I have learnt the hard way that transferring pond plants to a shrimp tank can have terrible consequences in the transfer of dragonfly nymph. I am wondering if anyone has any suggestions about treating plants to kill parasites, insect, snail eggs etc before placing in a shrimp tank. I have foxtail (Hornwort) growing in my pond and would really like to put some more in my shrimp tanks. I also have Hysopp (Bacopa) and val as well that I would maybe like to use. Any suggestions?

h202 hydrogen peroxide dip

 

or

 

quarantine tank/bucket and OVERDOSE with no planaria/ other meds for a night or two

 

nothing alive will live

 

gluck

Thanks nice tips, I should have remembered hydrogen Peroxide myself. Thanks. I cant remember recommended dosage rates for mixing? 

I use Condy's Crystals - Potassium Permanganate - available at pharmacies. Just add enough to make your water dark pink to light purple, but not dark purple and soak your plants for 10 - 30 minutes. Some plants and mosses are sensitive to it so do some test runs first.

Thanks Fishmosy, I cant believe how hard it is to get Condy,s crystals anymore. You used to be able to buy it in the laundry section at most supermarkets. We used to use this stuff years ago if you got a bad sprain or swelling on the lower legs when I was playing football. You used to put it in a stocking put it on your ankle wrap that in a bandage then a towel to help draw the fluids and reduce swelling.

Yeah its kind of old fashioned now. Let me know if you cant find any and I'll send you some.

Thanks Fishmosy, appreciate the offer. I will try in the next few days

Bens treatment is a old but easy one and it works, my Dad use to make it a bit lighter and leave the plants over night, we also used it at Bay fish to dip Gold fish in that had parasites, when it turned brown after many dips we changed to dip tub. Messy job when there was 20,000 fish to dip, no exact measurement just colour.

 

Its hard to get because its used in drug making, like some many thing used for drugs it gets ban DAM

 

Bob

As the others have mentioned a dip in Hydrogen peroxide, Bleach, Potassium permanganate or you could try Alum...

 

All work if done right but I would recommend putting the plants into quarantine after the dip for a few days to make sure all the nasties are gone. If not dip them again!

FWIW I looked online a few months ago and saw chemist warehouse selling potassium permanganate. Asked the local pharmacy same day and he told me you can't get it anymore - I don't ask that guy anything now. 

Evidently you can get it just have to look in the right place. 

Thanks to all for the replies. 

And not look suspect or like a drug dealer LOL

 

I got to know the guys at the local chemical supply whare house, that makes it easier.

 

Bob

So are you saying dont go in and ask how much an ounce.....lol....

I know that snail rid works if snails are your main concern. High in copper and toxic to fish and shrimp but used as a 24 hour dip and then rinse plants or moss and put in tank

Available through The Tech Den

I'd be very reluctant to use anything containing copper to treat your plants if the plants are going in with shrimp. Shrimp are highly sensitive to copper. You only have to miss a tiny bit when rinsing and good-bye shrimp.

I agree Fishmosy, I have seen this done with waterlillies and it is too hit and miss. My manger where I worked killed 10,000 dollars worth of waterlillies and goldfish we had in with them with copper burn and then after being told by the owner and others not to do it again did the same thing last season, but denied he did it. Dosage rates can be in parts of millions so even most water planr growers won,t treat for snails with copper for this reason.