Purchasing some plants from "Modern Aquarium" and this is their recommended process:
1. As soon as possible after their arrival, gently remove the plants from the packaging and place them in a bowl with lukewarm tap water.
2. Inspect the plants for any unwanted hitchhikers such as snails. Make sure to inspect the stem, roots and under the leaves.
3. Trim any broken or damaged leaves and overly lengthy or bound roots.
4. Even if the plants look clean, perform a "bleach dip", while wearing gloves;
a. Mix 1 part unscented bleach to 19 parts water. This translates to 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of bleach into 1 gallon (3.8 L) of water.
b. Place the plants in the solution and soak them for 2 minutes.
c. Remove the soaked plants and place them in a second bowl with clean tap water, triple-dose a de-chlorinating solution like Seachem Prime Water Conditioner and allow the plants to soak in that for 10 minutes.
d. After 10 minutes you can rinse your plants under running tap water and place them in your tank.
I've never done this before and was wondering how others treat newly arriving plants. I also ordered an Anubias that is attached to driftwood and was concerned that the diluted bleach solution might stay in the driftwood??? Also the bleach I have on hand reads concentrated.
1. As soon as possible after their arrival, gently remove the plants from the packaging and place them in a bowl with lukewarm tap water.
2. Inspect the plants for any unwanted hitchhikers such as snails. Make sure to inspect the stem, roots and under the leaves.
3. Trim any broken or damaged leaves and overly lengthy or bound roots.
4. Even if the plants look clean, perform a "bleach dip", while wearing gloves;
a. Mix 1 part unscented bleach to 19 parts water. This translates to 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of bleach into 1 gallon (3.8 L) of water.
b. Place the plants in the solution and soak them for 2 minutes.
c. Remove the soaked plants and place them in a second bowl with clean tap water, triple-dose a de-chlorinating solution like Seachem Prime Water Conditioner and allow the plants to soak in that for 10 minutes.
d. After 10 minutes you can rinse your plants under running tap water and place them in your tank.
I've never done this before and was wondering how others treat newly arriving plants. I also ordered an Anubias that is attached to driftwood and was concerned that the diluted bleach solution might stay in the driftwood??? Also the bleach I have on hand reads concentrated.
