leaf litter?

[BK]

hi,

A quick question, would maple leaves work without killing my fish or anything else nasty? When is best to collect them, before or after they fall? i am thinking about setting up a small tank for a banjo cat complete w/leaf litter for in my dorm.


thanks,
BK

[Silurus]

They should work, but oak leaves last longer and are a better choice.

[pturley]

I had always heard that Maple leaves contain too much sugars ( ) and shouldn't be added to an aquarium. Don't know if it's true or not, haven't bothered to try it.

Per the same recommendation I have and currently do use Oak extensively. It will cause the pH to fall, similar to peat filtration, and HH is correct they do hold up quite well.

Sincerely,
Paul E. Turley

[Silurus]

I had always heard that Maple leaves contain too much sugars

Dead leaves don't generally contain any sugars. When the tree is getting ready to shed the leaf, it will export all of the good stuff (e.g. sugars) out of the leaves so that they do not lose too much valuable nutrients when the leaves are shed.
However, it is said that maple leaves are high in basic salts, so that may harden the water (presuming the salts are in an easily soluble form).

[BK]

i would go with oak leaves but acessible oak trees (not in peoples fenced yards) near my house are scarce. can i pick the leaves off the tree or should i wait till they fall of in later fall? i was thinking of using king crimson maple leaves beacuse they are a decent size and they are bigger than those of most of the other maple trees on my block. if i can find some oak i'll get them to , should i sterilize the leaves in some way (boil?).

thanks,
BK

[pturley]

Dead leaves don't generally contain any sugars.

That's kind of what I figured but as I have plenty of Oak trees in the neighborhood, I haven't seen the need to test it either way.

Sincerely,
Paul E. Turley

[Silurus]

Don't pick green leaves. Wait for them to die and fall off the tree.
And yes, it's a good idea to boil them, as this should get rid of any potential pathogens.
Also make sure the leaves have not been treated with pesticide or anything.

[coelacanth]

Just a reminder, for those of you in the Northern Hemisphere who want to try a leaf litter set-up, now is the perfect time to get out there with a few bags. I collected enough in just half an hour's walking a few days ago to last the rest of the year.

[kateswan]

I have 20 banjo cats (in two different) tanks,
and would love to get the little guys breeding.

Would adding leafs to the aquarium help make them
feel at home and comfy? They are in community
tanks. How many oak leaves does it take to alter
the Ph? (Ballpark, LOL.)

What happens when you vacuum boiled oak leaves?
Clogged vacuum? Or should you just stir things around
and vacuum the area?

Endless questions -
Kathy S

[coelacanth]

I have 20 banjo cats (in two different) tanks,
and would love to get the little guys breeding.

Would adding leafs to the aquarium help make them
feel at home and comfy? How many oak leaves does it take to alter
the Ph? (Ballpark, LOL.)

What happens when you vacuum boiled oak leaves?
Clogged vacuum? Or should you just stir things around
and vacuum the area?

Endless questions -

Leaf litter will undoubtedly help settle Banjos in (although you might struggle to see them!). As they are in a community aquarium you will probably not be successful though. In a dedicated aquarium with a sandy base and leaf litter cover there would be no need to 'vac' the substrate. It is so easy to get leaf litter though that as it starts to break up I would just net it out and replace it.