Michigan Cichlid Association

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Ron on February 26, 2016, 11:27:39 PM

Title: "All The Leaves Are Brown"
Post by: Ron on February 26, 2016, 11:27:39 PM

I thought that this was a cool article worth sharing:
http://www.seriouslyfish.com/all-the-leaves-are-brown/

Anyone here using leaves like this in their aquarium? If so, leaves from which species are the longest lasting?

Title: Re: "All The Leaves Are Brown"
Post by: Steve on February 27, 2016, 12:46:47 AM

And the sky is grey.... Couldn't resist, I'm a 60's music fan  8)

I use to use leaves in my angelfish tank for a bit back when I first set it up. Actually I believe you were the one that suggested the leaves I used in that tank back then, almond leaves or something like that I think they were? They looked good in the tank and gave it a nice SA tannin looks, but didn;t last all that long. Use to deteriorate pretty quickly after a couple weeks in the tank.

Title: Re: "All The Leaves Are Brown"
Post by: mibwb on February 27, 2016, 02:52:14 AM

I've used oak leaves in my Ram tanks and in the Discus tank and some pleco tanks, among others...I just walk through my back yard and pick up the nice looking ones. Wash them a little and put them in the tank. I also store a bunch after they dry, in a tote for later..

Title: Re: "All The Leaves Are Brown"
Post by: greg y on February 27, 2016, 07:08:08 AM

http://m.ebay.com/itm/161800906260?varId=460774523944
Indian Almond Leaves. I order them 100 at a time and add a couple to my tanks when I notice the previous ones have disintegrated. I don't add enough to have tan water though.

I ran out and stopped using them for the last year or so but recently reordered them. I think they help keep fungus infections in check... etc

Title: Re: "All The Leaves Are Brown"
Post by: Marty on February 27, 2016, 08:44:31 AM

I have bottles of black water extract available, which will have the same effect without the mess.

Title: Re: "All The Leaves Are Brown"
Post by: Michael Zebrowski on February 27, 2016, 10:04:19 AM

I just use rinsed oak leaves...gather a bag in the fall and am set for the year.

Title: Re: "All The Leaves Are Brown"
Post by: Ron on February 27, 2016, 12:02:49 PM

Quote from: Steve on February 27, 2016, 12:46:47 AM

I use to use leaves in my angelfish tank for a bit back when I first set it up. Actually I believe you were the one that suggested the leaves I used in that tank back then, almond leaves or something like that I think they were?

Yessir, I do vaguely recall this.

I was curious what natural leaves people might have experimented with. Are all oaks the same?

Recently realizing that apistos come from leaf-ridden habitats and having moved their tankmates out to another tank, I decided to add some leaves, which is what brought upon this post. I'm trying at the moment with some pin oak leaves, as they were still hanging from a tree, 100% dry, while the rest of last years leaves are buried under the snow at the moment.

Title: Re: "All The Leaves Are Brown"
Post by: mibwb on February 28, 2016, 03:31:29 AM

I've used mostly oak....sometimes I mixed in maple leaves.
I used oak leaves in my double red apistos tank with white sand bottom and pieces of bog wood....the leaves lasted along time....some people thought they were fake.

Title: Re: "All The Leaves Are Brown"
Post by: LanaK on February 29, 2016, 07:20:05 PM

I do oak leaves in my checkerboard tank and they love it.  Esp the fry!