Dipping Macro-algae

[butcher333]

I've been searching the heck out of weather this should be done and just can't find any reference to it. It seems like there are a lot of things that can be introduced to a tank through Chaeto, dragons breath etc. Why I wonder are we not dipping our plants before placing them into the tank? What do people think about this. Flatworms could easily hitchhike into a tank this way.

 

[Michael Hoaster]

I'd say if you want to dip, dip. An ounce of prevention…

 

[BlueCat1949]

I've been searching the heck out of weather this should be done and just can't find any reference to it. It seems like there are a lot of things that can be introduced to a tank through Chaeto, dragons breath etc. Why I wonder are we not dipping our plants before placing them into the tank? What do people think about this. Flatworms could easily hitchhike into a tank this way.

I have never dipped macros but the question is what do you dip them in and for how long?
I have read that some people who tried FW dips had a lot of problems with the macros not tolerating the FW and dying.
It seems that there must be a safe way to do this probably Gulf Coast Ecosystems or some one else who sells macros would be a good place to ask.

 

[ReefWreak]

Definitely an interesting question. The chaeto I started with had some aiptasia on it from the LFS, and knowing what they were, as soon as I saw them inflate, I removed them. Though it was too late and one got to my rocks. As soon as it opened up I nuked it with kalk powder. But it's definitely possible to introduce pests into your tank through macros.

Hoping someone reports back with answers!

 

[Subsea]

In searching nano reef, one successful macro hobbiest used fresh water dip for 10 minutes with no problem. Is that long enough to kill all pest? No guarantee.

When I want to kill micro algae on coral frags, I dip 10 minutes in 20% H2O2 solution.

For me, Red Planaria and Aiptasia are the pest I would be concerned with. Use flatworm exit for Red Planaria. I have never had a problem eliminating Aiptasia, once detected on early stages of infestation.