Bleach Baths?

I'd like to get some information.

I read somewhere on here that someone gave their plants bleach baths and they got rid of all the snails. (Like the plants from the plant tanks at Petco-ish stores) Is that meathod effective? If so, how do you do it? And If not, what are some other suggestions? I'm dying to get some live plants for my betta (Suggestions would be lovely, too!) But i've had to undergo that snail infestation before, and don't want it again. So how to I avoid the whole thing? I've got a 3 gallon tank that's more tall than it is wide, so i'm just looking for some tallish plants for him to hide in. Bettas do like the tall, broad leaves. I heard Java Fern is good, but they haven't got any of it at Petsmart, and i'm currently temporarilly boycotting Petco.

 

I also had my fiancee do some research while I was at work, and he came back to tell me that ineed to have the purchased plant in a 5% bleach solution for 2-3 minutes, and doing so would kill any snails or eggs on the plant, would this be correct?

And to make a 5% bleach solution, would 9 & 1/2 cups of water and 1/2 cup of bleach do the job?

 

I wouldn't go with a five percent solution - maybe 1 or 2 percent. I got the same advice from the folks at the local Petco - except for treating algal growth on the plant leaves, and following it failed miserably. Killed my Java Lace Ferns completely, and badly damaged the Anubias.

What I did when I replaced those plants, per the advice my LFS, was rinse the plants in untreated tap water three or four times -- until the water coming off of them ran clear, and then drain them thoroughly before putting them in my tank. So far, no sign of snails. Caveat -- I only put in these new plants two days ago, so if I missed any snail eggs, they might turn up yet.

After some thinking about it, I think what happened is that the woman at Petco didn't realize I was talking about live plants, and I didn't realize she was prescribing a treatment for plastic plants. Anyways, I'd be leery of bleaching live plants.

 

Hmm I see.

Unfortunately, i've done a bleach solution. The only damage that i've seen done was (possibly) just on the new growth of the plant. Though, it was extremely new growth, and that's if the damage was just from after being in the bleach, I don't even recall seeing that part of the plant beforehand. Which is pathetic, I realise. Though I did put them in well treated water, also to get rid of the bleach before putting in the tank. And they've been in all day, and I haven't seen a snail, nor have I seen any dying parts on the plant, and to top it iff, my fish is seeing a bit livlier. So, we'll see. I'll continue to document and pay close attention to the tank though. I only just saw your post after coming home from work, and I did it just before I left. So I hadn't received the heed of warning. But I shall keep a very close eye. Thanks ever so much for the responce!

 

If it's not too late I can tell you how I do bleach baths on my plants. Sorry a little late but didn't see this post.

 

It would still be delightful if you told me how you do your bleach baths, atm.

I just researched bleach baths on google, and found one that made sense, so that's what I did. However, to hear what others actually do, would be wonderful aswell.

 

I do a 1:19 ratio of bleach. I soak my plants for 1 minute then rinse well afterwards. I don't bleach hornwort or anarchis because it will kill it. I know people say soak for 2-3min. but I do 1min. and never had any snails. I always pick all snails and rinse before the bleach too. I think that's pretty self explainational, ask if you have any questions. What's the method you did.

 

ATM's method is the best one i've seen so far but remember to rinse them well and allow to sit in heavily dechlorinated water over night.
Carol

 

I read to make a 5% bleach solution and have the plants in there for 2-3 minutes. And then put the plants in a water with a surplus of dechlorinator for a few minutes, then rinse the plants gently with tap water and then put it in the dechlorinator again.

I had the plants in the bleach solution for 2 minutes, and then had them in the dechlorinator for 15-ish minutes, and then rinsed them in the tap water, and then kept them in the dechlorinator for about 45 minutes before setting up the tank. Everything seems well today, the leaves are green, the fish is lively.

 

Glad your method worked for you and all are well.
Carol

 

Well your lucky yours did good. It took me about a month to find mine from talking to plant people at my lfs's, reading online and seeing what other people did. I finally figured out one that worked best for me.

 

Good job boycotting Petco!!!!! lol