How to Collect Oak Leaves and Acorn Caps for Aquarium Botanicals

[@gregjonesonline]

Let me know what botanicals you can find in your backyard!

[@jeffkane4391]

I love the oak leaves from my backyard. I'm my area it is very common for homeowners to spray for insects and rodents, something to keep in mind if you collect in a city or town park. 😉 Extremely useful tips that many are afraid to try thanks for sharing. 😊

[@spartanhonor7538]

@@jeffkane4391 Yes be Very careful where you collect from. as Insecticides Kill fish!

[@thehairywoodsman5644]

I also use southern magnolia leaves and seed pods, the seed pods of sweet gum trees , the seed pods of honey locust tree . I have 13 acres of forest in East Texas. I collect all kinds of leaves and such for my tanks. I avoid anything from the black walnut tree !

[@rdred8693]

Oak leaves and acorn caps! Same as you.

[@NYGOLD]

Good stuff! I collected oak leaves a few years ago for my Cory fry. I would put the leaves in a zip-lock then in to the freezer. I figured that would kill any unwanted bugs and what not. I keep a bunch in the freezer so I can use them whenever I need them.

[@markfranklin8831]

Ive been doing this for years and its so much fun getting out and enjoying nature and yes your aquatic creatures love it aswell.🎉 Thanks for sharing

[@spotalinia]

I got a bunch from my child's school today. It's been dry for 1.5 weeks, and I kept forgetting a bag. Today I remembered, but we got some light rain an hour vefore I got to her school at pick up time--argh!!! The leaves on the sidewalk were definifely in better condition than those on the grass.They're currently drying on my dining room table with the cieling fan going. My shrimp love oak leaves and my Nematobrycon palmeri breed like crazy when I put them in a tank 1/3 full of oak leaves.

[@curvingfyre6810]

I usually prefer seed pods to leaves. They break down slower, last longer, provide more surface area.

[@SandyDoughty]

Great video Thank yiu!

[@camerazeye7923]

What about other leaves like maple. Being in Canada we have a ton of them

[@gregjonesonline]

Maple are ok but break down a little faster from my experience

[@YvesStDony]

Hello, why cooking? In the Amazon valling in the water whitout

[@gregjonesonline]

Some aquarium keepers like to sterilize everything first, I don't bother

[@pacae911]

What benefit does that give me for my aquarium ? 🤔🧐

[@gregjonesonline]

Tannins can naturally lower your pH if your fish are into that. It also provides surface area for biofilm and detritovores to feed, creating the bottom of the food chain inside your aquarium

[@pacae911]

@@gregjonesonline thanks 😊 for answering ✌️