choosing the right aquarium plants

[sSjey]

Run some carbon to help remove any remaining toxins from the water. If your filter doesn't have a slot for it, consider picking up a cheap internal filter and using carbon granules in a mesh bag - it's a simple and effective solution. I've got an old internal filter set aside specifically for situations like this.

[Shark]

Huge thanks to everyone for the advice and support. Shrimp, you will be deeply missed. I've taken out the plant, done a big water change and added some carbon to the filter. I guess I didn't rinse the plant thoroughly enough, but lesson learned now. On a brighter note, I've just spotted a tiny little snail who's made himself at home - I'm happy to have him, but a bit anxious in case it leads to a snail infestation. Any thoughts on this, guys?

[sSjey]

I've had various types of snails in my tanks for a while now, and I've learned to coexist with them. They're not inherently bad, just a natural part of the ecosystem. In my experience, issues only arise when they start to overpopulate. To prevent this, I make sure not to overfeed my fish and I clean the substrate thoroughly during water changes. This way, the snails are kept in check and don't become a problem.

[oldraider]

I concur with @essjay's approach. Having dealt with a pond snail infestation myself, I found that regulating my fish's food intake effectively managed the issue. I also have seveflake nerites as part of my clean-up crew. As long as the pond snail population remains minimal, I choose to coexist with them, appreciating the assistance they provide in maintaining the tank's cleanliness.