oak leaves question

[cubsfan]

I have heard of people putting oak leaves in their tanks, and I think that it looks really cool, but I have a question. How often do you need to replace the leaves to prevent your tank from having a nasty pile of rotting leaf matter at the bottom? Thanks for any advice or experience with using oak leaves.

 

[farm41]

Mine last for 3-4 months.

 

[Nain]

Oak Leaves in Tank

I have been trying to breed A. steindachneri for several years without results. My male killed 2 females and after a long wait I traded for a female at my fish club. I put about 2 inches of oak leaves in the tank (10 gallons) with the male and then introduced the female. Immediately she disappeared under the leaves and I did not see her for almost 2 months. Now and then the leaves would move ... it looked like the scene in the garbage compactor in Star Wars, that was the only way I knew she was alive. The food did keep disappearimng.

Then a large school of fry appeared and the female came out to herd them around the tank. The fry are about 6 weeks old now and she has disappeared for the last week. I expect a new lot of fry this week. The pH is at 6.0 (approx) and the water is coloured like weak tea.

 

[MikeR]

Nain:

That is very interesting! I one doesn't have access to oak leaves, is there a reasonable substitute?

Mike

 

[Xanathos]

Almond leaves do wonders, too, but are a bit more expansive than oak leaves...

I also had very good experiences with oak leaves.

Phil