Leaves in water

[Vanja]

Hey everybody,
I have a question. I wonder if i should allow leaves to remain in the water or i remove them. Does the decay of the leaves effects water itself?
Should i leave some?

 

[kakojones]

I would think that a very small amount (as long as there is no pesticide or other chemicals) would be ok and may help with bacteria, possibly creat some hiding places for smaller fish or crustaceans or be food for something you have in there. depends on what kinds of leaves too I would imagine.

 

[guppy]

It depends on the leaves, oak leaves are very tanic and will acidify the ware as thet decay, soap plant leaves will release saporins that can suffocate your fish, and tobacco and manicheel leaves will just flat out poison the tank.

 

[Muske]

Leaves from Holly plants are toxic as well. Try to remove as many as possible. A thick layer of decomposing leaves in the winter deplete oxygen levels and supply nutrients in spring for an algae bloom.