Bleach Bath: Algae prevention

If you are setting up a newly planted aquarium, or even adding plants to an existing one you might wish to consider giving your new additions a bleach bath. I've implemented this while setting up a 29gal planted tank, and have prevented any type of hair algae from entering the tank.

The procedures for bleaching plants varies. But generally you follow 1 part bleach to 19 part water. However some people recommend a beach to water ratio of 1:10. You may treat your plants, leaving them in the solution from 2-3 minutes. If you want to tailor your treatment even more look up the growth rate for the individual plant and cut down the treatment time for the fast growers. Slow growing plants take the treatment in stride pretty well. Plants can be inserted upside down as to leave the root ends and any rhizomes out of the bleach solution.

After the treatment wash them in tap water for about a minute or two (try to keep the temperature reasonably within the plants range). Soak the plant in a container of fresh tap water with a double dosage of dechlorinator for 30-60 min. Add to the tank.

As an added guard against any stray algae in your tank you can pickup a few Siamese Algae Eaters (SAE), Crossocheilus Siamensis from your local fish store.

Random planted tank on the net #4. A wonderful tank by another blogger member named Elaine. You may view her tank here. Link to her blog here.