Simply take the dark purple leaves from those dwarf japanese maples in fall when they come loose and put them in a dehydrator or otherwise dry them. Then, in a never-seen-soap container, boil water as you would for tea. Now whether you crush and bag the leaves or add them whole is irrelevant. Simply add the leaves to the (just cooler than) boiling water and cover the top of the container with tin foil or otherwise seal it to retain heat for maximum extraction and dust protection. Wait a few hours and it's ready. Strain and add to tank.
The boiling water kills and hitchhikers and as long as there aren't pesticides or hydrocarbons (near a busy road = car exhaust = bad) on your leaves, you've got fish safe rosy water for your tank.
The boiling water kills and hitchhikers and as long as there aren't pesticides or hydrocarbons (near a busy road = car exhaust = bad) on your leaves, you've got fish safe rosy water for your tank.
