OK, so I want to load a tank with some plants to help with nitrates and food while we are traveling.

I know the 1:19 bleach water bath. Is this really sufficiant? Is there a potassium permanganate bath solution reccommended also? Would that perhaps be better at eliminating nasties than the bleach solution?

I am paranoid, but willing to give it a try!

Koko posted this awhile ago and I've added the conversions
for myself.

You have different ways of cleaning plants of the nastys

1. Snail
a Cidewhich has ":potassium permanganate " This will kill any
snails.
Get a bowl with some water add enough that will make the water a pale
Pinkish color. Then soak for 10-15 mins. Then rince with tap water.

2. If you cant find that you can use Bleach.
This way is alittle harder on delecate plants and root system. So you
want to use 1 part bleach to 19 parts tap water. Then only dip them
into the solution but dont get the roots. One table spoon of Bleach to
one quart of water.

1 quart equals 4 cups. 1 tablespoon equals 3 teaspoons.


So far I haven't had any problems with the bleach solution.
Maybe it's just me though.

Thanks - I have the pp and the bleach both available. I am just so nervous - I am finally ridding my tanks of this mysterious bacteria that has been killing since last December and I REALLY REALLY do not want to introduce something ELSE.

Since I am not looking for these plants to grow, particularly, (if they do, that is great, but the original plan is for them to get devoured), I am not overly concerned whether I injure them too much or not. As long as they are healthy food for the goldies.

(My house sitter refuses to feed greens to the goldies - she says they are "icky slimy things!" and will not do it. She will dump premeasured food into each tank each day, but that is it! I could not get the "good sitter" this time. ) SO they will get their spirilina flakes and krill and stuff, but nothing fresh. The plants were also to help with nitrates - for 10 days is a long time to go for some of my more sensitive fish!

I am going plant searching today..... maybe duckweed or elodea would be the yummiest.

Where should one look for potassium permaganate? Pet stores? Thanks.

I think there are some commercial "fish" products that are a dilution of PP. I do not know any of them off hand, but look for a bottle with a bright purple liguid in them - it is probably pp or something with potassium permanganate in it.

I have a bottle of crystals that is from Merck labs - it is about 50 years old. I expect you could get the crystals from just about any laboratory supply house, also. A few crystals is enough to zap a big tank - so you need a VERY small amount. Just remember that it stains HORRIBLY and PERRMANANTLY!

Thanks!

Jungle Clear Water has 0.53% PP and I have seen it in nooppee and PetSmart.