Re: leaf litter wonders

["Scott Olson" <olson7@hotmail.com>]

Mike's advice here is, as always, excellent.  When you try anything new in 
your tanks, go into it slowly and carefully.  It's amazing how often 
something that works for one person can cause disaster for another, in a 
different situation.

I just recently tried to set up a 'natural aquarium', lots of plants, no 
filter, etc., as advised by a number of internet writers.  It sounded very 
appealing.  But what a MESS!  Plants died left and right and very cloudy 
water.  I had a bacteria bloom (I think!) that was so intense, I was afraid 
it might jump the tank and spread through the house!  I now have a filter 
running in the tank, and it's starting to do better.  The trouble with 
trying new things in the mini-environment of an aquarium is that even very 
small differences in parameters can cause very different outcomes.  It 
almost gets to where you hate to share ideas, because what worked well for 
me might not work for the next person that tries the same thing.  I suppose 
all we can do is share what little we all know, carefully try out each 
other's ideas, and hope that the sum of all the parts will help us move 
forward.

I'm sorry I can't say what variety of magnolia leaves we used; sorry for my 
ignorance.  One thing I can say is that they were very old, very dead, and 
very well aged.

Scott

>From: Mike & Diane Wise <apistowise@bewellnet.com>
>Reply-To: apisto@majordomo.pobox.com
>To: apisto@majordomo.pobox.com
>Subject: Re: leaf litter wonders
>Date: Fri, 10 Dec 1999 21:20:11 -0700
>
>Ed,
>
>I don't know anything about the effect of Magnolia leaves on the water, but 
>the
>ones I am familiar with have large waxy leaves. Many tropical trees have 
>similar
>leave that leach latex-like sap that isn't very healthy in a closed 
>environment
>of a tank. I think I'd try them first on something you won't regret losing.
>
>Mike Wise
>
>Ed Pon wrote:
>
> > Does anyone know if Magnolia leaves will affect the ph.  I just happen 
>to
> > have a Magnolia tree right in front of my house but have been afraid to 
>try
> > using the leaves.
> >
> > >Scott Olson wrote:
> > > >
> > > > As a possible alternative to oak leaves:
> > > >
> > > > Several years ago when living in the San Francisco area, Brian 
>Wolinski
> > > > suggested magnolia leaves.  They were working great for him, so I 
>tried
> > >them
> > > > and was very pleased with the result.
> >
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