Regular Member kazaba Posted October 31, 2010 Regular Member Share Posted October 31, 2010 Hello. So, I've purchased a couple of those top fin plants in the tubes (anubias and java fern), and I wanted to know if I should somehow disinfect them even though they weren't exposed to any fish. I guess it wouldn't hurt to be safe, but I know that some disinfectants can be very harsh on the plants, and I have been unable to find the recommended potassium permanganate anywhere! Is there an alternative, less-harsh disinfectant, or could I get away with not disinfecting them at all and just leaving them in qt for a while? Also, will it be a problem for the plants if the tank temperature is not always optimal? It usually hovers around 70, but it can go as low as 65 and as high as 75. I don't have a heater and am not particularly keen on buying one (a little short on $). Thanks in advance 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Cynders Posted October 31, 2010 Regular Member Share Posted October 31, 2010 I would do a bleach bath. Get a bucket and do 1 part bleach to 19 parts water. So I would say about a cup or less of bleach to 19 cups of water. Just don't put too much bleach in there. Do it for at least a minute to two minutes and then rinse the plant extremely well, and then let it soak in some dechlorinated water. This should do the trick for you It also depends on the plant, it could be risky if there are fluctuations, and it's risky for your fish too. At 70 degrees it shouldn't bother them though 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Choochoo Posted October 31, 2010 Regular Member Share Posted October 31, 2010 I would do a bleach bath. Get a bucket and do 1 part bleach to 19 parts water. So I would say about a cup or less of bleach to 19 cups of water. Just don't put too much bleach in there. Do it for at least a minute to two minutes and then rinse the plant extremely well, and then let it soak in some dechlorinated water. This should do the trick for you It also depends on the plant, it could be risky if there are fluctuations, and it's risky for your fish too. At 70 degrees it shouldn't bother them though Is it OK to do repeated bleach treatments on the same plant ? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Cynders Posted October 31, 2010 Regular Member Share Posted October 31, 2010 I wouldn't because some plants are sensitive. Some have even been known to melt if bleached for too long. My anubias got brown tips after their bleach bath, but soon recovered. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Choochoo Posted October 31, 2010 Regular Member Share Posted October 31, 2010 I wouldn't because some plants are sensitive. Some have even been known to melt if bleached for too long. My anubias got brown tips after their bleach bath, but soon recovered. Thank You Would PP be safer to do multiple treatments ? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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