Anybody leave indian almond leaves in the tank without any rotting?.... I like the look of leaving them in the tank and adding more as needed but dont eventually want nitrates to rise.
Indian almond leaves
- Thread starter SandNukka15
- Start date
I use leaves all the time (maple, magnolia, oak) and although tropical tree leaves remain intact the longest, they all eventually start to rot and need to be removed and replaced.
Especially with my cichlids, they constantly chew on them.
After they get too torn up, I sometimes add the debris to killifish tanks, that spawn in the litter, and the fry hide in it.
Especially with my cichlids, they constantly chew on them.
After they get too torn up, I sometimes add the debris to killifish tanks, that spawn in the litter, and the fry hide in it.
I use leaves all the time (maple, magnolia, oak) and although tropical tree leaves remain intact the longest, they all eventually start to rot and need to be removed and replaced.
Especially with my cichlids, they constantly chew on them.
How long do you usually leave yours in?..... do you wait till the whole leaf disintegrates until it's just the stem?
I personally let the leaves break down and let it be my Apistogramma loves to munch on it. It doesn't look pretty but it doesn't cause nitrate to elevate and I do 50% water changes weekly.
Most cichlids make quick work of them, so it doesn't take long, and I pretty much wait until I can siphon the pieces off, although if I notice a trend of pH drop, or increased nitrate, that would also be a cue.
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Here in the tropics, i use mangosteen leaves. They are hard & rigid, not easily rot. But no tannins though
The way I look at it is leaves are a part of the natural environment and as long as you do the water changes you are well ahead of any negative effects. I started using them for my BN plecos and now have them in most of my tanks. Fry pick at the all day and they look good. Some say they help with disease. I don`t know about that but if they do that would be one more reason to use them.
I use only oak leaves, they are the most durable leaf that grows locally and they are free. If walnut grew around here I would try those too.
I use only oak leaves, they are the most durable leaf that grows locally and they are free. If walnut grew around here I would try those too.
I use lots of leaf litter, I never remove it, just let it rot.
When leaves drop from a tree they release all their sugars and proteins back into the tree. What is left over will have no negative effect on water quality.
I like it when they start to break down, gives a natural look to the substrate.
When leaves drop from a tree they release all their sugars and proteins back into the tree. What is left over will have no negative effect on water quality.
I like it when they start to break down, gives a natural look to the substrate.
I like the look too that's why I was wondering if I can leave it in and let it decay
