Musa leaves in the Aquarium

[Phil_1983]

Hi fellow aquarists,

I hope you are doing well.

I just had an idea and wanted to ask whether you think it would be safe. I have a Musa basjoo plant in my bedroom. It is an offspring of another offspring from a plant I originally bought about four years ago. Sometimes the older leaves dry out completely, and I cut them off.

Do you think it would be safe to use these dried leaves in an aquarium? I assume there should not be any pesticide residues in them, right?

If it matters: I only water the plant with tank water or tap water.

Do you think this would be safe?

 

[Mike Wise]

My, those are a banana plant and have very large leaves. I can't find anything that mentions toxins but I doubt anyone has reported trying them in an aquarium. I guess the only way to be sure is to try some leaves in a tank with fish - and keep an eye out for adverse reactions.

 

[MacZ]

Dry, brown banana leaves work fine. Just make sure they are dry, brown and not mouldy.

 

[Phil_1983]

Thank you both.

 

[Eddy. E.]

Dried banana leaves contain valuable
tannins, apiin, and phytochemicals that have antibacterial and antifungal properties. As long as they are dried, no problem.

 

[Phil_1983]

Thank you! Then I will dry them further.