Who is using leaves?
- Thread starter HarleyK
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I use indian almond leaves (catappa), mulberry, guava, banana leaves etc in my shrimp tanks, but across the board I tend to use catappa the most, can slightly reduce the ph depending on quantity, and just leaches "good" stuff into the water. So basically I'd use them in every tank now.
is there any prep work for using oak leaves? I've got millions of them around me, but I use peat right now for my piranha tank...would like to start adding a more natural feel.
what do you guys do to prepare wild-collected leaves for tank use? my main concern is contamination, I have farms around me so the use of insecticide is a common concern, but I don't want to lose the tannins out of the leaves either by boiling them.
what do you guys do to prepare wild-collected leaves for tank use? my main concern is contamination, I have farms around me so the use of insecticide is a common concern, but I don't want to lose the tannins out of the leaves either by boiling them.
I only use the leaves from my yard, because I don't use any insecticides or fungicides, but can't be sure about what others do.
I have magnolia, maple, and oak and have used them all.
Maple break down the fastest, of the 3, the longest lasting are the magnolia.
In tanks where I want lots of tannins, I pour boiling water over them and let sit until waterlogged enough not to float. They have worked well as spawning media for killifish, piled up, great places for fry, and the large cichlids rummage thru them and I believe use as part of the diet (especially the detritus feeders.
The leaves do break down, crumble and can make for more maintenance of filters or substrate.
And as someone else said, are always a part of any habitat I have snorkeled in.
Ishot the video below near Tulum in Mexico. Lower the volume so you don't have to listen to my incessant breathing. The fish are Astyanax tetras, Parachromis freidrichthalli, introduced Tilapia, and Gambusia and Poecelia live bearers
Aktun Ha
I have magnolia, maple, and oak and have used them all.
Maple break down the fastest, of the 3, the longest lasting are the magnolia.
In tanks where I want lots of tannins, I pour boiling water over them and let sit until waterlogged enough not to float. They have worked well as spawning media for killifish, piled up, great places for fry, and the large cichlids rummage thru them and I believe use as part of the diet (especially the detritus feeders.
The leaves do break down, crumble and can make for more maintenance of filters or substrate.
And as someone else said, are always a part of any habitat I have snorkeled in.
Ishot the video below near Tulum in Mexico. Lower the volume so you don't have to listen to my incessant breathing. The fish are Astyanax tetras, Parachromis freidrichthalli, introduced Tilapia, and Gambusia and Poecelia live bearers
Aktun Ha
when you waterlog the leaves do you use the water that's left over in the tanks at all or just get rid of it?I only use the leaves from my yard, because I don't use any insecticides or fungicides, but can't be sure about what others do.
I have magnolia, maple, and oak and have used them all.
Maple break down the fastest, of the 3, the longest lasting are the magnolia.
In tanks where I want lots of tannins, I pour boiling water over them and let sit until waterlogged enough not to float. They have worked well as spawning media for killifish, piled up, great places for fry, and the large cichlids rummage thru them and I believe use as part of the diet (especially the detritus feeders.
The leaves do break down, crumble and can make for more maintenance of filters or substrate.
And as someone else said, are always a part of any habitat I have snorkeled in.
Ishot the video below near Tulum in Mexico. Lower the volume so you don't have to listen to my incessant breathing. The fish are Astyanax tetras, Parachromis freidrichthalli, introduced Tilapia, and Gambusia and Poecelia live bearers
Aktun Ha
I have poured the really tannin soaked water and leaves directly in tanks for those fish i was encouraging to spawn at the time, like the killi's and wild type Borneo bettas. I did filter it a bit thru a sieve, but basically squeezed the leaves a little and tossed them in.
Th kills reacted almost immediately, spawning, as did the bettas.
Better edithae above, Pachypanchax playfairii fry below
Th kills reacted almost immediately, spawning, as did the bettas.
Better edithae above, Pachypanchax playfairii fry below
I don't have a sump so I just use a filter sock with a decent micron that I hang in the tank. This keeps the peat from falling out and before the leaving. Takes me literally 5 min to change out. The bigger problem is my filter sock only holds one large cup/10oz of peat.
Almond leaves were nicer and significantly more potent but I calculated would cost me like $30 a month on a 180. I do weekly 50% water changes and bumping that which very quickly takes out the tannins that I want in there.
Almond leaves were nicer and significantly more potent but I calculated would cost me like $30 a month on a 180. I do weekly 50% water changes and bumping that which very quickly takes out the tannins that I want in there.
Ask and you shall receive
And my favorite...my alpha...
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NICE, look bulky and freaking healthy, a job well done Souzie!Ask and you shall receiveThey're 8 - 10 inches now...
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And my favorite...my alpha...
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