Alder Cones And Oak Leaves

[minnnt]

Got myself some Alder cones and some Oak leaves to put in my filter. Where about should i put them? Top, middle or bottom?

 

[Juggler75]

Sorry i've only ever put them into the tank itself so I can watch for degredation.

 

[minnnt]

Yeah that was my worry... I plan on removing them and swapping them every week or two so guessed it would be ok?

 

[BigbruiserAl]

soak the oak leaves in some tank water for a or they just float on top of the filter/water

 

[minnnt]

This was why i was wondering whether to sandwich them inbetween two sponges? Will probably put them in my 305 as i am replacing my TT ex1200 woth a Hydor Prime 30

 

[Juggler75]

Ooh, is this the first tetratec user to abandon ship?

 

[minnnt]

Nope, it's being put on my bigger tank to run along side its sibling. I will be running a Fluval 305 and a Hydor Prime 30 on my 180.

 

[Dieses Madchen]

What do okay leave and alder cones do for the tank? (never hear of using them in the filter)

 

[minnnt]

Lowers ph a little, helps to soften the water and also releases a few tannins... I think

 

[Dieses Madchen]

Oh okay lol. I now know something new if I ever need a natural water softener.

 

[nurglespuss]

If I were you I would try and find a little fine-mesh net bag to put the things in, and either, suspend that in your tank, or put it in your filter (though I would be worried about it clogging your filter fairly quickly with tat flow going through it.... ) if you want to lower your pH how about peat pack for the filter?

 

[minnnt]

I had all intentions of netting them in some old tights... (Not mine Mine are all new... )

The main reason is that these were on the floor outside

 

[nurglespuss]

LOL!

Maybe just use the cones then? they can act like filter media too

 

[minnnt]

Haha... Did i mention i was tight?

Not wanting a full on black water tank, just something with a nice tinge. I would add a piece of mopani, but the water would be bright yellow within an hour.

 

[kyleb2003]

You could put the alder cones directly into one of the filter baskets (in tights, of course), but I was recommended by the person that sold them to me to pour boiling water over them and leave for about half an hour (like a week's worth of cones) and add that water to the tank when you do a water change. Works well for the tannins not sure about softening/pH though. Saves getting into your filter all the time. Could also put the oak leaves behind something in some tights under a stone to keep them down so you can't see them from the front but can access them easily.