Plant dips?

[dan2x38]

Latios' goldies are gone. He is stocking it himself. He wants some plants in there so I'm giving him some Java fern, Westeria, & Bronze or Green Cyrpt... only 1x18" tube...

OK I want no snails to cross over... I've read you can do a bleach plant dip has anyone done this or heard of this? If so how is it done?

[babblefish1960]

Bleach dips are tough on plants, however, they fix a lot of ills by prevention. The mixture is 1 part bleach to 30 parts water, and no more than 30 seconds in the dip, and rinse, rinse, rinse. Because the bleach is on the plant, while it may be out of the dip, it is still destroying the plant while you rinse, so don't be slow.  You will lose part of the plants, but it should recover if it is healthy.

[fischkopp]

I heard from people doing it for desinfection and to remove algae. May work with snail eggs, but not necessarily as their nests have a kind of smily protection coating.

Personally I would avoid using bleach for anything aquarium related. If I would really want to bleach something, I would use H2O2 instead.

[Adam]

What's wrong with snails?   

[dan2x38]

Bleach dips are tough on plants, however, they fix a lot of ills by prevention. The mixture is 1 part bleach to 30 parts water, and no more than 30 seconds in the dip, and rinse, rinse, rinse. Because the bleach is on the plant, while it may be out of the dip, it is still destroying the plant while you rinse, so don't be slow.  You will lose part of the plants, but it should recover if it is healthy.

I have aqua-sol would that work consentrated?

[BigDaddy]

I heard from people doing it for desinfection and to remove algae. May work with snail eggs, but not necessarily as their nests have a kind of smily protection coating.

Personally I would avoid using bleach for anything aquarium related. If I would really want to bleach something, I would use H2O2 instead.

Bleach is a very aquarium-safe disinfectant when used properly.  Heck, even major manufacturers recommend using bleach for some things.  Two examples:  Marineland tells people to clean their micron filters will a bleach solution and Seachem advises a bleach dip to recharge one of its filter media products.

People have been using bleach dips as snail/egg/algae/quarantine solutions since much longer than I have been in the hobby.  As Babble mentioned, 30 seconds is usually enough.  Some people advise that hardier plants like Java Fern or Anubias can handle longer times in the bleach; that I can confirm.

The other thing to remember about bleach dips, never expose the root systems to bleach.  Unlike foliar tissue, the roots are very sensitive and you will likely kill the plant.

Other viable alternatives are alum and potassium pergamenate.

[fischkopp]

Bleach is a very aquarium-safe disinfectant when used properly
  ...
Other viable alternatives are alum and potassium pergamenate.

I guess I am a little too cautious using potentially poisonous chemicals 

Are there any sources available in town where one can get potassium permanganate?

[BigDaddy]

H2O2 can kill as well fischkopp.  There are strong oxidizers that will kill not only snails and algae, but also shrimps and fish.  It is all a question of balance and using the smallest dosage that is still effective.

[dan2x38]

I have CO2 glass diffusers and the vendors recommendation is to soak in bleach to unclog & clean the ceramic. I have done this carefully it worked fine.

Besides latios hates snails... he is always after me to clean them out of my tanks... I don't like pond snails either... 

[Fishnut]

Doesn't copper safe kill snails too?  Maybe do a regular dose of that in a bucket and rinse the plants afterwards...although I'm not sure of there's a residue left evan after rinsing that could potentially harm other inverts.

[fischkopp]

H2O2 can kill as well fischkopp.  There are strong oxidizers that will kill not only snails and algae, but also shrimps and fish.  It is all a question of balance and using the smallest dosage that is still effective.

I understand and agree that balancing is the key. I only use H2O2 in small dosage (< 5ml/100l for 3% solution) in very rare cases like for example blue algae remedy - and it will break down on its own into harmless O2 and H2O in a very short time, thats why I prefer it over other methods. Its for sure that they may harm the lifestock. It shall be only used as last resort.

[dan2x38]

I followed BabbleFish's advice went with the bleech ratio and directions he said. So far so good. Plants waiting for Latios to plant... Boys oh boys are they ever clean...