Bay Leaves In The Aquarium?

[wrightt3]

My parents recently purchased an allotment which came with several bay leaf bushes. I was wondering if the dried leaves would be aquarium safe.
I want to add a leaf litter effect to my blackwater tank but the Indian almond leaves I am currently using are too large and expensive. If bay leaves could be used instead that would be great!
 
Any replies to this would be appreciated

 

[attibones]

Is it an ornamental or the edible bay? Ornamentals (species of laurel) are highly toxic. I'm not sure about the edible sort though.

 

[wrightt3]

I didn't even know there was an ornamental species. I'm not dead so I guess that must mean it's edible.

 

[attibones]

Do the leaves smell like herb bay leaves? Is worry about the fragrance in the water, but it might not be a bad thing.

 

[the_lock_man]

I don't know categorically, but I wouldn't risk it.
 
I understood that bay leaves were toxic, and you don't actually eat the leaves for that reason.

 

[tunagirll]

Add a little salt and turn the heat up

 

[TwoTankAmin]

Proceed at your ow risk, but:
 

 
Aquarium Pharmaceuticals
PIMAFIX
Treats 946 gallons!

*All Natural! Extracted from West India Bay Leaves
*Rapidly treats fungal infections on body and fins.
*Shown to be effective for the treatment of Flexbacter (columnaris).
*Safe for delicate fresh and saltwater fish.
*Can be used with Melafix
*Safe for Plants
 
PIMAFIX is a patented formula derived from Pimenta racemosa (West Indian Bay Tree), a proven natural antifungal.

 
 
Wiki says:

 
Pimenta racemosa is a species of plant in the myrtle family (Myrtaceae) that is native to the Caribbean region. Common names include West Indian bay tree,[2]bay rum tree,[2] and ciliment. It is used in cooking and an essential oil is distilled to produce a fragrant cologne called bay rum; although bay rum is essentially rum, the concentrated essential oil is toxic and renders the product undrinkable.[3

http/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pimenta_racemosa

 

[fluttermoth]

I wouldn't risk it either; wait until autumn and you can collect any number of safe leaves in the UK. Oak, beech and sycamore are all really common.

 

[wrightt3]

I guess I'll play it safe and avoid using them. If I were to use other leaves as fluttermoth suggested, why would I have to wait until autumn? wouldn't picking them and leaving them to dry for a few days achieve the same thing? Thanks for the replies anyhow, you've all been really helpful

 

[TwoTankAmin]

you want dead leaves.

 

[fluttermoth]

you want dead leaves.

Exactly.

Dead leaves are not the same as leaves that are dried. As summer ends, the trees reabsorb some of the minerals/nutrients etc from the leaves and you need to let that happen before you use them.

 

[wrightt3]

Ah okay then, thanks for the advice!

 

[the_lock_man]

 

you want dead leaves.

Exactly.

Dead leaves are not the same as leaves that are dried. As summer ends, the trees reabsorb some of the minerals/nutrients etc from the leaves and you need to let that happen before you use them.
 

 
Wow. I have just learnt something new.