Oak leaves

[LuckyBlue]

Could someone please tell me how to use oak leaves in the water...or direct me to a place where someone has discussed this before...

Thanks so much,

I've done the 10 day salt treatment for LuckyBlue's fins. He seems active enough, but the fins are still not good.

[Oldfishlady]

Collect naturally dried and fall from the tree Oak leaf

For a general tonic-use 2-3 leaves/gallon-change as needed

For medication-20 crushed leaves/gallon

With heavy stained water-be sure your replacement water is also tannin stained.

When used as a tonic- pre-tannin stained water is not needed with partial water changes-but best to use pre-tannin stained water with 100% or a slow acclimation to the new chemistry.

[LuckyBlue]

how long do I soak them or do I leave the leaf crumbles in the water?

thanks

[Oldfishlady]

It depends on what you are wanting to do.

If its for a treatment-use a 1gal jug of dechlorinated water and add the crushed Oak leaves to it. Allow them to steep for at least 30min before you use it.
The longer they steep-the more tannins released-the darker the water.
I don't worry about the leaf bits in the water with the Betta-especially with treatment in a QT container-Often the leaf bit will help the Betta feel more secure and provide some microorganism to feed on.

To use as a tonic-I add the leave whole to the tank for the gradual release of the tannins. By adding them whole it makes removing and replacing easier.
I usually leave the decaying leaves in my tanks-but I also keep soil based planted tanks and I want the decomp since this creates natural CO2 for the plants as well as nutrients to the soil itself. In regular inert substrate-usually you will want to remove the leaves as they start to break down on a regular basis.

[LuckyBlue]

I'm wondering how long it might take for fins to get better.

LuckyBlue is certainly getting around even jumping for food, so I know he feels fairly well, however his fins are still rather bad. Stuck together. It seems that maybe they are less stuck together closer to his body than before.

I'm continuing with the oak leaves at this point.