Oak Tannin?

[Sarahlydear]

So I was told I could use oak leaves as a tannin, but before I throw anything into my tank I wanted to make sure I was doing it right.
What I was told was to wash them off, grind them up, and just put the pieces in the tank. Is this right?

Thanks for any help!

[LittleBettas]

Yup, they work great, just rinse tem off with warm water, rip them up (size doesnt matter) and toss them in

[Sarahlydear]

Maky I may try that when I move this Friday. :) Thanks.

[Oldfishlady]

Naturally dried and fallen from the tree Oak leaf is a great tannin source-be sure the leaves are in a pesticide free location.....

Don't use Green leaves.....

Tannins for the tank-you may want to leave them intact so that you can remove and replace them easier-unless its an unfiltered tank that receives 100% water changes anyway..then it doesn't matter if you crush or use intact.......

If this is a filtered tank-remove the activated carbon-or the carbon will remove the tannins

Depending on how dark you want the water and depending on the size of the tank...start with 3-4 dried leaves and remove when the water is the color you want-be sure to use them in the replacement water used for water changes

For treatment-use a 1gal jug of dechlorinated water-Add 10-12 crushed per gallon of water...

The longer the leaves steep the more tannins released the dark the water.....

[LittleBettas]

^
A great ay to have the tannis but less of the mess is to put the leaves in a CLEAN panty-hose leg/foot and then place that in the water, the leaves get soaked and can tannis gets out but this way you can remove the leaves simply by taking the panty-hose out, rincing REALLY well, then adding new leaves

**also be careful that pesticides are not used in your area**

[Sarahlydear]

No pesticides, my dad is the city worker and only sprays when he absolutely has to and never around our house (he's worried about the dogs :P)

The tank is a 10gal, but I will probably pre-soak a gallon and when I put them in the jars to travel I'll fill the jars with the tannin water and put a few leaves in the 10gal when we get there.

Both my filters broke and I decided it wasn't worth it to get another one; I have student loans to do. I have all live plants and do a water change every week also it's cycled.

Is darker better?