6 Easy Steps to Bleach Dip Aquarium Plants

There are various reasons why many aquarists opt for tissue culture plants, such as their absence of snails and algae, as well as their overall healthiness. However, purchasing tissue culture plants may not be affordable for everyone.

As a more common and cost-effective alternative, lead bunch or potted plants are often chosen. However, these plants come with the risk of carrying hitchhikers like algae and pests. It's also worth noting that collecting plants from the wild is another option, but it's important to be mindful of state and county laws, the property from which you collect, and the quantity taken (always take less than 10%).

This article will discuss one of the many methods for disinfecting your plants before introducing them to your aquarium. Whether your new plants were ordered from another supplier, a local fish store, obtained from a fellow hobbyist, or collected from nature, performing a bleach dip is a reliable way to ensure that no algae or pests are introduced into your tanks.

• Side note: Quarantining your aquarium plants is also an option worth considering.

Opinions on quarantining and disinfecting plants may vary among aquarists. Some individuals may not be concerned about critters or algae, while others may take meticulous measures to quarantine their plants. Personally, I don't religiously quarantine or disinfect plants unless they have visible algae or if they are collected from the wild (to prevent potential issues like dragonfly larvae impacting fish or shrimp populations). However, when receiving plants from unfamiliar sources or wild environments, it's important to ensure that unwanted organisms are not introduced into your aquariums.

Although bleach might seem harsh for aquatic plants, performing a quick bleach dip and ensuring thorough rinsing will not harm your plants or your tank. In fact, bleach is an effective plant disinfectant and can also eliminate algae. Using a small amount of bleach can prevent the introduction of new algae, pests, or diseases to your tank.

It's important to note that while this dipping method focuses on removing potential hitchhikers and prominent algae from plants, algae can still develop in your aquarium due to other factors.

As bleach is a powerful oxidizer, caution should be exercised when using it. Using gloves is recommended. In the event of contact with bleach, immediately wash the affected area with soap and water. If bleach comes into contact with your eyes, flush them with water immediately and seek medical assistance if needed. With that said, let's delve into the process of disinfecting your new plants!

What you will need:

• Unscented bleach
• Disposable gloves
• 2 separate containers
• Dechlorinator 

Step 1: Manual Removal/General Prep

Upon receiving your new plants, carefully inspect them for any visible snails or pests and remove them.

If you notice any leaves that have melted or show signs of algae, gently remove them. Depending on the type of plant, remove any lead strip or plastic pot with rock wool that may be holding the plants.

Step 2: Rinsing Plants

Fill a container with water and submerge the plants. Shake them vigorously to rinse off any loose dead leaves or melt that may have been missed in Step 1. For more delicate plants, it's preferable to rinse them under cool running water. Repeat this step as needed. After rinsing, pour out the water and rinse the container thoroughly. Set the plants aside.

Step 3: Drawing the bath

Take caution and wear gloves for this step. The general guideline is to mix 1 part bleach with 20 parts water (1:20 ratio). Ensure that the bleach used is unscented and does not contain any additional chemicals.

Step 4: The dip 

• Note: Before starting the bleach dip, prepare a second container with fresh water and add a recommended dose of dechlorinator (such as SL- Aqua Black More Stabilizer or SeaChem Prime). This will be used in Step 5.

Place the plants into the container with the bleach mixture, ensuring they are completely submerged.

Soak times will vary depending on the plants: 

Mosses, thinly leaved/delicate plants, and more sensitive stem plants (such as Cryptocoryne, Utricularia Graminifolia, Hornwort, etc.) should be closely monitored and not dipped for more than 90 seconds.

Average plants (such as Echinodorus species, most stem plants, Bucephalandra species, etc.) should be submerged in the bleach solution for at least 120 seconds.

Tougher plants (such as Anubias species, Java fern) can be dipped for 150 seconds.

• Note: Keep in mind that these times may affect plants differently. If you're concerned about damaging your plants, you can perform multiple weaker/shorter dips to ensure sterilization.

Step 5: Rinse & Dechlorinate

As the timer ends, have your bleach dip container near a faucet. Immediately remove the plants from the bleach solution and thoroughly rinse off the bleach. It's recommended to rinse the plants for at least a minute before transferring them to the container with the water and dechlorinator solution. Allow the plants to soak in the dechlorinator solution for a few minutes.

Step 6: Completion

Congratulations, you've completed the bleach dip process! If you're still concerned about snail eggs due to their casings, it's recommended to keep the plants in a separate container or tank for observation before planting them. You can choose to quarantine your plants for 2-3 weeks to ensure that no undesired organisms make their way into your tank. This is a personal preference. Now, you can add your sterilized plants to your aquarium if desired.