HelloUnderwaterWorld Posted July 17, 2016 Report Share Posted July 17, 2016 Hey all, and thanks for helping. I am going to put some leaves in my shrimp tank so they could feed off the microorganisms. What kind of leaves can I use? I live in the country so in my yard there are oak, apple, peach, elm, and pecan trees. I was also wondering if leaves from blueberry bushes would work as well. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vpier Posted July 17, 2016 Report Share Posted July 17, 2016 As long as you know your leaves are free of chemicals like insecticides then leaves from your oak works great but they need to be dried. Not sure about the other leaves. I use IAL, guava, banana and mulberry. Mr. F 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ohmiko Posted July 17, 2016 Report Share Posted July 17, 2016 I know you can use Raspberry, blackberry, peach, cherry, guava, indian almond leaves, teak leaves, spinach, kale, stinging nettle, mulberry, bamboo, banana, oak, and walnut. I asked @ravensgate about this and she was very informative! Ask her questions! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HelloUnderwaterWorld Posted July 18, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 18, 2016 Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ravensgate Posted July 23, 2016 Report Share Posted July 23, 2016 Two different reasons to feed leaves - biofilm / food - Many dried leaves are often used as a place for biofilm to grow and as the leaves soften and the shrimp eat the biofilm the leaves also get eaten. This can happen over days/weeks/months. I have some tanks that have had the same IAL leaf in there for two months and just barely nibbled on but the shrimp feed on the biofilm at all times. IAL, Oak, Teak, bamboo, banana and Guava leaves are examples of leaves used for biofilm Leaves that are treated more as food by shrimp and are eaten typically within 48-72 hours are your fruit tree leaves such as peach, cherry, raspberry, mulberry, etc. Of course kale and spinach are good veggie leaves for them. Stinging nettle, kale and spinach are used for their high calcium content. Kale is higher than spinach and if I remember my research correctly stinging nettle is higher than either of them. These type of veggie leaves can aid in molting. I feed fresh leaves of mulberry, stinging nettle, kale and spinach. These seem to be tank favorites for my crew. They also loves dried green walnut leaves which I keep in the tanks for their antibacterial qualities. ohmiko and Tlhn97 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shrimple minded Posted July 23, 2016 Report Share Posted July 23, 2016 Has anyone used strawberry leaves? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
35ppt Posted July 24, 2016 Report Share Posted July 24, 2016 You can find the nutrient data on a lot of those leaves. people seem to use blueberry leaves to make tea, so they could probably be used for shrimp. I will also add lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) to the list, my shrimp *really* like it. Member of the mint family, so keep it under control! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. F Posted July 25, 2016 Report Share Posted July 25, 2016 Loquat and magnolia are good ones too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ohmiko Posted July 25, 2016 Report Share Posted July 25, 2016 4 minutes ago, Mr. F said: Loquat and magnolia are good ones too. How do you harvest the magnolia leaves? Can I pick it from the tree? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. F Posted July 25, 2016 Report Share Posted July 25, 2016 How do you harvest the magnolia leaves? Can I pick it from the tree? Usually you collect fallen tree leaves. The leaves of bushes can more often be cut and dried. ohmiko 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barvinok Posted August 2, 2016 Report Share Posted August 2, 2016 Are broad leaf plantain safe for shrimp? Did anybody tried it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EricM Posted August 2, 2016 Report Share Posted August 2, 2016 https://www.discobee.com/blogs/news/15655129-benefits-of-leaf-litter-in-dwarf-shrimp-tanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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