Aquarium Forums UK

Hi all.

After shutting down my quarantine tank with some potentially questionable fish in, I've removed all the plants and they're currently sat in a bucket. I removed all substrate and cleaned the whole tank, new filter, new cycled media, etc. I would like to re-add some of the plants and wood they're growing on before they die, but not sure how to sterilise them as such, without killing them off.

Any suggestions appreciated.

Mostly java fern if that matters.

Many thanks.

Why do you need to sterilise them?

You shouldn’t need to but a weak bleach solution can be used as a dip (iirc)

black ghost wrote: ↑Tue Oct 12, 2021 12:33 pm Why do you need to sterilise them?

In case the previous fish that were in the tank were carrying anything nasty and I don't want the new fish to get it.

Si4geckos wrote: ↑Tue Oct 12, 2021 13:08 pm

black ghost wrote: ↑Tue Oct 12, 2021 12:33 pm Why do you need to sterilise them?

In case the previous fish that were in the tank were carrying anything nasty and I don't want the new fish to get it.

If there’s anything present in the water, sterilising plants won’t help. But nothing will live long without fish present.

Methylene blue.

black ghost wrote: ↑Tue Oct 12, 2021 13:36 pm

Si4geckos wrote: ↑Tue Oct 12, 2021 13:08 pm

black ghost wrote: ↑Tue Oct 12, 2021 12:33 pm Why do you need to sterilise them?

In case the previous fish that were in the tank were carrying anything nasty and I don't want the new fish to get it.

If there’s anything present in the water, sterilising plants won’t help. But nothing will live long without fish present.

I've replaced the water, filter, media, essentially started a completely new tank. Only thing 'uncleaned' is the plants.

Si4geckos wrote: ↑Tue Oct 12, 2021 14:18 pm

black ghost wrote: ↑Tue Oct 12, 2021 13:36 pm

Si4geckos wrote: ↑Tue Oct 12, 2021 13:08 pm

black ghost wrote: ↑Tue Oct 12, 2021 12:33 pm Why do you need to sterilise them?

In case the previous fish that were in the tank were carrying anything nasty and I don't want the new fish to get it.

If there’s anything present in the water, sterilising plants won’t help. But nothing will live long without fish present.

I've replaced the water, filter, media, essentially started a completely new tank. Only thing 'uncleaned' is the plants.

Fish pathogens don’t live on plants.

The only time you need to worry, is if you are putting plants in with shrimp as some medications/treatments contain copper and other chemicals that can wipe out a colony.