sweet gum leaves aquarium safe?

[ErtyJr]

Hey guys so I will be adding leaf litter to a tank soon, and I found a bunch of sweet gum leaves but I can't figure out anywhere if they are safe. I know you guys have a bit of knowledge about it. Anyone know?

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

Hey guys so I will be adding leaf litter to a tank soon, and I found a bunch of sweet gum leaves but I can't figure out anywhere if they are safe. I know you guys have a bit of knowledge about it. Anyone know?

If "Sweet Gum" is Liquidamber styraciflua? I used them without any problem, but they decomposed relatively quickly.

We don't have a tree on campus any more, so I haven't had another go with them.

cheers Darrel

 

[gerald]

Yes sweetgum leaves are fine, but as Darrel says they dont last long. Oaks last longer, especially the thicker-leaf species. I like post oak (Q. stellata), blackjack oak (Q. marylandica), and southern red (Q. falcata) for Apisto habitat structure, because they're fairly stiff and often curled, so they make good caves.

 

[ErtyJr]

Thanks guys for the quick responses, I'm not sure of the scientific name for it(will check at lunch in a few moments) but the sweet gum I'm referring to drops little spiky balls.

Edit-Indeed that was the tree I was talking about. Does these leaf produce a good amount of humic substance(can you tell I reread a certain article recently?)? I ha e a second leaf I will try to I'd in a moment and see if it's any good.

 

[ErtyJr]

Yes sweetgum leaves are fine, but as Darrel says they dont last long. Oaks last longer, especially the thicker-leaf species. I like post oak (Q. stellata), blackjack oak (Q. marylandica), and southern red (Q. falcata) for Apisto habitat structure, because they're fairly stiff and often curled, so they make good caves.

How do you like white oak and nothern red oak? That's what I have around me here in pa

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

How do you like white oak and nothern red oak? That's what I have around me here in pa

I think all Oaks (Quercus) are good. Magnolia is another good leaf, the deciduous ones (M x soulangeana etc.) skeletonize quickly, but Magnolia grandiflora makes really good structural leaf litter. If you have a look on Dart frog keeping forums there should be suggestions for safe leaves you can use.

Does these leaf produce a good amount of humic substance(can you tell I reread a certain article recently?)? I have a second leaf I will try to I'd in a moment and see if it's any good.

Oaks are good for "humic substances. <"All the leaves are brown"> for the article?

<Alder "cones"> (Alnus spp.) are another source really rich in tannins, you should have Smooth Alder (Alnus serratula) and Speckled Alder (A. incana)), via Gerald's post in the linked thread..

cheers Darrel

 

[ErtyJr]

Hi all, I think all Oaks (Quercus) are good. Magnolia is another good leaf, the deciduous ones (M x soulangeana etc.) skeletonize quickly, but Magnolia grandiflora makes really good structural leaf litter. If you have a look on Dart frog keeping forums there should be suggestions for safe leaves you can use.
Oaks are good for "humic substances. <"All the leaves are brown"> for the article?

<Alder "cones"> (Alnus spp.) are another source really rich in tannins, you should have Smooth Alder (Alnus serratula) and Speckled Alder (A. incana)), via Gerald's post in the linked thread..

cheers Darrel

Thanks a ton for all the info darrell. And yea that was the article =P. I forgot all about it but you recently linked it somewhere and I reread it yesterday.

I will have to keep an eye out for some alder cones.