maple leaves

[nycsicktank]

is maple same as ial?

[Sploke]

what is ial?

[nycsicktank]

what is ial?

Indian Almond Leaves

[Notophthalmus]

IAL = Indian almond leaf, a tannin-heavy leaf used to create blackwater. Maple leaves also release tannins (but not nearly as much) and are aquarium safe. Oaks are also good for this purpose.

[nycsicktank]

will it make ph acid like ial?

[Star_Rider]

add enough and some time and they probably will.

[nycsicktank]

thanks
is this enough?
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b221/fkyounggs/DSCN2166.jpg

[nderouch]

IAL = Indian almond leaf, a tannin-heavy leaf used to create blackwater. Maple leaves also release tannins (but not nearly as much) and are aquarium safe. Oaks are also good for this purpose.

I am sure this is a dumb question, but why would you want to do this?

[Notophthalmus]

Nderouch- to more closely approximate the conditions certain fish live in in the wild.

nycsicktank- I would use more. You can stuff them under the substrate or put them in a mesh bag or filter cartridge so they're not in the way. By the way, those appear to be sycamore or plane tree (Platanus spp.) leaves, not maple. They are aquarium safe as well.

[jm1212]

who knows what chemicals are on the outside or absorbed into the leaves...peat in the filter is a good alternative

[Lupin]

thanks
is this enough?
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b221/fkyounggs/DSCN2166.jpg
But it appears you deleted the pic!:lipssealedsmilie:

[Notophthalmus]

who knows what chemicals are on the outside or absorbed into the leaves...peat in the filter is a good alternative

Peat is harvested unsustainably, destroying fragile bog ecosystems. In any case, you have a much better idea of what's gone into the materials in your backyard than into something you buy from the store.

[oscaremmy]

Just use peat (sphagnum moss peat) - releases tannins, makes the water more acidic, is great for planting and is cheap-cheap-cheap! Under the substrate or in your filter. I may try using it as the entire substrate in due course, or peat over the top of fine sand maybe...to create a 'blackwater' planted Amazon basin bioscape suited to corydoras, neons, etc.

[msjinkzd]

. I may try using it as the entire substrate in due course, or peat over the top of fine sand

I decided to try a layer of peat underneath flourite for one of my shrimp tanks. Word of warning, its very very dusty, it clouds the water, and it floats when disturbed (at least initially). I really don't know how well it would work for the sole substrate. I think I am going to start aging water in a tub with a powerhead and peat in a media bag. I would get the softening, blackwater effect without the mess.

[oscaremmy]

I decided to try a layer of peat underneath flourite for one of my shrimp tanks. Word of warning, its very very dusty, it clouds the water, and it floats when disturbed (at least initially). I really don't know how well it would work for the sole substrate. I think I am going to start aging water in a tub with a powerhead and peat in a media bag. I would get the softening, blackwater effect without the mess.

You are right - it does float, but only until it is waterlogged. That's why I saturate it by hand-squeezing it in some water...using a bucket and adding a little water at a time, you kneed it like dough and it suddenly saturates. After that, it will sink. Of course, even in normal fish movement it stirs up more easily than gravel or sand, but the corydoras really seem to enjoy burying deep into it and it does eventually settle down. Now that the 10g tanks are all settled, if I poke a hole through the sand to the peat under-layer (say when I am planting), it doesn't float up. If it comes out at all (which happens especially if the sand is not very thick), it just settles on the sandy surface and you can vac it away if you wish - I tend to leave it for a more natural look. In the end, I imagine it would be no worse using peat than using leaves, as this thread suggests. :)

[msjinkzd]

yeah, its settled now. not so bad, but messier than I was hoping for. I may try some in a media bag in the filter next. Leaves I have used many many times, they are easy to use and remove.

[gmh]

There are many species of Oak. I'm not certain all are aquarium safe.