Plant Quarantine?

[Katy]

What kind of nasties might plants be carrying? I got some the other day, and they are in quarantine in a bowl of water with some substrate, but only ambient light and no added heat. If Ich is the main concern, I will just put them in the tank that is cycling, so they get warm water and light and more nutrients (it will be over a month before any fish go in that tank)

Anything else to worry about?

[Ardillakilla]

A friend of mine got ich' along with some plants. That wiped out most of his tank. He got UV after that and has had no more problems. I've used UV all the time and never had ich. I still quarantine though.

[Marcos Mataratzis]

I would use potassium permanganate, KMnO4 (100mg for each 10 liter water) plus 1% metilene blue (a couple drops of it) on this water with the plants for 30 minutes. after that plants can go to main tank.

[Diana]

I do not quarantine plants, but my main supply is a local club and everyone is careful to let others know if there is something in the tank.

I have gotten snails, (Loach food) from the plants.

If you are concerned about algae hydrogen peroxide OR Excel dip will kill several types of algae.

As soon as you can add the plants to the cycling tank. They will be getting established while the cycle is finishing.

[Katy]

Not concerned about algae so much as something the loaches (or other fish) might catch. Not sure if there are any parasites or such that could travel in on plants and live for a month without any fishies....

[Diana]

Many parasites shed eggs and these could travel in the water that clings to the plants. I am not sure how long these can live with no host, but a month seems safe. Rinsing the plants well with plain water might be enough, since the parasite eggs do not actually cling to the leaves, but are more like drifting in the water.

I have heard than Alum is the best to kill snail eggs, but it takes a long soak (like overnight). If pond snails are a problem you can remove the adults by hand, but the eggs cling, and are almost impossible to remove. I do not worry about snails or eggs; Loaches love the crunchy little snacks.

[Katy]

But snails are an obligate host of many fish (and people) parasites. How do you make sure that your fish dont catch anything from them????

[Diana]

I run some wormer in all the tanks about twice a year.
Also, the snails are coming from reasonably competent fish keepers, not wild streams or lakes. Less chance of the snails being exposed to parasites.