PENEJANE Posted July 15, 2005 Report Share Posted July 15, 2005 Is it possible to get plants from local streams and put them into the tank? I have heard that there is some that are dangerous to put into the tank as they release bad things which will kill the fish. Can anyone show images of some sort as to which ones are ok to put into a tropical tank? I got a 3ft coming at some stage and I don't want to pay a fortune to plant it out if possible. Keeping in mind that I am in southland and the streams are currently VERY cold lol Cheers for any info Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shilo Posted July 16, 2005 Report Share Posted July 16, 2005 I don't see a problem - snails are probably the worst you will encounter. Best if the plants are collected from a spring fed (clean) stream or similar. If worried treat the plants with Potassium Permanganate (from the chemist) or a weak solution of bleach then avoid introducing any fish for a week or so. Apart from the "weeds" like Elodea, Hornwort etc don't be surprised if the plants die off slightly before producing new leaves and shoots. You have taken them from an environment they are used to and introduced them to alien parameters. They may take a while to acclimitise. If you plan on having a tropical tank take a look at: http://www.thekrib.com/Plants/Plants/NZ/ to find what plants are suitable. Increase the tempature slowly (over a few weeks) so not to shock the plants. For general identification you can't beat the Niwa site: http://www.niwa.cri.nz/rc/prog/aquaticplants/species/ Happy hunting! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted July 16, 2005 Report Share Posted July 16, 2005 I have hauled plants out of the local waterways too. Make sure the surrounding banks have not been recently sprayed with herbicide or anything else toxic. Wash the plants well when you get them home and perhaps a quick swish in a weak bleach solution wouldn't be a bad idea either. I must admit I have never bothered doing that myself. My plants were taken from a fast flowing stream so I didn't worry about pests growing in stagnant water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PENEJANE Posted July 16, 2005 Author Report Share Posted July 16, 2005 Caryl when you got yours did you put them into a cold tank then increase the heat or did you just wash them and put them straight in? If I can do this then it would be a real easy and cheaper way to start my plant production tank Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caserole Posted July 16, 2005 Report Share Posted July 16, 2005 Penjane, as it's winter you can't just throw them in a tropical tank they will melt / die, warming them up slowly at this time of year is the only way to go sorry. I would take Shilo's advice too and clean the plants. 1 bug you DON'T what is hydra, it can be a real pain to have in your tanks or thou gourami love them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PENEJANE Posted July 16, 2005 Author Report Share Posted July 16, 2005 cool. Thanks for that caserole. What sort of formula for the weak bleach solution would you suggest? I don't want to make my plants white! hahaha Would christmas time be a better time to get plants? I doubt that it would matter as being in southland the waters are always going to be freezing cold! lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caserole Posted July 16, 2005 Report Share Posted July 16, 2005 Summer is better, but I had plants melt when I thought they would be ok. havn't done this for years so i'm a lot rusty, I think a 1% bleach dipping solution but get that checked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warren Posted July 31, 2005 Report Share Posted July 31, 2005 Apart from the "weeds" like Elodea, Hornwort etc don't be surprised if the plants die off slightly before producing new leaves and shoots. You have taken them from an environment they are used to and introduced them to alien parameters. They may take a while to acclimitise. Elodea and Hornwort are both Pest Plants and it is illegal to keep them or collect them. If you have them, they should be destroyed by burning them. If you get caught with them you could be fined or face prison. If you are going to collect and use plants from local waterways, be sure you have identified them before moving them. Take only plants that are not on the Pest Plant list. Glossostigma is a great NZ Native that adapts very well to tropical temperatures. I have it growing very well in my tank... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klaymann Posted August 29, 2005 Report Share Posted August 29, 2005 Warren , can you post a photo of this ' Glossostigma" ? .. purdy please ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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