Using Sweet Chestnut

[BarrWarr]

Evening,

I quite like the idea and look of using leaves on the substrate and I’ve read the post on botanicals in the aquarium.

I have collected a bag full of fallen Sweet Chestnut leaves (all brown and dry, and also took some from the tree which were practically falling off) and I’m wondering if these are ok to place say half a dozen on my substrate? As my tank is only a month old, is that a factor?

The tank is probably medium planted and has Tropica soil substrate. There are dozens of bladder snails, a Nerite, some Ramshorn and an assassin snail.

Many thanks as always.

 

[shangman]

Yes sweet chestnut leaves are totally fine to use as botanicals, they're one of my favourites to use. I'm sure your shrimp and snails will find them quite delicious too. I'd start with a small handful (personally I just put them on the tpo of the tank dry and wait for them to sink over a day or two) and see how it goes, my crystal shrimps strip leaves in their tank rather quickly!

 

[BarrWarr]

That’s great, thanks. My tank is only 58l so I won’t fit many of the large leaves in (might have to rip some in half). Is there a way other than letting them sink naturally - I’ve read a quick boil would do but that may reduce some of the benefits?

 

[The Miniaturist]

I only have small tanks & small fish so big leaves like sweet chestnut & catappa would blot out most of the plants!
What I do is tear the leaves into suitably sized pieces, put them in a bowl & simply pour boiling water over them. A few hours later or overnight they are waterlogged enough to sink straight away & can be placed where you want them. I also pour the 'tea' left in the bowl straight into the tank for the tannins.

 

[BarrWarr]

Ah, ok, thanks. Prob a daft question but do I need to use dechlorinator if I pop them in a bowl with hot water?

 

[Maf 2500]

Not really any need for hot or boiling water, if you want to soak them first so they sink use a bowl of tank water. That's the easiest way.

 

[BarrWarr]

Yes sweet chestnut leaves are totally fine to use as botanicals, they're one of my favourites to use. I'm sure your shrimp and snails will find them quite delicious too. I'd start with a small handful (personally I just put them on the tpo of the tank dry and wait for them to sink over a day or two) and see how it goes, my crystal shrimps strip leaves in their tank rather quickly!

Forgot to ask, how much tannin do Sweet Chestnut release? I don’t want the water to be too dark but I am doing 50% WC twice a week so maybe it wouldn’t ever get that bad?

 

[tam]

They usually sink in under 24 hours, if you don't want them in the tank, just stick them in a jug of tank water and put the whole think back in once they've sunk. Or, if you have decor, you can usually find a spot to wedge them under water, pop a little pebble on top or a sprinkle of sand. Rip them smaller if they are a bit big, just do it roughly and they'll still look natural.

 

[The Miniaturist]

With 50% WC twice a week you should be able to fine tune the water colour by adding more or less botanicals.
One of the most strong in terms of colour are alder cones. I use one or maybe two in a small tank.
Hawthorn leaves are a nice size & shape but they don't last very long.

 

[Luciën]

Forgot to ask, how much tannin do Sweet Chestnut release? I don’t want the water to be too dark but I am doing 50% WC twice a week so maybe it wouldn’t ever get that bad?

I use sweet chestnut all the time, they last a bit longer if you don't boil them. And there are hardly any tannins coming of these leaves. If you ever want tannins you are better of using peat.