Foliage in the aquarium: oak leaves and beech leaves

Leaves and oak leaves in the aquarium: The imitation of nature is in the Aquaristics one of the top priorities. Be it in terms of living space or the Feeding the ornamental fish. With Foliage in the aquarium there are a number of ways to get one step closer to nature. You can find out what these can be here. Not just as a dietary supplement for shrimp, snails or some catfish species serves foliage in the aquarium, but also for influencing the water values, for the Reproduction and foliage in the aquarium can also be used for various hiding places. It is a free opportunity to make the habitat of the ornamental fish species-appropriate.

 

Which foliage is actually suitable for the aquarium?

Before we talk about the individual advantages and applications in the aquarium, let's take a look at which foliage is actually suitable. The most common way is the introduction of oak leaves. One of the reasons here is certainly the availability, because oak leaves can be found everywhere in the forest. You can even get to the city park Oak leaves. Of course you can also put beech leaves in the aquarium. This type is also very common. Who chestnut trees in the area can also collect leaves here. It also applies after Walnut, alder or maple leaves to keep an eye out. In addition, still can Birch leaves get interesting. We would not put any other leaves into the aquarium without hesitation. Let's briefly summarize the most important types:

 

 

Collect, clean and dry leaves

Of course, there are also plenty of reeds that can already be bought in the trade. These are usually dried and broken up into small pieces. But you don't have to buy these leaves, you can also go on a search in the local forests yourself. This is not only possible in autumn, but all year round, because you can also dry leaves as long as they are still fresh. Of course you should pay attention to a few things before adding the leaves to your aquarium. Incidentally, we recommend not making them small, but putting them in the tank as a whole.

 

Check carefully for fungus and other contaminants

Before leaves should come into the aquarium, it is important to examine them carefully. If you find any fungi or extreme contamination, these leaves do not belong in the tank. Leaves from the roadside should not necessarily be put in the aquarium either, as they are usually very highly contaminated with pollutants. We recommend looking for leaves during a walk in the forest and collecting them. Here you can usually find any of the species that we have already described above.

 

Examine leaves carefully and clean if necessary

Once you have collected the leaves, you need to examine them carefully. Be it on certain pests or on Fungal attack and Impurities. Many aquarists then scald the collected leaves from the forest with hot water. On the one hand, this has the advantage that pests and impurities are killed, but unfortunately also the disadvantage that certain microorganisms that shrimp, fish and co are happy about are also killed. Everyone has to decide for themselves how to deal with it. We would advise against a complete decoction.

 

Influencing the water parameters with leaves

Now let's move on to the various effects that foliage could have in the aquarium. Especially at oak extracts, as is also known from oak cones, there can be a change in the water values. The Total hardness and also the carbonate hardness can be reduced accordingly by the introduction of leaves. This also has the effect that the pH value changes. This is usually also lower. You should therefore know exactly whether it is okay for the residents in the tank if these values ​​change, or whether they may not tolerate it at all. That's why it's important to know the profiles exactly.

 

 

Leaves in the aquarium as a hiding place

Now let's move on to the many benefits that foliage brings. Foliage is not only a visual enrichment in the aquarium, but also provides a kind of retreat and various hiding places for the many small inhabitants in the aquarium. Shrimp especially love this. Therefore, you should always bring leaves into the aquarium and preferably as whole leaves.

 

Foliage in the aquarium as food

In addition to the possibility of the fish and inhabitants of the aquarium hiding places offer with leaves, leaves also serve as a food source. Fish, catfish and shrimp love foliage. Snails also enjoy a portion of leaves. This can therefore be given again and again in order to be able to offer the fish enough variety. The above-mentioned measures of the exact examination of the foliage are also important here. Also, you should never give moist and wet leaves, only dry ones.

 

Humic substances for strengthening the immune system

In addition to the feed mentioned and the possible hiding places, be it for spawning or simply to have a place of retreat, there is also an effect of the foliage, which affects the emergence of humic substances is due. According to current studies, this substance is said to increase the immune powers of fish mean. This gives you another advantage of what foliage can bring to the aquarium. So let's summarize the main benefits:

 

 

Foliage rots differently

It should also be noted that depending on the type and origin, leaves take different amounts of time to rot. This should be noted. If leaves are in the status of rotting, then mulm develops on the aquarium floor, which is also eaten with great pleasure. But if you are more afraid of it, then we recommend removing the leaves from the aquarium in good time to avoid possible pollution of the water.

Foliage can also color the water accordingly. Again and again you see this in Amazon basins or black water basins. Surely everyone has their own taste when it comes to optics. However, many fish love this and know it mainly from their natural environment.