Why Use Leaves In Your Aquarium? | Complete Beginner Guide

[@Scrapla1]

When I was a teen I had a 15 gallon tank that was full of gravel and all fake plants. It looked ok but I met a friend who into the hobby and we replaced all the fake plants with real plants from local ponds and streams. It totally transformed the tank and it turned into a thriving little ecosystem. I did have a problem with snails but I would recommend anyone with a tank even amateurs to go the natural route, don't be afraid.

[@Selector-Cools]

I've done the same went to the stream found some plants which grow on rocks and put it in my tank worked wonders apart from the snails.

[@eriksontovar3386]

I’m currently a beginner in the whole industry of aquarium. This is a stupid question but Do you have to do water changes on them or very rarely and on what occasions?

[@FatherFish]

Thank you. Excellent description of the value of botanicals.

[@MrBrightfryed]

Thank you my friend. Really appreciate it 🙏

[@firedogz7355]

Since when did you talk about botanicals😅

[@FatherFish]

We are creating a PDF about leaves. They are the basic food material in all fresh water environments.

[@MrBrightfryed]

That's fantastic. I created one not so long back. The more information we can share with the world the better 🙌🏻

[@Kalinux_ai]

Hack: Moist the dry leaves you find in nature and put them into jar that can be sealed. After 1 month, it will be nice and brown and will sink without any problem. Doesn't really matter what leaves they are, just put them into your aquarium. I personally don't believe in leaf selection, they all work as long as they are dead, dry and not green

[@johnjwedrall4290]

Much needed information, thanks.😊

[@MrBrightfryed]

Glad it was helpful!

[@mikefm4]

Don’t boil the leaves and kill all the micro fauna. That’s exactly the thing you want to introduce. It’s part of the breakdown cycle in the tank. Nature doesn’t preboil leaves on their way down to a stream bed. Great content though. And I love the tank you had behind you during this. Looks beautiful

[@markfranklin8831]

Lots of good information thanks for sharing 💯

[@MrBrightfryed]

Thanks, appreciate the kind words 👊🏻

[@Exquailibur]

most of the trees in my area are evergreens like cedar and spruce, but there are stands of red alders and a bush called salal that has very tough leaves that take a long time to decompose compared to alder leaves and there are also the sword ferns which have massive leaves that work. Sadly most of the trees here are not usable though since evergreens have needles and are also full of harmful sap and chemicals that arent exactly great for fish.

[@thetruthdotcom100]

Do you keep your filter running after adding the almond leaves

[@MrBrightfryed]

I do indeed. The only time I would turn anything off is if I wanted the leaves to fall in a specific place and didn't want the filter moving them about. Only other thing is if your filter has activated carbon in it then this will remove any tannins the leaves will leach so you won't get the coloured water.

[@Doktracy]

I have magnolia cones and sweet gumballs everywhere. Would they be safe? Along with their leaves?

[@MrBrightfryed]

Yes both are safe to use. Ive not personally tried gum tree pods or their leaves. I have however used magnolia leaves plenty of times 👍🏻

[@arkansasboy45]

What about leaves and twigs that I pull from a pond? They shouldn't need to be boiled, right?

[@jconrad8585]

They do because there might be parasites on them

[@MrBrightfryed]

Agreed. I would always recommend boiling any items you plan on adding to an aquarium just incase. Remember they still might have pollutants, bacterias and other unwanted items you don't want in your tank. Safest method short of not using them is to boil 👍🏻

[@Bradair1]

@@MrBrightfryed Then you will never have a balanced tank. You need all of the microscopic life in you aquarium, just trust in nature.

[@kevinriley5979]

You mines well buy fake leaves if you gona boil them

[@lacreiataylor8838]

Father fish says no. You dont have to boil them. It defeats the purpose

[@tinadoyle3803]

Do Indian almond leaves need to boiled if you buy them in a fish store ?

[@nanaurbiznez1725]

I just added a few to my 55. the next day...ALL DEAD. Nothing else changed. Any ideas as to why?

[@MrBrightfryed]

Did you boil them first? They could have contained an array of pesticides or unwanted chemicals etc.

[@nanaurbiznez1725]

nope, didn't know I should... @@MrBrightfryed

[@MrBrightfryed]

In my personal view its highly recommended. I always boil my botanicals for at least 30-40 mins. Then pour the water down the sink. Rince off then add to the aquarium. This helps reduce the risk of contaminants getting in the aquarium. I've made a few guides and a playlist on my channel if it helps. 👍🏻

[@crazyhuman7541]

Can I use random leaves from my garden I'm in the UK

[@MrBrightfryed]

Depends, technically yes providing they are completely dead, but be mindful about pollution if you are in a built up area. Always boil (In my opinion) and then maybe test them out prior to putting them into a main tank if you are unsure.

[@cloverdog85]

In new to fish but the ph levels are high on my water dp I hot drift wood and almond leaves. I have fake plants though except duckweed.😊

[@justinmalangoni]

I read boiling them removes a lot of the nutrients.

[@jamillefrancisco564]

I'd imagine the heat would sterilize it as well

[@kamikazeblackjack]

If you put the the boiled water in the tank most of the nutrients still be there i think

[@MrBrightfryed]

That's true but the water could contain pollutants or harmful pesticides which could have been used, that's why I would always drain, rinse and then add them. More precautions you take the less risk.

[@kamikazeblackjack]

So it simple clean the leaf boil the leaf and put the leaf and the boiled water inside the aquarium

[@tinadoyle3803]

Boiled water into your tank ?

[@noobeast3687]

Bro can i use almond leaves with my sponge filter on?

[@MrBrightfryed]

Yep I certainly do in almost all my tanks 👍🏻

[@tinadoyle3803]

Will leaves lower my ph ?

[@FishRfun]

Boiling catappa leaves and alder cones now. The alder cones take forever to boil to get the brownish/red tannin color out. And it's still not 100 % out. Just be warned about alder cones at keast...you have to boil forever to get somewhat clear water. Changing water every 30 minutes of course

[@seamus6994]

Good Information. I use Catappa leaves. I live in an area of many Oaks. I keep forgetting to collect them for my tanks. Saved and Liked and Subbed...

[@MrBrightfryed]

Thanks for the kind words, oak are great leaves to use! Always great if you live in England in the autumn as there are plenty of trees to collect from.

[@neutronshiva2498]

Thoughts on nettle compost tea as fertilizer in aquarium? I assume it's too crazy :D

[@MrBrightfryed]

Interesting. I can't see why not. Boil the nettles and then use the water. I'd say you'd have to leave the leaves in the water for a few weeks to let the benefits leach from the leaf or maybe use large quantities. Might have to give that a go 👍

[@RTechWorld]

Pls suggest the leaves

[@juliaabelle8581]

How do you siphon and clean your aquarium with all that debris around? Isn't it quite a task? I am asking seriously. It looks great but what happens next? I think it's hard to do in a "normal" tank with a moderate clutter of water plants, taking ages to siphon.. needs kind of every week.. but with all that lovely scrap around... usch.. 😆😁 twigs, barricades of branches, leaves all around, you get the point...

[@antonfelice5284]

Sand and soil will take care of them. Just like leaves decompose and go back to soil

[@silver_fox4040]

I've been using red oak leafs

[@66bigbuds]

Just go outside and pick up some leaves. Dont vuy them. I feed my shrimp leaves from my sugar maples.

[@mikasauchiha6785]

Hello sir. Are mango leaves ok?

[@MrBrightfryed]

Absolutely, I use them all the time. One of my favourites 👍

[@mikasauchiha6785]

@@MrBrightfryed Oh thanks! Luckily, we don't have factories here in our province in the Philippines. We don't have chlorine treatment in our tap water.Happy fish keeping.😊

[@arijitpal166]

Can I use neem leaves?

[@JafferManiar]

Neem Leaves you have to be careful. Neem oil itself is used in making pesticides. It would be much safer to use Almond leaf or dry banana leaf.

[@kevinriley5979]

Mines well buy fake leaves if your gone boil and kill everything

[@FishRfun]

You killed me with the "treasure chest bubbles and divers"....only if you're under 8 years of age is that ok. Just imo

[@MrBrightfryed]

😂😂😂😂 Thanks for watching, glad you liked it!

[@pageonefilms4777]

Boiling that's not natural... i put it directly nothing fancy you could wash it if you want

[@MrBrightfryed]

An aquarium isn't a natural habitat, conditions are different so should be treated different. I'd always boil and not take the risk. Done it enough times I the past without to have learnt my lesson.

[@clarinet19107]

You are absolutely clueless in aquarium fish keeping......you better stop mislead people