Dipping Plants in Peroxide

[BigXor]

I am curious to know how long to leave plants in peroxide for algae removal (Anubias particularly)?

Also do I dip the roots?

 

[BDpups]

Peroxide will kill algae. But it may also kill the plant too. A better solution would be to buy some Seachem Excel. Get an oral syringe and fill it with the Excel and shoot it on the algae.


with my fingers.

 

[Gena]

I recommend taking a tooth brush to the tougher plants while it is soaking. Imo, 10 minutes is sufficient but it depend on how bad the algae is. Be patient and do it while you are watching tv so you don't get too bored.

P.S. I've left Anubis and Java ferns soaking in peroxide for 30 minutes and it's been fine. I don't know about delicate plants though. I put the whole plant in the soak, roots and all.

 

[Nympxzie]

What kind of algae do you have? It might be less work getting to the root (pun intended) of your problem than spending minutes-hours scrubbing your plants clean just to have it grow back.

 

[BigXor]

What kind of algae do you have? It might be less work getting to the root (pun intended) of your problem than spending minutes-hours scrubbing your plants clean just to have it grow back.

I want to dip newly purchased plants. After a couple months battle I got my tank under control and do not want to introduce another problem.

 

[BDpups]

New plants don't cause algae...


with my fingers.

 

[aliray]

They don't cause algae but I see a lot of plants in the fish stores that have algae growing on the leaves more so the java ferns, annubius and swords. Maybe that's what he is talking about. Alison

 

[Gvilleguy]

BigXor, thanks for bringing this up. I'm currently battling BBA, and I would like to try soaking my plants outside the tank to see how well HPX works to kill it.

 

[BigXor]

They don't cause algae but I see a lot of plants in the fish stores that have algae growing on the leaves more so the java ferns, annubius and swords. Maybe that's what he is talking about. Alison

Thanks for saying it that way because that's what I mean.

 

[BigXor]

@, thanks for bringing this up. I'm currently battling BBA, and I would like to try soaking my plants outside the tank to see how well HPX works to kill it.

I defeated BBA with a one-two punch method mentioned here:

My plants were too big and well rooted to remove.

WARNING: only use 2 Tbsp per 10 gallon. Also this method killed a lot of my shrimp, all of my horned snails and a couple Rasbora's. Rasbora's go into severe stress. Cory's were OK.

I fought BBA for quite awhile before trying the above method. Remove as many tank critters as possible.

 

[aliray]

Thanks for saying it that way because that's what I mean.

You;re welcome. That algae can be real tough to get rid of. Alison

 

[MoshJosh]

Adding some annacaris to my discus tank, wanna make sure it’s clean, 30 second bleach dip 1:20 mix, it’s “low splash” bleach, that ok?

Just ended up doing a pure hydrogen peroxide dip, couldn’t find out much information The low splash bleach

 

[Mongo75]

I've got a similar problem. My anubias and java fern are both covered in algae that can't or won't wipe off. I don't want to kill them, but am getting really sick of looking at nearly black leaves

I've read about bleach and peroxide dips, but I'm still afraid to give either a try.

As to your dilemma, I don't know if the low splash bleach would be advisable. I have no idea what is used to make it thicker, but I doubt it would be good for your plants, or fish.

 

[Shika]

I don't know what 'low splash' bleach is, but I dipped all mine in 1:19/1:20 (did it two different times) regular bleach/water and it turned out fine.

I did a 2 minute dip the first time, and then the second batch I only did for about a minute. I didn't get any snails the first time, but I got bladders with the second. I followed up the bleach dip with a soak in water with dechlorinater stuff put in (the stuff you add to tap water to make it fish safe) so it would help get rid of any bleach. And THEN I did a fresh water rinse because I was terrified of putting the plants in the tank after. I didn't have to fear though, because it didn't affect anything.

But, I don't think 30 seconds will do anything. I'm still a little new, so I'm not 100% sure though.

 

[Mongo75]

I don't know what 'low splash' bleach is, but I dipped all mine in 1:19/1:20 (did it two different times) regular bleach/water and it turned out fine.

I did a 2 minute dip the first time, and then the second batch I only did for about a minute. I didn't get any snails the first time, but I got bladders with the second. I followed up the bleach dip with a soak in water with dechlorinater stuff put in (the stuff you add to tap water to make it fish safe) so it would help get rid of any bleach. And THEN I did a fresh water rinse because I was terrified of putting the plants in the tank after. I didn't have to fear though, because it didn't affect anything.

But, I don't think 30 seconds will do anything. I'm still a little new, so I'm not 100% sure though.

FYI, "low spash" bleach is ordinary bleach that has something in it to make it thicker, and reduce the chances of it splashing. Not something I would recommend for aquatic use!

 

[TerryCHJ]

I've got a similar problem. My anubias and java fern are both covered in algae that can't or won't wipe off. I don't want to kill them, but am getting really sick of looking at nearly black leaves

You can cut off all the leaves of you eant
With Java and Annubias the rhizome is the important part.
As long as that is ok the leaves will grow back.

But dipping them in hydrogen peroxide for less than five minutes will not hurt those plants

 

[Mongo75]

You can cut off all the leaves of you eant
With Java and Annubias the rhizome is the important part.
As long as that is ok the leaves will grow back.

But dipping them in hydrogen peroxide for less than five minutes will not hurt those plants

Thanks!

I don't want to start cutting off leaves yet, though I know it's an option. The rhizomes are very healthy. I just finished my weekly WC, and moved them around some, and other than the "thick as tar algae" on the leaves, the rest of the plant is looking great . I just read on another thread about using alum for killing the algae. I'm going to do more research on that to see if it's a viable option. Alum is cheap. It doesn't say "fish" or "aquarium", and you can get it in every baking section in every grocery store.

 

[Blondeath]

Thanks!

I don't want to start cutting off leaves yet, though I know it's an option. The rhizomes are very healthy. I just finished my weekly WC, and moved them around some, and other than the "thick as tar algae" on the leaves, the rest of the plant is looking great . I just read on another thread about using alum for killing the algae. I'm going to do more research on that to see if it's a viable option. Alum is cheap. It doesn't say "fish" or "aquarium", and you can get it in every baking section in every grocery store.

Keep us updated! I bought alum but still too scared to use it haha

 

[Mongo75]

When I get around to trying it, I'll start a new thread

 

[TerryCHJ]

Maybe this will help. Although it is not scientific

 

[Mongo75]

I actually watched that one yesterday. It may not have been scientific, but then again, science is experimentation, and her experiment had quantifiable results. Not sure how it would work for algae, but it showed results for snails.

 

[Koenig44]

Does anyone dip their plants before they go into your tank? If so, what do you use?

 

[Blueberrybetta]

Yes. I either do Alum powder or hydrogen peroxide dips.

 

[Koenig44]

What does your regimen look like?

 

[AcornTheBetta]

Does anyone dip their plants before they go into your tank? If so, what do you use?

I had the same questions! I did some research and alum seems to work well, but you will have to soak the plants for longer in this dip.

 

[ZMAN3]

After having a disaster of an experience with fresh water leeches finding their way into my tank when I didn't dip or quarantine, I will be dipping in alum and quarantining all plants. If this hobby has taught me anything, it is patience!

This person did a pretty comprehensive review and comparison of dips and concentrations/durations. Really a good video.

 

[AcornTheBetta]

After having a disaster of an experience with fresh water leeches finding their way into my tank when I didn't dip or quarantine, I will be dipping in alum and quarantining all plants. If this hobby has taught me anything, it is patience!

This person did a pretty comprehensive review and comparison of dips and concentrations/durations. Really a good video.

I agree. This is a good vid to watch