Plaints by mail

Dangerdoll

Dangerdoll

Global Moderator
Aug 27, 2002
11,765
5
89
56
Roselle Park, NJ
aquariacentral.com
Real Name
Cori
hi....

I just received a bunch of plants today from the mail. I don't know whether it's ok to just go ahead and throw them in the tank they'll be residing in or if I need to do anything to avoid a major shock to them. I understand there might be some shock involved but is there anything I need to do prior to putting them in the tank to make it as harmless as possible (not sure if harmless is the right word)?

ps. for now I have them in a pitcher of water, half the tank water and half the faucet water because I was unsure how to go about it and figured that's a safe step.


:confused:
 
If you are afraid they harbor snails or some such, you can soak them for a couple of days in alum water. I use about a tablespoon of alum in a quart of water. Alum is available at grocery stores in the spice section.
 
hmmm....that's a good thought but I was hoping they might be housing a few snails for my dwarf puffer, snails are always welcome guests to his plate ;)
I was more concerned whether they'd suffer too much stress or if any at all if I simply took the plants out of the package and put them directly in the tank... you don't think that would be a problem? Or am I doing the right thing by separating them first or does that even make sense....
I seem to remember reading somewhere that the plants shouldn't go directly in the tank upon arrival in the mail (this is my first plant by mail order) but not really sure if it was because of the whole snail concern, though it could've been.....or if it was because of the "shock" to the plant...... and if it is because of the shock, how long would I need to keep them separated?

Sorry if I'm being too confusing or overly paranoid :)
 
To be honest, I'm not sure if there is a way to prevent shock. A good lot of plants are grown emmersed instead of submersed which seems to be the main cause for the problems with them at first. These plants will most likely lose the leaves which were grown in the air. It was a real battle right at the first to keep up with the dead leaves. I actually lost the battle for a week or so and had to contend with some extra nitrites appearing in my tank. It was my first tank though and I think the biggest mistake I made was not knowing this was going to happen and putting the wrong type of plants in right at first. The suggestion I have seen made here and other places is to first stuff the tank with the fast growing stem plants and later on you can replace them to aquascape. I had *some* stem plants but I would have been much better off if I had used *more* of them right at first.
 
I've had the same problem with emmersed plants.

I've received plants more than a few times now by Mail, usually I float them in a Q-tank for a couple days if they are clump or stem plants, then plant them. Bigger rooting plants like swords I usually plant in my q-tank for a couple days.

I can't recall ever losing a whole plant due to "shock". The closest I had was once a heater in a tank of mine went haywire and I didnt realize the tank temp was over 90 for about 2 days. IT killed all the leaves on three Red Wendtii's I had. But over time they sprouted up new leaves.
 
Hi Danger....

Remember - the water is purified.... from the sink. There is no chemicals or stuff like that... the only reactions it should have in that case, I would think would be your tank. I think if you are easing it in as you are (half tank, half pure) - they should be okay...

um... and you spelled plants wrong :D
 
thanks for all the suggestions (and for the spelling lesson Kappy ;) ). Well, I knew I'd probably lose a couple of leaves here and there but just didn't want to go head on and throw them in the tank without knowing the outcome. Luckily, the plants that did come are mainly stem plants (there are several differnt types) and I wasn't yet prepared for the swords though they are something I do eventually want. Tonight I plan on loading the tank with the plants and I'll be prepared for some leaf loss while keeping a close check on the tanks parameters as far as balances go. I will keep you all updated as to whether these guys flourish or not and the quickness of them.

thanks again all.... :D
 
thanks for all the suggestions (and for the spelling lesson Kappy ;) ). Well, I knew I'd probably lose a couple of leaves here and there but just didn't want to go head on and throw them in the tank without knowing the outcome. Luckily, the plants that did come are mainly stem plants (there are several differnt types) and I wasn't yet prepared for the swords though they are something I do eventually want. Tonight I plan on loading the tank with the plants and I'll be prepared for some leaf loss while keeping a close check on the tanks parameters as far as balances go. I will keep you all updated as to whether these guys flourish or not and the quickness of them.

thanks again all.... :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom