Are English Oak leaves safe.

[Chinadog]

Does anyone know if fallen English Oak (Quercus rober) leaves are safe to use on the bottom of an aquatic set up? I collected some the other day to use in my terrestrial juvie C pyrrhogaster tubs and I'd like to put some in the adult's aquatic tank for them to hide under if they're safe.
Cheers in advance for any help.

 

[jAfFa CaKe]

I think they are safe. Most of the time it's what's got onto the leave than the leaf itself. I have used oak leaves in my axolotl tank to help with a fungus problem, it's supposed to soothe the skin.

 

[Chinadog]

Cheers Jake, if the axolotls don't mind them, I think I'll give them a go. I did know that people add Oak leaves of some kind help with fungus, I just wasn't sure that it meant actual Oak tree leaves, or some other kind of plant called Oak.

 

[Bellabelloo]

I use them in various tanks, aquatic and terrestrial. I don't use any that have come from trees close to roads though.

 

[sde]

Oak leaves contain tannins ( which is the soothing part ), that can discolor water. That is a effect you may not want. I know a person has had success with Notophthalmus ( which can be tricky to keep alive )by putting oak leaves in the tank, in addition to aged water an plants. So it could have some benefit to the health of amphibians even when they aren't sick. -Seth

 

[Chinadog]

Thanks, that's just what I needed to know.

 

[Azhael]

I have heard rumours about oak leaves sifting pH levels, but i expect that should only be a problem if you use a lot. As long as you use them in moderation and do regular water changes, i don't think there's much reason to worry.
If you have access to beech leaves i would recommend them instead.

 

[Chinadog]

Oh, ok. I don't need to use Oak leaves specifically. The young adult pyrrho's I have are still a bit skittish at the moment, so I thought they'd appreciate the cover on the bottom. I'll try Beech leaves first, they should be just as good, as long as they don't float!