Collecting leaves and sticks outside

So I have oak and I think maple leaves (not a tree expert lol) I just know there hard wood trees and my dad said lots of oak and maple I live in the woods so it’s kind of hard to determine. Anyways is it ok if I get some leaves and boil them and put them in my tank? or is it dangerous
Or collect sticks from outside ^

 

Well i have thought of the same thing as you, lol once again same situation.

I have a maple tree in backyard and a month ago it dropped its leaves, ive collect probly 6 leaves just for a test, but i forgot them in my shed outside and havent used them in my tank yet, ill have to try soon. Ive heard from others in a thread i made that there fine in tanks just dont last as long as oak or IAL

Here is the thread i made:
Sourcing Tree Leaves For Aquariums | DIY - Do It Yourself Forum | 523645

Hope this helps, idk about using sticks, but this is what i know about leaves.

Best of luck

 

Yes, you usually can. In fact, I gather Scrub Oak leaves on hikes, boil them in the microwave for 2 minutes and throw em in the tank. I've never had a problem. Of course, you should never use green leaves as the high carb/fibre content will cause bacterial blooms and cloudy water, which is only really good for shrimp or snails, and may release potentially harmful oils that can cause suffocation, especially in labyrinth or other air-breathing fish. Just grab the brown, crinkly ones and you should be fine. Not too brown to where it's almost grey since that'll cause it to disintegrate quickly - just brown enough

 

You don’t need to add many leaves at one time. Start with say 6 in a ten gallon. You should collect as many as possible so you have enough for a year. They should be brown leaves and the should be stored dry.

I don’t microwave. But I have been using oak for a few years without problems.

I say no the sticks as they will be to green to use unless you dry them for a couple of years.

 

You don’t need to add many leaves at one time. Start with say 6 in a ten gallon. You should collect as many as possible so you have enough for a year. They should be brown leaves and the should be stored dry.

I don’t microwave. But I have been using oak for a few years without problems.

I say no the sticks as they will be to green to use unless you dry them for a couple of years.

Ok I’ll stick with leaves

 

Ok I’ll stick with leaves

Lol no pun intended, stick with leaves? U get what I mean?

 

I caved.... lol

 

I use magnolia leaves from my yard, no sprays in area for last 19 years I live here, so it's safe.

Boil 20 minutes, drain, store in a mason jar for 2 days sealed tight.

I've used them for 4 years this way, no bugs in tank etc

I leave them in the mason jar lid off so they dry out and are ready for use.

 

I use sticks and leaves picked up from outside as well. I bake them in the oven though. Too many bugs and larva otherwise

 

I use sticks and leaves picked up from outside as well. I bake them in the oven though. Too many bugs and larva otherwise

This is a dumb question lol but wouldn’t the leaves and sticks catch on fire in the oven?

 

I think you bake them for like 1-2mins

 

This is a dumb question lol but wouldn’t the leaves and sticks catch on fire in the oven?

I do 250 F for 20mins and it's low enough that they wont catch on fire. Of course, do this at your own discretion

 

Hmmm I might try it

 

I use magnolia leaves from my yard, no sprays in area for last 19 years I live here, so it's safe.

Boil 20 minutes, drain, store in a mason jar for 2 days sealed tight.

I've used them for 4 years this way, no bugs in tank etc

I leave them in the mason jar lid off so they dry out and are ready for use.

I use magnolia leaves, along with red oak, post oak, and sycamore, and I don't bake, boil, or otherwise cook them. I rinse them under the faucet and drop them in the tank. They'll float for about two days and then sink.

 

I use oak leaf and alder cones. I collect just once a year and dry them even further indoors. I have a cold soup running 365 days a year in a 5 gallon that also has IAL and rooibus tea bags. A little of the soup is added to every water change. Any time I feel like it I add dry leaf straight to the tank.

My belief is it’s got to be very very dry before you can store it .

Another interesting botanical is cinnamon bark. It makes great nat looking hides for cherry shrimp.

 

I've used sticks and leaves of all sorts in my tanks too. As long as people aren't spraying chemicals on them, it should be fine. Although, there are some toxic species of plants out there too (wild cherry trees come to mind), so it may be wise not to be too indiscriminate. Beech and oak leaves/sticks always seemed good.

Personally, I never bothered to boil or bake the leaves and sticks I've added. But, do whatever makes you comfortable.