How to treat plants for snails before add them to tank

Discussion in 'Planted Tanks' started by Wandrag, Aug 23, 2010.

  1. Wandrag

    Wandrag

    Joined:
    Jul 16, 2010
    Messages:
    173
    Likes Received:
    14
    Location:
    Alberton
    Howzit!
    I want to buy some plants, but i've noticed some coned shape snails on the plants.

    How can i treat (if possible) these plants before i add them to my tank to get rid of the snails?
    I really don't want these snails in my tank?
    So i want to get rid of the snails BEFORE the plants are added to the tank!

    (will dipping the plants in salt water solution help? or will it kill the plants?)
     
  2. Guest




  3. TroyFish

    TroyFish

    Joined:
    Mar 18, 2010
    Messages:
    1,717
    Likes Received:
    4
    Location:
    Pretoria east, Elardus Park
    When i removed the snails off of my plants i put off of them in a seperate tank, no heater, no lights no filter. Got that cheap 'kill snail' formula, added about 10 times more than what i was suppose to. about 4 or 5 days later they were all dead. Removed all the water, rinsed the plants and added more water. Next day i added to tank. So far no signs of anything.

    Hope that makes sense. There are many different ways of doing it. Wait for a few more suggestions before trying this, think it was a bit risky.
     
  4. OP
    Wandrag

    Wandrag

    Joined:
    Jul 16, 2010
    Messages:
    173
    Likes Received:
    14
    Location:
    Alberton
    What is this "kill snail" that you're talking about?
     
  5. TroyFish

    TroyFish

    Joined:
    Mar 18, 2010
    Messages:
    1,717
    Likes Received:
    4
    Location:
    Pretoria east, Elardus Park
    Thats what the product is called. Never worked when i had the tank set up. So i went over board with fustraction lol. Most lps has them
     
  6. OP
    Wandrag

    Wandrag

    Joined:
    Jul 16, 2010
    Messages:
    173
    Likes Received:
    14
    Location:
    Alberton
    Ok,
    I've found a couple of "solutions" but first want to hear your thoughts before i try this!

    1. Soak the plants in a salt solution for 5-10 minutes.
    It's recommended that you mix half table-spoon marine salt with 2 liter
    water. Soak plant in this solution - then soak plant in fresh water for 5 more minutes before you add them to tank.

    2. The use of bleach.
    Now this is where I'm a bit confused. Some web sites will say that you must use a mixture of 1:20 (bleach:water) - soak for 10 minutes, and other states that you must use half cup bleach and 2 liter water - soak for 10 minutes.
    The bleach method works the best according various sites. But some of the plants might be damage by using this method.

    3. Use Alum. (not sure what this is - or where to get it.:blink1:)

    So which option do you guys recommend?
     
  7. Zoom

    Zoom Retired Moderator

    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2009
    Messages:
    8,469
    Likes Received:
    119
    Location:
    Jhb- Fourways
    I've used method 2... and lost many sensitive plants in the past. Didn't use any specific dose. Just filled bucket with water... splashed bleech into bucked, and soaked plants for 10 minutes.

    (I've been banned from using bleech, because at the time my wife had BRAND NEW pants in the washing basket- still had the label on- and I spilt bleech onto them, AND my new shirt.)
     
  8. riyadh

    riyadh

    Joined:
    Apr 11, 2010
    Messages:
    363
    Likes Received:
    5
    Location:
    Cape Town, Cape Town
    I havent tried the bleach one, but the kill snail solution definately works. However this only kills the snails and not the eggs, so one would have to physically check the leavrs for jelly substances and remove. This is not so difficult though.
     
  9. OP
    Wandrag

    Wandrag

    Joined:
    Jul 16, 2010
    Messages:
    173
    Likes Received:
    14
    Location:
    Alberton
    LOL.

    I'll try this option - using 1 part bleach - 20 parts water - for 5 minutes..
     
  10. mydummyname

    mydummyname Balala shark

    Joined:
    Jun 17, 2010
    Messages:
    2,302
    Likes Received:
    41
    Location:
    cape town
    this method of yours does sound the most promising, i havent gone the planted route yet but i'm considering doing that, this would definitely be the method i'd try, coz it makes sense.


    as for using bleach, the big problem here is that not all bleach is the same strength so it would be difficult to make a judgement call on water to bleach ratio. i know coz our household bleach (we buy it in bulk 5L) is so strong that even if i use only a few drops in the dishwash, my hands burn for hours afterwards, and i dont have sensitive hands trust me. just something to perhaps take note of.
     

Recent Posts

Loading...
Similar Threads - treat plants snails Forum Date
What non-fishy treats do you give your feesh? General Discussions Apr 24, 2025
Ich treatment - conflicting info Diseases Sep 14, 2022
Preventative treatment for new fish General Discussions Jun 6, 2021
RSS Feed Green Spot Algae: How To Identify And Treat This Pest RSS Feeds Dec 4, 2020
Ick treatment General Discussions Nov 6, 2020
RSS Feed Blue-Green Algae (Cyanobacteria) Aquarium Treatment RSS Feeds Nov 4, 2020
RSS Feed Staghorn Algae (Causes And Treatment) RSS Feeds Oct 29, 2020

Share This Page