Leaf Liter

[sawickib]

Hey just wandering whats a good leaf to have along the floor, i have catappa leaves, is this the best leaf to cover the floor with?

 

[Tongue_Flicker]

Catappa, mangrove leaves, sea hibiscus and bald cypress leaves have proved their worth to me as nice leaf litter substrate both for dry and submerged setups. You could test other dried leaves by boiling them and blanching them to remove remaining plant toxins, killing whatever microscopic hitch hikers there are or to see if they will stain the water heavily and stay submerged.

 

[DrRob]

Oak is generally a good offering if you have one near you.

 

[sawickib]

Well im in SW Florida, so the tree i have is pine, palm and mangrove, so ill try mangroves, so to prepare these you just boil them our do you let them dry out first.