First question on here. Wondering about botanicals?

Hey guys! I've been wondering using botanicals would be beneficial for my tank. It's a 55gal. planted with Amazon sword, Hornwort, Fanwort, Duckweed, and a few other plant species and various woods, spider, cholla, and cork bark.
My stocking is one Delta betta, 6 Long-fin Zebra Danios, 9 Yoyo loaches, 2 Clown plecos, and somewherearound 10 Kuhli loaches. Are all of these fish able to live in tannin rich water?
I've read you can do Indian almond leaves, seed pods etc. somewhere I saw someone used oak leaves? Are these safe? Specifically post oak, I have two in my yard.

I'm also concerned about the botanicals lowering my ph or alkalinity too much?

Any advice is welcomed

 

Are all of these fish able to live in tannin rich water?

Yes! Especially the loaches and the catfish.

I'm also concerned about the botanicals lowering my ph or alkalinity too much?

Here you find everything you need to know for starters.
I know, it's about blackwater, but the basics are also important to know for botanical method aquariums.
Unless you use RO, distilled, DI or rainwater, botanicals rarely have significant influence on the parameters.

Are these safe? Specifically post oak, I have two in my yard.

Generally the rule is:
Deciduous tree, dead brown leaves - safe
Deciduous tree, dried green leaves - only small quantities as food for shrimp and snails
Evergreen plants - not safe!
Coniferous trees - not safe!

And by location:
Countryside backyards, woodlands and forests are safe, suburb/small town backyards and parks to a degree if there are no pesticides or other chemicals used (next to a garage or workshop). And ultimately inner cities, roadsides, next to crop fields and landfills are absolutely no-go.

 

Some botanicals I use are acorn caps, alder cones and beech nut husk.

 

Yes! Especially the loaches and the catfish.


Here you find everything you need to know for starters.
I know, it's about blackwater, but the basics are also important to know for botanical method aquariums.
Unless you use RO, distilled, DI or rainwater, botanicals rarely have significant influence on the parameters.


Generally the rule is:
Deciduous tree, dead brown leaves - safe
Deciduous tree, dried green leaves - only small quantities as food for shrimp and snails
Evergreen plants - not safe!
Coniferous trees - not safe!

And by location:
Countryside backyards, woodlands and forests are safe, suburb/small town backyards and parks to a degree if there are no pesticides or other chemicals used (next to a garage or workshop). And ultimately inner cities, roadsides, next to crop fields and landfills are absolutely no-go.

Thanks for all the info! The oaks aren't near any farming fields so they should be safe.

 

How close to the next street? Any other pollution?

 

How close to the next street? Any other pollution?

No, were like almost a mile from the road, the surrounding fields have never been farmed in as far as I know.
I was also wondering, I have mahogany seed pods that I originally bought for my parrots but they don't like them, far too firm, I have like 20 that have never been of any use, are they safe for the tank? It's not the actual soft seed pod itself but the outer layer.

 

No, were like almost a mile from the road, the surrounding fields have never been farmed in as far as I know.

Ok, safe then.

It's not the actual soft seed pod itself but the outer layer.

If it's only the husk and not the seed itself it should work. Start with one and see what happens and how fast it decomposes. To make it sink quicker you can boil or steep it. for a while.

 

Ok, safe then.


If it's only the husk and not the seed itself it should work. Start with one and see what happens and how fast it decomposes. To make it sink quicker you can boil or steep it. for a while.

Ok good. I boiled the oak leaves and twigs.

 

Leaves and twigs only have to be steeped, not boiled. You extract most of the stuff you want in the water that way. Just pour some boiling water over, let it sit until cooled and then you can add the leaves and twigs to the tank. Only bigger stuff like seedpods has to be boiled to sink faster.

 

Some botanicals I use are acorn caps, alder cones and beech nut husk.

I've used sweetgum pods also (in addition to leaves).

 

Leaves and twigs only have to be steeped, not boiled. You extract most of the stuff you want in the water that way. Just pour some boiling water over, let it sit until cooled and then you can add the leaves and twigs to the tank. Only bigger stuff like seedpods has to be boiled to sink faster.

Whoops, lol. I let them boil for maybe 10 seconds, I should've known better, I make herbal tea all the time.

 

I let them boil for maybe 10 seconds

Doesn't count, then. When someone says boil I expect about 10+ minutes roaring boil on the stove top.