How to disinfect my plants? Long winded...

[Ironmahn]

Hey all! I got a BUNCH of plants are was advised that they were kept in tanks that had snails (Ramshorn). I do not want snails and searched around for treating the plants before introducing them to my aquariums. The plants are as follows:

Bolbitis
Crypt spiralis
Crypt wendtii bronze
Java moss
Java fern narrow leaf
Italian val
Crinum natans (large, about 5 feet)
Anubias

I have all the plants packed into a 29 gallon tank, and as I was placing them in I checked some of the leaves. On some of the undersides of leaves there are what appear to be small blackish circular growths approximately 1/8" in diameter, I am not sure what the are.

I don't know what would be the best for disinfecting the particular plants I have. Maybe there are better methods then what I found, and any help is appreciated. This some information I gather for ask.com:

Plant soaking options include:

Alum – Prepare soak using one gallon of water and two tablespoon of alum. Soak plants for two to three days, then rinse well before planting in tank.
Bleach – Prepare soaking solution using one gallon of water and a cup and a half of bleach. Soak plants for five minutes, then soak for another five minutes in plain water with a de-chlorinating agent, and rinse well. Be aware that fragile plants may be damaged by bleach solutions. However, bleach is the most effective way to kill snails and eggs.
Potassium Permanganate – Prepare soaking solution using one gallon of water and a half tablespoon of potassium permanganate. Soak for fifteen minutes, then rinse well before planting in tank.

Photo's of the tank of plants:

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm308/Ironmahn/DSC_0010.jpg

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm308/Ironmahn/DSC_0011.jpg

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm308/Ironmahn/DSC_0012-1.jpg

Photo's of the spots on them:

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm308/Ironmahn/DSC_0013.jpg

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm308/Ironmahn/DSC_0014-1.jpg

I can provide any additional information that may be needed, I attempted to cover all the bases.

Thanks,
Rich

[spunjin]

The "small blackish circular growths" are spores for soon to be smaller Java ferns, you want those. I like the bleach method best. Just make sure to soak them in dechlorinated water before adding to the tank and you should be fine.

[AshK]

Why exactly do you want to get rid of the snails? I've found people who want to get rid of snails have been told false information about them.

[debaric]

for potassium P, there are Fizz tabs that jungle labs makes I think called Oxy clean or something to that effect. You throw one tab in a 5 gallon bucket fill it up and wait for it to dissolve then throw your plants in for a half hour. Dada!

You can get these at Dr. fosters and smith online

[McLendon]

One cup of bleach to a gallon is more then enough to kill anything then toss in a new bucket that's been dechlorinated let sit for an hour
You'll be good to go

[Ironmahn]

Thanks for the input thus far. The bleach method won't hurt any of the species of plants I have then, that is great to hear. AshK, to answer your question... I just really have no desire to have any snails in my tanks, not my cup of tea if you will.


Rich