is this beech?

fish fodder · Post by **fish fodder** » 23 Jun 2006, 22:15

i would like a positive id on these leaves please before drying them out and adding to my tank, thanks in advance

YouTube · Post by **Jools** » 24 Jun 2006, 09:48

Yes, that's beech. Over winter the leaves go dry and orange, but the tree does not readily drop its leaves. This is the state in which they can be harvested for use in aquaria.

Jools

fish fodder · Post by **fish fodder** » 24 Jun 2006, 22:09

i cut down a few branches, will it be ok if i just dry them out or do i have to wait for them naturally?

racoll · Post by **racoll** » 25 Jun 2006, 09:12

will it be ok if i just dry them out or do i have to wait for them naturally?

The difference between cutting them down now and waiting until autumn, is that the leaves will still be full of all the stuff the tree uses at the moment, like sugars and chlorophyll.

Although this is unlikely to harm your fish, it may contribute to the leaves going mouldy in the tank, and may also increase the BOD (biological oxygen demand).

I would wait until autumn, but if you need them now, i'm sure it would be OK.