Hi there! This article is about how to bleach dip new plants for your aquarium. This dip is the way I use to ensure that I am not introducing any algae or hitchhikers to my tanks. These are my personal notes and procedure. Please remember that what works for me may not work for you.
Notes:
Warnings:
Procedure:
Good luck,
AcornTheBetta
Notes:
- Dip times:
- Mosses, crypts, and plants with delicate or thin leaves or more sensitive stem plants like carpeting plants (<70 secs)
- Most stem plants and average plants like Rotala and Bucephalandra species (<90 secs)
- Tough plants such as Anubias and Java Fern (<110 secs)
- 1:20 bleach to water ratio
- This ratio is for 5% bleach
- Use 5% unscented bleach
- Have a bin of dechlorinated water ready with at least 2x normal dechlorinator in it
- Wear gloves to protect against the bleach
- I wash my plants upsidedown so that the water can cover more of the plant
- This dip does NOT need to be done on tissue cultures
Warnings:
- Bleach can cause skin damage, be sure to wear gloves
- This method is what works for me, but this could result in dead plants
- I usually do less than the times above to be on the safe side
- You can always bleach more, you can't bleach less
- Some people are allergic to bleach, do not do this if you are allergic
- You may feel itchy legs when you do this (at least I do for some reason)
Procedure:
- Remove any visible pests, cut any melting or algae ridden leaves, and remove rockwool and other potting supplies or weights
- Remove excess debris
- For tough plants, submerge and shake
- For delicate plants rinse under running water
- Make the bleach dip and set up the dechlorinated bath
- Dip (See above for times)
- Rinse plants
- First rinse under running water for 1 minute to make sure all bleach is off, be sure to get leaves too
- Put in the dechlorinated bath and let soak for at least 5 minutes
- The plants are ready for the aquarium when they no longer smell of bleach (if needed repeat a and b until c is achieved)
- Done! Time to celebrate and add them to the tank.
Good luck,
AcornTheBetta