Leaf Litter Is It Safe?

So I am hopefully going to have my Goldie babies next week and I am wondering if leaf litter along the bottom of the tank would be fine? I love the natural looks in my tanks and I have used almond, oak, and maple leafs in the past that I sanitized in boiling water and rinsing a lot by alternating between boiling and cold water. I am just wondering if it it could work for goldfish too.

 

Why not? Goldfish are more or less Carp. A fish that thrives in about any water condition mother nature provides.
I know a lot of people in the hobby advocate boiling leafs & driftwood, but in most cases a good rinsing or soaking is all that is really required. IMO, The over sterilization weakens the decor, shortening its usefulness in the tank.

 

As long as you know the place you collect from is safe, yes go ahead and add it. It'll increase the infusoria, which increases the survival rate, and the tannins will decrease bacterial and fungal diseases

 

I bake them

 

I just gather oak leaves and boil them or microwve them for a few minutes for insant tannins and then pour it all in the tank. Sterilizes the leaves and instant tannins and starts breaking the leaves down. The fish LOVE it.

 

1 bag stored, 1 to go

 

I don't boil or rinse my leafs .
Just collect them from safe area..
They make great cover for fry along with the other benefits .