plastic plants + Dishwashers

[cutechic]

Hi I wondering if it was safe to put my plastic plants in the dishwasher, providing I don't put in any dishwasher soap. The reason I am wondering is because my plastic plants are covered with algae, and I can't seem to get the algae off when I wash the plants by hand. Thanks!

 

[fishme2death]

I would think there still may be some soap residue in the dishwasher. The other issue is the drying agent in most dishwashers to keep off spots from glasses. I'd be concerned!!!

 

[Pondlady]

I wouldn't do it. The water is extremely hot and can melt the plants. I ended up with deformed plants when I tried dipping them in REALLY hot water.

The best way I have found is to use a good stiff brush. Hold the damp plant in the palm of one hand, douse it with salt, and scrub really well, turning often.

 

[Kryten]

Temperature isn't really too much of a problem but as fishme2death pointed out, and is absolutely correct, soap residue could stay on the plants and will be toxic to fish if you return them with this soap on

How big is your tank? Have you considered adding a platy or two to the tank. I did as I didn't want to add a siamese algae eater, and between the 4 platys I have, they clean all algae off the tank sides and plants effortlessly. They are also an ideal community tank fish and can be beautiful to look at in you tank

 

[cutechic]

Thanks, guys. And to answer Kryten, I have a five gallon tank, but I'm not sure if I can add more fish, because I already have two white clouds and a black neon in the tank. Won't four fish be too many for a tank that size?

 

[Kryten]

5 gallons isn't a lot but as long as you add 1 small platy and keep a close eye on ammonia and pH, it should be fine. For a confined space, I would recommend a female, seems to be a bit more docile and suited for a community tank. You can tell the sex by the fin at the anus. A female has one single fin, while a male has two smaller fins and a small tube-like protrusion inbetween. 1 female will get on fine and will clean algae out of the tank, while also feeding on flakes and bloodworms (if you feed those)

One platy should be fine by herself, and will still make a neat addition to the tank. The black tetra won't be putting any real strain on the tank setup and the white clouds aren't huge. Just make sure that you check the tank parameters frequently for a week or so until the fish is settled in and the tank has compensated.

Good luck

 

[cutechic]

thx kryten

 

[Kryten]

Let me know how you get on, if you need any more advice regarding Platies, there isn't much I can't tell you