Caldwell Posted May 11, 2010 Report Share Posted May 11, 2010 Hey, is it true Oak leaves (as in the ones that fall off the trees) can lower PH e.g. for Apistogrammas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted May 11, 2010 Report Share Posted May 11, 2010 Yes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firenzenz Posted May 11, 2010 Report Share Posted May 11, 2010 Not only do they soften water, they are an environment for breeding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted May 11, 2010 Report Share Posted May 11, 2010 There are a number of things that do that. Oak leaves that have fallen from the tree, oak bark, peat, cones from the alder tree and teabags to name a few. I have used them all without problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 11, 2010 Report Share Posted May 11, 2010 What type of teabags would you use? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted May 11, 2010 Report Share Posted May 11, 2010 The fish are not fussy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwiplymouth Posted May 11, 2010 Report Share Posted May 11, 2010 Check out this thread about making blackwater. http://www.fishkeepers.co.nz/forums/vie ... &sk=t&sd=a Note that on page 2 that a member had his cockatoo's die atfer a couple of days of using tea bags. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted May 11, 2010 Report Share Posted May 11, 2010 Like a lot of things in fish keeping it is about how much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwiplymouth Posted May 11, 2010 Report Share Posted May 11, 2010 Like a lot of things in fish keeping it is about how much. I agree Alan. I just felt that it was worth pointing out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted May 11, 2010 Report Share Posted May 11, 2010 i wouldn't use tea bags. plenty better things out there - almond leaves, aspen cones, oak leaves and heaps more. ive used oak leaves and those little aspen things and it looks good, pH is low and stable. puffers love it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bilbo Posted May 11, 2010 Report Share Posted May 11, 2010 I agree with Phoenix on this one. Teabags do work and I have used them but I am not a fan. Peat or aldercones etc work much better. AT this time of year oak leaves are everywhere, I collected some from a red oak 2 nights ago and have another bag full from the white oak a few weeks ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aquila Posted May 11, 2010 Report Share Posted May 11, 2010 So oak leaves stain the water right? And do their effects on lowing pH and softening the water only work while the stain is in the water...or will it continue working even after the stain has faded. Same question for peat. Is it rendered useless once water goes back to clear? Also with alder cones, do you just collect the ones that have fallen to the ground or can you pick the brown ones off the tree? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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