Lead weights and how do you sterilize plants for aquatic setups

[deedee71]

hi :ufo:

the last time I purchased elodea the oxygenating plant, I ended up with big larvae that I think were dragonfly related I would like to sterilize the plants somehow. is it safe for the newts to soak them in a salt solution and if it is safe, would it actually kill any pests?

also, another plant related question, are the lead weights ok for the newts?

thanks in advance

 

[Rupert]

hi :ufo:

the last time I purchased elodea the oxygenating plant, I ended up with big larvae that I think were dragonfly related I would like to sterilize the plants somehow. is it safe for the newts to soak them in a salt solution and if it is safe, would it actually kill any pests?

also, another plant related question, are the lead weights ok for the newts?

thanks in advance

Soak them in salt solution, rinse in dechlorinated water, should be fine for newts.

Not sure if salt solution can kill dragonfly larvae - lime or hydrogen peroxide, perhaps.

I'd stay away from lead weights - heavy metal such as lead, copper, iron, zinc are all toxic to amphibians.

 

[Daimler]

i think a salt solution can kill each other (plant and larvae).

 

[sde]

I collect plants from ponds from time to time, and i sterilize them with salt. It can kill snails, but there will sometimes be some survivors, so i imagine that it is possible it wouldn't kill a dragonfly larva.
Make sure you don't let the plants sit in the salt water for more than a minute or two, or it can end up killing the plants. Be sure to rinse well afterward.

 

[deedee71]

Thankyou so much for your replies xxx