... I could give it a practice run in the 20 gal that is not currently home to plants but it also doesn't have the lighting or substrate required of plants....

ALASKA

Thank you in advance for any advice or help that you can provide. These forums have been a very helpful and friendly place to learn loads.

 

[Bangin]

You can soak the plants in a separate container of alum and water. Alum can be purchased at most grocery stores in the spice section. I believe the mixture is 1 tablespoon of alum per 1 gallon of water. Try soaking the plants for 1-3 days to kill any microscopic bugs, snail eggs...etc.

 

[Silly me]

I also have a local stream close to home that I got some plant and all the gravel for the bottom of my tank that looks great.. my friend did the same and also took some plant from the stream, we both added some cheap anti bacteria meds from the LFS and soak everything for 6 hours..

I have a very nice planted tank ( none of the local plants ) just sand and gravel from the stream, but my friend has a nice 150Gallon discus tank with wood, rock, gravel and some plants.. he's still to lose a discus.