Tea...

[madgap]

Just wondering. I was told that you can use black tea as a feed for house plants every once in a while. Cold, obviously.
So, I couldn't help thinking, would it be a bad idea to pour in a cold cup of black sugerless tea into my tank every so often. Or, would it be harmful?
The reason I wonder this is, ferts can cost quite alot, were as tea bags are cheap. And if they'd do the same job...

 

[The-Wolf]

hmm, odd but good question
all I'll say is
what effect would the caffeine have on the fish? given that (black) tea has more caffeine per ounce than coffee

 

[Mo_loves_fish]

Hmm im not sure. You could try taking a plant out and isolate it. and use the tea bag on it. But i wouldnt do it in the fish tank. You never know the out come. Try googling it.

 

[madgap]

Thanks.
Anyone else have any comments?
Don't just leave this at Tea. Any other unconventional fert idea you may have?

 

[madgap]

Someone must have some ideas?

 

[Dave Spencer]

Aquatic plants have certain basic nutrient requirements, so the only thing you will be doing that is unconventional will be using a different source of these nutrients.

You will, of course, have to do some research regarding levels of nutrients and, therefore, how much to add. You are also going to need to monitor your fish very closely. Still, you never know, you may find something cheaper and more complete than using PMDD, but that will take some doing.

My guess is that results using tea will be negligible, but you may find a species of plant that responds well to some particular element present in tea. Personally, I like my water crystal clear.

Dave.

 

[madgap]

Thank you for your reply. I, like you, enjoy a crystal clear tank. But when I put some King British Plant Food in my tank, yesterday, I noticed that it was brown. Not at all unlike tea.
I don't know how to begin, but I will look into the alternatives.
I also heard that nettle juice is a brilliant fertilizer too.... Another one to look into.

 

[madgap]

hmm, odd but good question
all I'll say is
what effect would the caffeine have on the fish? given that (black) tea has more caffeine per ounce than coffee

I didn't give the caffeine a thought. But what about caffeine free tea?
.

 

[chelbel]

hmm, odd but good question
all I'll say is
what effect would the caffeine have on the fish? given that (black) tea has more caffeine per ounce than coffee

I didn't give the caffeine a thought. But what about caffeine free tea?
.

Makes you think doesn't it
Have you got a hospital or other that you could experiment in???

 

[madgap]

Unfortunately not.
I don't know when I can set oe up either, Because it would have to simulate a full working tank. First, fishless. Depending on results it would have to continue with fish.

 

[Dave Spencer]

You may be interested to know that some plants ie Egeria densa, Lemna minor, Vallisneria spiralis..... use caffeine as an allelochemical.

Dave.

 

[eschaton]

One issue I can think of is I'm pretty sure tea has a fairly low PH (5.5), so adding enough to your tank could cause the same effect as concentrated blackwater extract.

 

[madgap]

Would it be a significant drop adding just one cup to three hundred litres once every week or every fortnight?

 

[OohFeeshy]

I've experimented with teabags as a source of tannins (as a cheaper alternative to indian almond leaves), and there weren't any effects on the fish (this was in much higher concentrations than you'd be using). No harm in trying it, if you want to get rid of it just stick a bit of carbon in.