How to quarantine plants for healthy growth

[ladster]

I've just made a last-ditch attempt at having a planted tank, despite my fish's best efforts to eat and uproot them. I've ordered a biotope bundle from the shop, which is essentially a mystery box of 50 plants from a region of my choice - I went with South America. After reading the fine print, I realized I'm getting 50 single-strand plants, so it's not like I'll be getting an instant biotope look, but I've already bought them, so oh well. The random selection could still be okay for the money, but knowing my luck, I'll probably end up with 50 single leaves of some random plant species. My main concern is that I really don't want snails, and introducing 50 plants at once feels like I'm basically asking for them. Plus, there's probably worse stuff on these plants, right? Does anyone actually quarantine their plants, or is that just a myth?

[roygun_1]

I've come across vids of people dipping plants on YouTube, never actually done it myself though, King of D.I.Y has a video on the subject, might be worth a look, just search his channel.

[ladster]

I've come across vids of people dipping plants on YouTube, never actually done it myself though, King of D.I.Y has a video on the subject, might be worth a look, just search his channel.

The company reckons they've been treated but can't 100% guarantee no snails or parasites will come with, cheers for the vid suggestion, il give it a watch.

[dungeon]

I've just made a last-ditch attempt at having a planted tank, despite my fish's best efforts to eat and uproot them. I've ordered a biotope bundle from the shop, which is essentially a mystery box of 50 plants from a region of my choice - I went with South America. After reading the fine print, I realized I'm getting 50 single-strand plants, so it's not like I'll be getting an instant biotope look, but I've already bought them, so oh well. The random selection could still be okay for the money, but knowing my luck, I'll probably end up with 50 single leaves of some random plant species. My main concern is that I really don't want snails, and introducing 50 plants at once feels like I'm basically asking for them. Plus, there's probably worse stuff on these plants, right? Does anyone actually quarantine their plants, or is that just a myth?

I think I've found the one you got - South American Style Mixed Box of Aquarium Plants from Aqua Essentials. I got one of those too and my shrimp seem fine. Had an Amazon sword, Echinodorus Impai, and it ended up massive. Had to remove it from my tank as it was taking over, but that was from my 200l, so a bit different.

[ladster]

I've just made a last-ditch attempt at having a planted tank, despite my fish's best efforts to eat and uproot them. I've ordered a biotope bundle from the shop, which is essentially a mystery box of 50 plants from a region of my choice - I went with South America. After reading the fine print, I realized I'm getting 50 single-strand plants, so it's not like I'll be getting an instant biotope look, but I've already bought them, so oh well. The random selection could still be okay for the money, but knowing my luck, I'll probably end up with 50 single leaves of some random plant species. My main concern is that I really don't want snails, and introducing 50 plants at once feels like I'm basically asking for them. Plus, there's probably worse stuff on these plants, right? Does anyone actually quarantine their plants, or is that just a myth?

I think I've found the one you got - South American Style Mixed Box of Aquarium Plants from Aqua Essentials. I got one of those too and my shrimp seem fine. Had an Amazon sword, Echinodorus Impai, and it ended up massive. Had to remove it from my tank as it was taking over, but that was from my 200l, so a bit different.

Similar but not same company, Biotope Aquatics Ltd, they sell on Zorchzon and eBay, got some good reviews, unfair to them, I know. Wanted a random mix, trying to find some plants my severum won't eat lol. Don't expect much from the plants, just worried about unwanted extras on them.

[coltin]

I was wondering, do you know what kind of treatment the plants have had? Did they give you a rough idea of what plants you might be getting in the bundle? I'm a bit skeptical about getting 50 proper aquatic plants from Zorchzon, to be honest.

I'm a firm believer in quarantining new plants for a bit. If you're not up for that, at least chuck them in a bucket of tap water for a day and see what unwanted critters come crawling out. If the plants are from a plant-only tank, you're mainly looking at snails and other creepy crawlies to worry about, rather than diseases.

[ladster]

I was wondering, do you know what kind of treatment the plants have had? Did they give you a rough idea of what plants you might be getting in the bundle? I'm a bit skeptical about getting 50 proper aquatic plants from Zorchzon, to be honest.

I'm a firm believer in quarantining new plants for a bit. If you're not up for that, at least chuck them in a bucket of tap water for a day and see what unwanted critters come crawling out. If the plants are from a plant-only tank, you're mainly looking at snails and other creepy crawlies to worry about, rather than diseases.

It says they've been treated with a strong alkaline substance, no specifics on what that is though. I'm assuming it's a mix of different types as well, rather than all being the same.