How to add plants to a new aquarium?

Question

I just bought 2 aquarium plants for my 5 gallon tank... im about to start setting itup and don't knowif i should do anything to the plants before adding them.. I bought them from Walmart.

Answer 1

I'm assuming you mean live plants? Fake plants all you have to do is run them under water for a minute or two, then add them.

For live plants, you should wash the plants thoroughly under running, lukewarm water. Go through the stalks and make sure there are no snails, and get as much algae off of them as you can. I've heard that some people soak the plants in a 1 part bleach, 20 parts water solution for about 5 minutes and then soak them in dechlorinated water for an hour, two hours, etc., but I'm paranoid about getting bleach in my tank so I've never tried it -- I would hate to accidentally kill all my fish. x_x So it's up to you if you'd like to use this method or not. =)

Good luck!
C.G.

Answer 2

A rule of thumb is to quarantine thethe plants for a week or so. This helps determine if there are snails or other organisms living on them. I bought Wisteria for my heavily planted tank and i did a visual inspection on it to see if there were any snails on it. But after a week, i started seeing snails all increasing in numbers as each week came by. Another option is to dip them in Potassium permangranate to kill off the pests. Knowing about how the plants are presented walmart and the other franchised fish stores like petsmart, you plant will come in that black container. Just get rid of that container if you are going to plant it in gravel or some other substrate. Remove the sponge material (most of it) as well.

Answer 3

Don't do it now at nighttime, wait until morning.

But to do it, first remove about half the water and the fish (keep the water though). Then make a space in the gravel where you want the plant to go. Then take the plant out of the container and place it into the gravel. Secure it tightly with the gravel. Now you can pour the fish and water back in.

~ZTM

Answer 4

In addition to the other fine advice, also check them for snail eggs. They look like these usually:
http://www.glaucus.org.uk/PondSnail+eggs085.jpg
http://www.grassywaterspreserve.com/images/Img21.gif

You can use a variety of soaks, like the bleach C.G. mentions or alum, but if you look the plants over for snails and eggs carefully, then wash them off well there really isn't any need.

MM

Answer 5

Make sure thera are no snails on them. Live plants usealy have snails in them, these snail breed fast and will take over your tank!