good leaves to add to your tank with low tannin, or colors released

[Magnum Man]

I'm looking right at a well used almond leaf, in my South American Tetra tank, and right beside that tank, is my Hillstream tank... the Hillstream's could really benefit greatly from the leaves, but I'm trying not to stain that water, as I'm trying to keep as much algae growing for the Hillstream's as possible... ( I've heard Mullberry leaves are good ) not sure of their staining ability , but any suggestions for leaf types to add, that would grow the good stuff, without staining the water???

 

[GaryE]

Here, I add red oak leaves, which stain mildly. The goal with leaves is tannins, and tannins have colour. If you don't want tannins, then it's slate and well worn wood.

Maple leaves dissolve too quickly.

 

[WhistlingBadger]

I've used white oak and poplar/cottonwood. The latter adds no noticeable tannins to the water.

 

[Magnum Man]

ran across these Guava leaves...

Amazon.com

"

• Guava leaves produce less tannins than catappa leaves and last longer in the aquarium before breaking down. If you prefer a lighter tannin color try Guava leaves. They can be boiled for a few minutes to help them sink right away if you prefer. Shrimp will enjoy feeding on the leaves after being boiled for several minutes."

 

[MaloK]

Here you can find some inspiration:

Aquarium Botanicals for Sale in Canada | AquascapeRoom

aquascaperoom.ca

Aquarium Botanicals for Fish, Reptiles, Amphibians | Betta Botanicals – Betta Botanicals | Natural Aquarium Products

Discover the benefits of aquarium botanicals from Betta Botanicals 🍂. We provide ecosystem-building materials from around the globe for fish, reptiles and amphibians, for all aquarium hobbyists, beginners, and experts. Dive into the world of botanicals and discover that ours are a bit beh-tta...

bettabotanicals.com

Aquatic Botanicals

SOURCED FROM AROUND THE WORLD. HAND-CURATED IN LOS ANGELES, CA. No one can really claim to have “invented” the concept or process of adding leaves, seed pods, and wood into water…It’s something that has happened in nature for eons…In tropical areas of the world, most famously, the Amazon River...

tanninaquatics.com

 

[CassCats]

Tuliptree leaves are nice. Break down fast but leave very little tannins. Would also agree with Whistling Badger, cottonwood are also fantastic for less tannins.

An alternative, soak the leaves in a bucket and then add them to your tank, there'll be less tannins to soak in the tank

 

[connorlindeman]

Never pay for leaves.
These are oak leaves collected fall of 2023.

They are imo the best choice if you don't want heavily stained water.
These have been in the tank for almost 2 months now with almost no breakdown.

 

[FranciscoB]

I use Magnolia grandiflora leaves from my yard. Relatively long lasting, and not that much staining of the water. Oak works well too.

 

[Innesfan]

Beech leaves, both European and American, work well for me.

 

[Magnum Man]

I have been planting Northern Red Oak on the farm the last decade, as they hold their leaves until spring... so it would be easy to gather some clean dry leaves, I might as well give them a try...