Black spots on leaves and things won't grow??? What to do?

[Jonathan Kadish NYC AA Chair]

Hey all, I think i have contracted the Chlamydia of the plant kingdom after inviting a plant from whole foods to my grow bed. Does this look like Pseudomonas Cichorii to you? Basil won't grow, Arugula won't grow and many lettuces show spots. Should I sterilize and start from scratch?

[TCLynx]

Sorry, not sure what the best course of action would be.

[Jonathan Kadish NYC AA Chair]

Oh my... I have stumped TC!  Do I get a prize :)

My thoughts are that because it is a bacteria I am going to have to use the nuclear option and sterilize. I have no plants in there right now that are important. I just have to figure out how to take care of the fish while I do the deed. What is the best way to sterilize?

TCLynx said:

Sorry, not sure what the best course of action would be.

[TCLynx]

To really sterilize you would have to move the fish out and kill your bio-filter, Sterilize everything.  Then you have to totally cycle up again new.  but I'm not sure if that is the best course of action.  I don't know how terribly long lasting that bacteria might be or if it is more likely to have come in on the seeds?

I hate to hear about these sorts of problems.