how to assure your plants are clean of Ickies

[thrujenseyes]

I know this question gets asked a lot but I've read so many different things and I just get more and more confused as to what is the best route to take when adding new plants.

I always try to buy the ones that come sealed and in the pest free packaging but there are a few plants that I just can't find that come this way (mainly narrow leaf java fern).
I have a very small tank (6 gallons) and would like specific plants but I'm scared to introduce pests and or disease.

I've read about bleach, but this scares the heck out of me.
I've also read to swish in hydrogen peroxide (seems less tragic).

What is my best course of action to take to assure clean plants enter my tank?
Oh...I do not have a quarantine tank.

 

[SnailPocalypse]

Well
a bleach dip isnt hard 5 ml of bleach nad about a cup of water and dip the plant for about 15-30 seconds and you should be good just rinse it off in regular water well

 

[flchamp89]

Dont worry...lol. Thats best way to assure. Pond mts and ramshorns will happen if you stay in the hobby long enough. They are a natural beneficial part of a planted tank. I try to take every opportunity to change peoples minds on these so called pest snails. They imo are superior to nerites in all ways except aethstitics. Although red rams are awesome.

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[thrujenseyes]

Well
a bleach dip isnt hard 5 ml of bleach nad about a cup of water and dip the plant for about 15-30 seconds and you should be good just rinse it off in regular water well

Just rinsing alone will rid these plants of the bleach?! I just keep thinking that the teeeeeniest amount of bleach left on any plant is enough to wipe out my entire tank because it's so small.
This is what I worry about.

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

I agree and if my tank were larger than a teeny little cube I'd be ok with that. But because I only have a 6 gallon edge I want to control every inhabitant that takes up residence. I only have things that can't reproduce because I'm very afraid of becoming a sardine can. And I have no other tanks to shuffle inhabitants should my edge get overcrowded.

And I'm not just worried about snails...I'm worried about bringing in disease as well.

 

[SnailPocalypse]

no the bleach would get diluted even if any got in the tank making it harmless so just rinse it off well and you should be fine.

 

[flchamp89]

Mts are the most prolific. Some studies say over feeding is not a issue in thier prolific breeding (barr). Ive seen multiple time where they out compete other species. I do think they self regulate their population if feeding is appropriate. Even a 6g could hold a significant population without ill effects IMO.

Most plants are chemically treated due to diseases and the potential for invasive species. Id be most concerned with cu entering my tank. However by the time you get your plants (shipped) and you rinse them I feel the risk is minimal. A bleech dip can be utilized. But in many years I never felt that I introduced anything determintal to my tank from plants. Perhaps gsa/gha....

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[thrujenseyes]

Id be most concerned with cu entering my tank

What is "cu"?
I'm concerned with any and everything that could disrupt my tiny little tank.
I'd love to "dip" my plants but I don't know the proper parts/amounts.

 

[flchamp89]

Non scented 1tbs per gallon if you want to go that route

Cu =copper

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[thrujenseyes]

Id be most concerned with cu entering my tank.

sorry to be an idiot...but how would copper get into my tank from new plants?

 

[flchamp89]

Alot of our plants are grown emersed. Therefore certain macro and micros can contain cu. As well as fungicides, selective herbicides, and insecticides.

From a submerged environment meds can be a concern.

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[thrujenseyes]

Alot of our plants are grown emersed. Therefore certain macro and micros can contain cu. As well as fungicides, selective herbicides, and insecticides.

From a submerged environment meds can be a concern.

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Ohhhhhhh.....
would a bleach dip rid plants of this?

 

[flchamp89]

Certainly can help. Obviously some plants are tougher than others. If your concerned give it a shot. Never done it.

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[thrujenseyes]

Certainly can help. Obviously some plants are tougher than others. If your concerned give it a shot. Never done it.

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I think I will give it a try.
I use to have more plants than I knew what to do with but my numbers have dwindled since I stopped using flourish excel (for a few reasons).
I now only use a little bit of flourish comprehensive with water changes because I use half ro and half tap. Apparently my plants hate this but my inhabitants are much happier.

 

[StandbySetting]

Ensure any bleach you use is unscented and free of surfactants, for reassurance after your bleach dip you could dip them in a solution of dechlorinator and water.

Bleach dips are mostly unnecessary, as long as you buy your plants from a reputable source, my preferred suppliers being tropica and aqua fluer, where the majority of plants are grown emmersed and are free of pests and algae.

 

[thrujenseyes]

Ensure any bleach you use is unscented and free of surfactants, for reassurance after your bleach dip you could dip them in a solution of dechlorinator and water.

Bleach dips are mostly unnecessary, as long as you buy your plants from a reputable source, my preferred suppliers being tropica and aqua fluer, where the majority of plants are grown emmersed and are free of pests and algae.

Thanks for the great tips and although I think my LFS is pretty good/reputable I never trust the plants in their tanks to not bring in anything unwanted. I just want to take precaution. I'll look into the two places you mentioned though.