When it comes to sterilizing aquarium plants, there are a couple of common methods you can try. These include vinegar or Hydrogen peroxide and aquarium salt. However, you should be aware that some methods may not be effective on certain types of algae spores. Before attempting to sterilize plants, always rinse them with tap water.
Hydrogen peroxide
One of the most effective ways to keep your fish’s habitat clean is to sterilize aquarium plants. You can sterilize plants with a hydrogen peroxide solution. It can help to remove algae but be careful not to overdo it. If you don’t do it correctly, you may end up killing your plants. Depending on the species, soak plants for at least two minutes in the bleach solution before using them. After the soaking, rinse plants thoroughly and leave them in a bucket of clean water for at least 24 hours.
Aquarium salt
Aquarium salt is used for sterilizing plants, but it’s not always safe for your plants. It stunts plant growth and dehydrates them and can even kill them. It can also be harmful to some types of plants, such as cacti. If you don’t want to use salt, you can always try other methods to sterilize plants.
Algae spores
One of the first steps in sterilizing your aquarium plants is to clear them of green algae. You can do this by using a UV sterilizer, which uses light to destroy algae spores. This treatment is effective for both saltwater and freshwater aquariums.
Snails
Whether you are starting a new aquarium or already have one, sterilizing your plants with a bleach solution can help prevent snail problems. If you notice snails on your plants, you can remove them manually or place them in a quarantine tank. However, this method may not make much of a dent in the problem. Snails are small and can even climb up the walls of your aquarium, so you may have to try several times to remove all the snails.
Non-chemical methods
When you’re setting up a planted tank, you’ll want to make sure to use non-chemical methods to sterilize your plants. This will keep your fish and shrimp safe while the plants are quarantined.
