What is the most cost effective way to keep dark water for geophagus? I’ve been using almond leaves or alder cones but with my weekly water changes it’s getting more pricey. Next year I plan to start using oak leaves since they are plentiful by me and free.
Dark water aquarium help
- Thread starter Pond9
- Start date
Oak tree leaves and branches. In my area in the fall I can easily fill 5 or more large lawn bags with Oak leaves. I'm fortunate to live near a Metro Park and can collect them in my backyard. Just boil them a little for the Tanins.
I have used oak, maple, and magnolia leaves, fallen from trees in WI.
When I lived there I kept, saved dry leaves in fall in garbage bags, and then soaked bushels full as needed, all worked well.
Also put magnolia leaves directly in the tanks They held up better than some others.
Now in Panama, I allow leaves to simply fall in the tank, sometimes tannins get so concentrated I need to do water changes to see the fish.
When I lived there I kept, saved dry leaves in fall in garbage bags, and then soaked bushels full as needed, all worked well.
Also put magnolia leaves directly in the tanks They held up better than some others.
Now in Panama, I allow leaves to simply fall in the tank, sometimes tannins get so concentrated I need to do water changes to see the fish.
Peat moss would be the cheapest way. Make sure the peat moss is organic tho. There is a brand out there that people use forgot the name of it. But just boil it and use as needed. Or since u have tons of oak leaves. Just collect a bunch and boil it to get the tannin and add to tank
If it is just peat moss then yes, but I imagine it might get messy