Who Gives A Fish Forums

I've been researching this topic for a while now, and I'm still unsure about the best way to introduce new plants to my tank without bringing in pests or diseases.

I always opt for plants that come sealed and pest-free, but some varieties I want, like narrow leaf java fern, can't be found this way.
My tank is tiny, only 6 gallons, so I'm extra cautious about what I add.

I've come across some methods to clean plants before adding them, but I'm not convinced.
Bleach seems way too harsh and I'm really hesitant to use it.
Hydrogen peroxide is another option that's been suggested - swishing the plants in it seems less extreme.

What's the safest way to ensure my new plants are clean and pest-free without a quarantine tank?

Honestly, a bleach dip isn't that complicated. You just need 5ml of bleach and about a cup of water, then dip the plant for 15-30 seconds. After that, just rinse it off in regular water and you'll be good to go.

No need to stress. Those pest snails will show up eventually, and trust me, they're not as bad as you think. In fact, I think they're a natural, beneficial part of a planted tank. I'm on a mission to change people's minds about pond snails and ramshorns - they're not pests, they're awesome. Sure, they might not be as pretty as nerites, but in every other way, they're superior. Red rams are the exception, though - they're pretty cool.

_SlowDoom wrote: ↑Mon Feb 10, 2025 9:32 am Honestly, a bleach dip isn't that complicated. You just need 5ml of bleach and about a cup of water, then dip the plant for 15-30 seconds. After that, just rinse it off in regular water and you'll be good to go.

I'm still not convinced that just a rinse is enough to get rid of the bleach residue. My concern is that even the tiniest bit of bleach left on the plant could be disastrous for my tiny tank. That's what keeps me up at night.

challenger said:
They are a natuflake beneficial part of a planted tank. I try to take every opportunity to change peoples minds on these so called pest snails.

I understand where you're coming from, but I have to consider the size of my tank. If I had more space, I'd be more open to embracing the natural balance. However, with my 6-gallon edge, I need to be extremely cautious about introducing any new inhabitants. That's why I've chosen species that can't reproduce - I'm terrified of overcrowding and don't have any backup tanks to fall back on. It's not just snails that worry me, though - I'm also concerned about bringing in diseases.

Diluting the bleach is the key. Even if a tiny bit got into your tank, it would be harmless. Just make sure to rinse it off really well and you'll be good to go.

MTS can thrive in a 6g tank, I've seen it. They're not as big of a deal as people make them out to be. I think they regulate their own population if you're not overfeeding. I've had them in my tanks for years and never had an issue.

Most plants are chemically treated anyway, so I'm more worried about cu getting in my tank. But by the time you get your plants and rinse them, the risk is super low. You can do a bKorvoah dip if you're really worried. I've never had a problem with plants introducing anything bad to my tank. Maybe some gsa or gha, but that's it.

challenger wrote: ↑Mon Feb 10, 2025 11:02 am No need to stress. Those pest snails will show up eventually, and trust me, they're not as bad as you think. In fact, I think they're a natural, beneficial part of a planted tank. I'm on a mission to change people's minds about pond snails and ramshorns - they're not pests, they're awesome. Sure, they might not be as pretty as nerites, but in every other way, they're superior. Red rams are the exception, though - they're pretty cool.

I'm still really concerned about introducing anything that could harm my tank, and I'm not familiar with the term "cu" - could someone explain what that is? I want to make sure I'm taking every precaution with my plants, but I'm not sure about the proper way to dip them - what are the right amounts and parts to use?

Cu stands for copper - that's my main concern when it comes to introducing new plants to a tank. If you want to dip your plants, you can use a non-scented 1 tablespoon per gallon, but I gotta say, I've never felt the need to do this myself after all these years.

challenger wrote: ↑Mon Feb 10, 2025 11:02 am No need to stress. Those pest snails will show up eventually, and trust me, they're not as bad as you think. In fact, I think they're a natural, beneficial part of a planted tank. I'm on a mission to change people's minds about pond snails and ramshorns - they're not pests, they're awesome. Sure, they might not be as pretty as nerites, but in every other way, they're superior. Red rams are the exception, though - they're pretty cool.

I'm still a bit confused - how does copper even become a risk with new plants? Is it something that's used in the plant's care before I get them, or what?

Many plants are grown above water, which means they can have stuff like copper and other chemicals on them. These chemicals can include fungicides, special herbicides, and insecticides. In a submerged environment, meds can be a concern too.