Re: [AGA Member] Disinfecting and Plant Sources

["S. Hieber" <shieber@yahoo.com>]

Howdy,

A good way to disinfect most plants is to soak them in a
solution of plain houseld bleach and water.

Here's how: Mix one part household bleach to 20 parts plain
water.  Submerge and soak plant for about 2 - 4 minutes. 
Then gently but thoroughly rinse them in plain water.  Even
Java moss reportedly survives well a 2 minute soak.  IF you
are unsure whether a very fine-leaved plant can tolerate
the treatment,then try it with a small sample of the
speciment and check out how it well it survives.

Note that even the concentrated household bleach (for
example so-called 'ultra' bleach) is only 6% sodium
hypochlorite and 94% water.  So mixing one part of that to
20 parts water yields a relatively a very mild solution. 
But it's very effective -- *don't* walk away and forget
your plants in the bleach!

I've used this treatment on lots of plants without losing
any leaves at all.  But if you do lose any, the new leaves
should grow out just fine.

As for plant sites, you've mentioned popular ones.

You might consider joining the Dallas Ft. Worth Aquatic
Plant Club.  It's a very active list with some very active
and knowledgable members.  Out-of-state memberships are
only $5.  It's a private list so no punches are pulled when
members give opinions -- even on stores :-)

good luck,
Scott H.




--- Bill Hudgens <billhudgens@earthlink.net> wrote:
> I live in Florida and want to collect a few local plants
> and add them to my tank.  What's the best way to
> disinfect the plants so they are safe in my aquarium?
> 
> Does anyone have a favorite source for plants through the
> web?  Arizona Gardens?  Aquabotanic?  PetSolutions?
> 
> --B
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