Loaches Online Forum

I was thinking about adding some leaves to my kuhli tank and was wondering if oak leaves would be o.k.? If the oak is alright does it matter what species it is?
Thanks

I'm not certain on species but in the UK we use our regular Oak and American Red Oak leaves in tanks. Again, I have no idea on what species are available to you there but, I've also used Beech leaves with no ill effects.

Only collect fallen leaves without any green in them. I boil my leaves for about half an hour. This is usually just long enough to get them to sink, and does a good job of sterilising them too I suppose. I know some people don't bother sterilising, they just put them straight in the tank and wait for them to sink, usually a week or so. The one problem I have with boiling them is it does release a lot of the tannin, so I use Indian Almond leaves in my tanks as well to encourage tannins The Oak leaves will still release tannin but not as much once they've been boiled for a while.

another good one is almond leaves, with oak leaves i always sterilize them but putting them in the micro wave for around 15 seconds.

mick

I've used white and red oak leaves. I just boil them first.

I've used leaves from the pin oak tree in my front yard. Our pin oaks don't drop their leaves very quickly when they turn brown, but I'm careful to take only dry, crunchy ones. I also boil mine.

I have used several species of oak, and they are fine. I do not boil them, but only use well dried ones. Yes it takes several days or a week for them to sink.
I have a branch with the leaves still sticking to it (Pin oak) and this holds the leaves for a long time.

That's a really good idea, Diana, to put a branch in with pin oak leaves on it. I never thought of that before. Thanks!

I've used English oak. I just soaked them in a small plastic aquarium until they sank, and then added them to the tank. No problem at all.

Hello..,

I've heard very good things about using Indian Almond leaves, including encouraging sidthimunki's to breed. (I think I read that here!) Where would you buy them? I have never seen them being sold.

I know having leaf litter is very good for many bottom-dwellers, as it simulates their natural environment, but I have also heard it can be a pain to clean up. Does anyone have experience with this?

I find this an interesting subject
good luck
soul-hugger

Indain Almond Leaves are highly thought of by Betta breeders. Have a look at some Betta specific sites for sources.
Yes, leaves such as the dead oak leaves will fall apart in the tanks. If you do not want such a mess on the floor of the tank it is easy enough to vacuum the fine debris away. I just think of it as more soil conditioner for the plants, and leave it. (pun intende )

soul-hugger wrote:Where would you buy them? I have never seen them being sold.

I got mine from ebay. Run a search using the terms Catappa or Indian Almond leaves for best results

I chuck in a handful of Amond leaves each week into my Pangio tank-they love it. All the little faces poking out amoung the leaves-its a picture to be had.

I just bought mine of ebay, and chuck them in as I need, no boiling, heating etc


Ashleigh

Cool, thanks for the replies everyone.
I live in the country and have a Red Oak in the back yard, so they are easy for me to get.
I had thought about getting Indian Almond leaves but with price, and shipping the oak is easier to get and free.

I have read quite a few mentions here of indian almond leaves. I do not know where these trees might be located near where I live. Aside from gleaning them from a actual tree, how might one obtain these leaves