Alder Cones... seems counter intuitive...

[Magnum Man]

I've been looking at alder cones, as an addition / replacement to Almond Leaves, in a couple of my darker water tanks...

they are supposed to be good at adding tannins to the water, yet just about every brand I find for sale on Amazon ( several ) all list them as great for shrimp... I get that they may be great for cover, and grazing, for the shrimp, but if they really added tannins at the same level as Almond leaves, I would think the increased tannins would not be good for shrimp shells, and there would be better options for cover & grazing, that didn't add tannic acid???

I have plenty of cover and Grazing in my Cherry Shrimp tank, but could certainly add a couple cones, if they didn't really make the conditions in my tank worse... my shrimp are thriving I wouldn't want to add any if they would hamper reproduction, or shedding...

 

[connorlindeman]

Alder cones do release tannins, but at a lower concentration than Indian Almond leaves. That’s why they’re often recommended for shrimp tanks. Shrimp can tolerate and even benefit from mild tannins, but excessive amounts (like what you’d get from a heavy Almond leaf application) can lower pH too much and potentially interfere with molting due to reduced calcium absorption. Thats what i've heard at least.

 

[MaloK]

The tannin released are different tho, Alder cones release Humic and fluvic acids and Catappa releases ellagic and gallic acids.

But Alder cones will tint the water a lot more.

And you're right about too much tannin in shrimp tank. I soak everything to make them release their initial burst before using them in the tank.

I tried to darken the water and they hated it.

 

[MaloK]

if you want something that doesn't create too much tannin but develops a lot of biofilm.

Try Catappa Bark Rolls. They last around a year of munching, they sink dry and nearly doesn't tint the water.

Snails love them too.

 

[Uberhoust]

I have used native alder cones in my tank, Alnus rubra, Red Alder, but they released very little tannins in my tank and hardly affected the water color. Cones were collected in the winter so might have been partially leached out before collection. I believe the commercially available ones might release more tannins.

 

[GaryE]

I've collected alder cones on the other side of the continent from @Uberhoust , and it was a useless exercise. Early in the season, later in the season - I got very little released by way of tannins.

I did get dead filthy looks from white tailed deer though.