How to Sterilize Plants?

Becca

Becca

Members
Does anyone have advice for sterilizing plants without killing them?

I'd very much like to keep the bolbitis I have in the 29 since it's expensive and not easy to come by, as well as the needle leaf java fern.
 
Localzoo

Localzoo

Board of Directors
Alum USP is used to control and kill snails and microscopic bugs, such as water flies on new live aquarium plants.
Alum USP is recommended in a separate container.

It's found in canning pickling or spice/ herb isle at the grocery store you could ask the pharmacist.
Alum usp or aluminum sulfate.


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Becca

Becca

Members
Thanks. I need to really sterilize them though, not just snails and parasites, but bacteria. I'm wondering if there's some level of chlorine they can withstand.
 
cichlidaddicted

cichlidaddicted

Members
That could be tricky. I would say a large dose of any antiparasitic med but I'm sure there isn't much literarure pertaining to what levels are safe for plants. Are there lots and are they replaceable? From following your situation I unfortunalty think it may be best to destroy them. After all we still aren't sure what the exact problem was. It sounded parasitic but without knowing for sure it would be impossible to choose a specific treatment to combat a specific parasite. The only other option is a broad range attack with some kind of poison (bleach, chlorine ect.) Even then there is no way to determine if it was effective other than putting fish back in knowing and accepting they may be on a deadly mission. When I think about all possible treatments then weigh them against all the possible outcomes it seems like it may be very counter productive to risk it. Jmo someone else may be aware of something that makes the risks worth taking. I would hate to hear that you lost another whole tank of fish with the only possible explanation being the plants that got reused.

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Becca

Becca

Members
Siiiiiiiiiiiigh. You are probably right. I was so dang excited to have bolbitis and my little piece of lace java fern. The other plants are easily replaced - well, mostly. I have some sort of thin leafed wrinkly thing in there that's either a crypt or a crinium... I suppose I'll figure out which when I pull it up and see the root structure. I like that guy, too.

I'm also really bummed about having to kill my amano shrimp, but there's really no way to sterilize those, either.
 
Localzoo

Localzoo

Board of Directors
Becca said:
Siiiiiiiiiiiigh. You are probably right. I was so dang excited to have bolbitis and my little piece of lace java fern. The other plants are easily replaced - well, mostly. I have some sort of thin leafed wrinkly thing in there that's either a crypt or a crinium... I suppose I'll figure out which when I pull it up and see the root structure. I like that guy, too.

I'm also really bummed about having to kill my amano shrimp, but there's really no way to sterilize those, either.
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Well how much heat can the plants and Amano take? Vs parasites etc...
I know we don't know specifically what it is but could you technically jack the heat up with the fish gone.

Dan I agree but I feel bad...just gonna stop offering suggestions so what has to be done...

Becca your a trooper for dealing with this practically.


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ddavila06

ddavila06

Members
those areactuallythough plants. i would do room temp water, about a gallon and add a capfull of bleach and soak for a few minutes. 4-5 minutes and then rinse with room temp water until there is no morebleach smell..
 
cichlidaddicted

cichlidaddicted

Members
Would it be possible for anything to live through the bath other than the plants?

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Andrewtfw

Andrewtfw

Global Moderators
Becca said:
I'm also really bummed about having to kill my amano shrimp, but there's really no way to sterilize those, either.
Click to expand...

I have not followed this thread until now. If I am not mistaken, this is the 29 with the possible bacteria outbreak. I don't recall the type of fish impacted or the visual implications other than death.

Is there a possibility that the fish have neon tetra disease (google it)? What course of action did you take as far as treatment?

If you are sure you will "nuke" the tank, I would bleach the plants knowing they will likely take up the bleach and could die in a couple days.

IMO it is doubtful amano shrimp are carrying anything. I would quarantine them if anything.
 
Becca

Becca

Members
Andrewtfw said:
I have not followed this thread until now. If I am not mistaken, this is the 29 with the possible bacteria outbreak. I don't recall the type of fish impacted or the visual implications other than death.

Is there a possibility that the fish have neon tetra disease (google it)? What course of action did you take as far as treatment?

If you are sure you will "nuke" the tank, I would bleach the plants knowing they will likely take up the bleach and could die in a couple days.

IMO it is doubtful amano shrimp are carrying anything. I would quarantine them if anything.
Click to expand...

Andrew - the only visible signs include breathing difficulty shortly before death and, oddly, stillness. The stillness is hard to describe, but I've noticed it. I have seen some signs of hemorrhage in some of the fish, but not all.

The groups impacted include corydoras, ember tetras, D. filamentosus, two types of chocolate gourami and pygmy sparkling gouramis. I honestly think it may be viral. I've treated with prazipro and kanamycin. Losses have slowed, but not stopped.
 
Andrewtfw

Andrewtfw

Global Moderators
Becca said:
Andrew - the only visible signs include breathing difficulty shortly before death and, oddly, stillness. The stillness is hard to describe, but I've noticed it. I have seen some signs of hemorrhage in some of the fish, but not all.

The groups impacted include corydoras, ember tetras, D. filamentosus, two types of chocolate gourami and pygmy sparkling gouramis. I honestly think it may be viral. I've treated with prazipro and kanamycin. Losses have slowed, but not stopped.
Click to expand...

I do not think it is viral. I think it may be a protozoan. Try quick cure. If you have a uv sterilizer, run it.
 
Becca

Becca

Members
Andrewtfw said:
I do not think it is viral. I think it may be a protozoan. Try quick cure. If you have a uv sterilizer, run it.
Click to expand...

LOL. I just finished euthanizing everything but the shrimp and green-eye rasboras.

I'll try to find some quick cure to dose them with tomorrow.

Plants are in bleach water, tank and driftwood, lids, heaters, etc. are marinating in bleach water with the filter running to sterilize that, too.
 
daninmd

daninmd

Members
they might be able to survive a soak in high salinity water...I also think the bleach option would work as well. perhaps hydrogen peroxide as well, they should do fine in a dilution of that.

it doesn't hurt to try and save them. just try the methods, worst case the plant dies but that will happen if you just throw it away. experimentation time.
 
cichlidaddicted

cichlidaddicted

Members
I think worst case is the plant surviving along with the deadly culprit that killed off the whole tank

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