DETAquarium Posted October 29, 2014 Report Share Posted October 29, 2014 I have been really contemplating purchasing some Mulberry Leaves, Dried Banana Leaves, Guava Leaves, etc. Just not really sure the outcome. Tell me about your experiences in using some of these leaves and/or natural products and what you recommend I try out. I currently just use IAL Leaves, Alder Cones, and Cholla Wood but want to expand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randy Posted October 29, 2014 Report Share Posted October 29, 2014 I use IAL and alder cones. Tried guava leaves and seems the same result as IAL. DETAquarium 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EricM Posted October 29, 2014 Report Share Posted October 29, 2014 I'd consider Mulberry Leaves, Dried Banana Leaves, Guava Leaves, more of a food, while IAL/Cattappa and alder cones more useful to the tank. here is a good article about the importance of leaf litter in shrimp tanks. http://www.britishreds.co.uk/importance-leaf-litter/ Desireenfh and DETAquarium 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mayphly Posted October 29, 2014 Report Share Posted October 29, 2014 Out of all those my shrimp go bonkers over mulberry leaves. Two min in the steamer and they're good to go. DETAquarium and EricM 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jadenlea Posted October 29, 2014 Report Share Posted October 29, 2014 Do the Alder cones turn the water brown ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ch3fb0yrdee Posted October 29, 2014 Report Share Posted October 29, 2014 Yes. It should release tannins into the water column which would indeed cause a tanning color. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EricM Posted October 29, 2014 Report Share Posted October 29, 2014 agreed, but typically because most alder cones are so many you'd need a large pile of them to change the color of the water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mamashack Posted October 29, 2014 Report Share Posted October 29, 2014 I use alder cones, banana leaves, cholla logs and guava leaves. Alder cones do turn the water brown but not unpleasantly so. Always worth checking the centres of cholla logs before putting them in the tank as I had one hollow one which was fine and one that was filled with all sorts of gubbins and stunk to high heaven and cause ammonia spikes (I think) I've known guava leaves be eaten right back to the skeleton by my amanos and snails. In fact the snails love the cones as well which end up looking like balls of spikes by the time they've done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ch3fb0yrdee Posted October 29, 2014 Report Share Posted October 29, 2014 Yah. I was going to add that most of the time your water wouldn't brown like it would if you were to add a piece of African driftwood. Adder cones are so small it's almost ornamental than anything else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soothing Shrimp Posted October 29, 2014 Report Share Posted October 29, 2014 My shrimp go gaga for Mulberry leaves. Too expensive to feed for me though, because $$$ would be gone in 1 feeding with so many tanks! LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
countryboy12484 Posted October 29, 2014 Report Share Posted October 29, 2014 My shrimp go gaga for Mulberry leaves. Too expensive to feed for me though, because $$$ would be gone in 1 feeding with so many tanks! LOLplant ya a couple mulberry bushes! Jadenlea and Soothing Shrimp 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jadenlea Posted October 29, 2014 Report Share Posted October 29, 2014 Thanks for the answer on the cones. I like my water to be nice and clear but after reading this thread I think I will definitely get some mulberry leaves from Han when I order my stainless steel prefilter. And Soothing, Country boy has a great suggestion! Plant your own mulberry bush! and the best part, you can use your tank water to fertilize them. I just read about them and it says the only fert they need are nitrates hehe. Simpatico! h4n and countryboy12484 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Archie1208 Posted October 30, 2014 Report Share Posted October 30, 2014 Are we simply talking about the mulberry tree leaf that is considered a trash tree in mid-Atlantic? Christ I have them everywhere - hate them - is that the tree? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mayphly Posted October 30, 2014 Report Share Posted October 30, 2014 Are we simply talking about the mulberry tree leaf that is considered a trash tree in mid-Atlantic? Christ I have them everywhere - hate them - is that the tree? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Sounds like it. There's a few different species of mulberry. From what I understand they are all ok for shrimp. If you want to do a RAOK I'd be more than happy to pay for the shipping. Soothing Shrimp, h4n, Desireenfh and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DETAquarium Posted October 30, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2014 Thank you all for your input. I usually soak my IAL, Alder Cones, and Cholla Wood for 2-3 days before introducing to my aquariums. This is just to avoid the tannins. I am very interested in trying the Mulberry and any other natural products that are primarily a food source for shrimp appose to a supplement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Archie1208 Posted October 31, 2014 Report Share Posted October 31, 2014 Crap - used to have three in back yard.... I will talk to my arborist (I'm a facilities director) and have him point out a couple a work. How many would would you expect in a typical order? I am def not going to charge those on this forum - you all have been incredibly nice to me. I just am not sure how many to pack or to just jam the packing envelope full. Somebody respond if you wish. I will need to get outside soon as we are going to get pretty chilly her over the weekend. FYI - at this moment - the offer is only for the US. And of course my ability to find a stash. But know we have them all over the place in Baltimore. I will do my best Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Desireenfh and EricM 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
countryboy12484 Posted October 31, 2014 Report Share Posted October 31, 2014 If ya find a stash i would be more than willing to pay shipping on some Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Archie1208 Posted October 31, 2014 Report Share Posted October 31, 2014 How many leaves would you be looking for. The disclaimer is buyer beware. I will pull from mulberry trees on my property or others that I am in charge of. To my knowledge nothing has ever been sprayed. I still do not know if these are the leaves that have been discussed. PM me with your address - like I implied - I am going to pull from tree and send so it is up to the receiver to preform any prep work they may want to do! Sound fair? Remember I am the newb here so if it's not what you had in mind at least the price is right. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Archie1208 Posted October 31, 2014 Report Share Posted October 31, 2014 Countryboy - you are in! I have to also include Han and Speedie if they want any. So we will see where this goes. How exciting ... My first RAOK! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EricM Posted October 31, 2014 Report Share Posted October 31, 2014 Thank you all for your input. I usually soak my IAL, Alder Cones, and Cholla Wood for 2-3 days before introducing to my aquariums. This is just to avoid the tannins. I am very interested in trying the Mulberry and any other natural products that are primarily a food source for shrimp appose to a supplement. while the tannis color isnt really desired by some, the tannis itself is very beneficial to the shrimp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soothing Shrimp Posted October 31, 2014 Report Share Posted October 31, 2014 I'd love to get in on this. Countryboy - you are in! I have to also include Han and Speedie if they want any. So we will see where this goes. How exciting ... My first RAOK!Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OMG Aquatics Posted October 31, 2014 Report Share Posted October 31, 2014 I would like some too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desireenfh Posted October 31, 2014 Report Share Posted October 31, 2014 So would I. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mamashack Posted October 31, 2014 Report Share Posted October 31, 2014 I feel like the little girl outside the locked sweetie shop who can only look in the window! lol :-( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Archie1208 Posted November 1, 2014 Report Share Posted November 1, 2014 You are all in - however we have had a cold spell - I will seRch some out tomorrow. You will have your fill next spring though - be sure of that - if I can't find any worth it Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk miwu and Pika 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.