leaf litter as addition to substrate

[smaug]

Im looking for input from anyone who has actually used oak leaves for a leaf litter type bottom.I have seen some tanks that have this and it is a very interesting addition.

[smaug]

ok,I guess there were not alot of thoughts on this.Well I did it anyway,yesterday.I used maple leaves and 2 or 3 oak leaves.I boiled them for 15 minutes and put them in.They were an instant hit with my bottom hunters.The corys were all over them and the knife is in his element now.Within 3 hours the water was already stained an amber color and this morning it is like very weak tea,that is ok as that is the effect I have wanted all along.Supposedly this will help bring down my overall hardness which should help all my inhabitants especially the plants.My ph has dropped a bit but not alot,I think .1 so far.Here is a before after pic,1st one is without leaves
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This affect was done with only a handfull of leaves.

[tropfish]

It gives it a nice jungle amazon tint! Looks good! And once again let me comment on how beautiful your tank is!

[gm72]

I don't think leaves will bring down your hardness. The problem with adding leaves is that they will eventually start to decay, but I guess you could get rid of the resulting gunk by vacuuming the gravel.

[smaug]

My thoughts on debris is that I will take the old out before they fall apart totally.I am dubious on the hardness level dropping as well.I have read as much as I could about this on other sites and it is one of the claims,time will tell.
Thanks again tropfish:22:

[gm72]

I don't understand how, chemically, it would drop the hardness? It would have to be absorptive in nature? Don't get me wrong, I'm not criticizing, I just don't understand how leaves would drop hardness. Can you point me to some of your research? Very curious about this.

[smaug]

I wouldnt call this research,just another fish guys advice,heres a link.
[Only Registered Users Can See Links.].
I think I have at least one more hold on.It is the terra incog.post

[gm72]

Interesting. Do you have a gH test kit? I'd be interested to see if it actually works that way.

[smaug]

I know what my gh was before I started,in a week or so Ill check it and see what,if anything has happened.

[smaug]

gm asked:I don't understand how, chemically, it would drop the hardness? It would have to be absorptive in nature? Don't get me wrong, I'm not criticizing, I just don't understand how leaves would drop hardness. Can you point me to some of your research? Very curious about this.
If this indeed does work I dont think it would be from a chemical reaction as much as an absorbtive one.Possible the leached tannins are attaching themselves to the hardening propertys and then being removed that way?

[smaug]

here is another article with a reference to softening with leaf litter,it is a passing reference though
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[gm72]

Must be related to how the leaves bring down the pH then from what I am thinking? Darnit, I should have paid more attention in Chemistry class years and years ago! :c1:

[Incredulous_Ed]

I do believe certain leafs lower the ph and gh the same say driftwood does. Also, suckermouth catfish like to eat the leaves. It gives them the roughage they need in their diet.

Also, an even better way to lower levels using oak leaves is to boil 10 to 15 of them in a small pot until the water becomes very brown. Then wait for it to completely cool and add some of the stained water to the tank. Be careful with this because it an also lower it too much too fast.