wrote:
Hi, folks......

Just now setting up a new freshwater tank, after many many years being
away from the hobby.

Years ago, I had found and picked up some wild aquatic grasses and
taken them home to my freshwater tank; those plants flourished for
years in that tank with no harmful effects on my fishies.

I'd like to plant wild plants again, and I would appreciate you folk's
feedback as to whether that's a bad idea, and if so, why........

If there's a downside to wild plants, I sure haven't found it. I have
a couple of plants in my tanks that were locally collected - friends
gave me some cuttings. I've got a floating, elodea-like plant and some
common Saggittaria grass. Both are sturdy and seem to grow better than
aquarium strains.

As Roy mentioned, soak all your new plants in dilute, pale purple
potassium permanganate for 20 minutes. It kills off algal spores,
bacteria, and other stuff you might not want in your tank. I'd pick
them over pretty carefully for wild snails too.

--
Come join us in a friendly, on-topic fish and pond forum:
http://groups.google.com/group/The-Freshwater-Aquarium
Did you read the FAQ? http://faq.thekrib.com