Hi folks,
Are Alder cones good for your freshwater tanks and worth putting in?
Are Alder cones good for your freshwater tanks and worth putting in?
Alder cones
- Thread starter AquaBarb
- Start date
Generally, yes. Especially if you have soft water fish species. The Alder cones release tannins and have bacterial properties which can lower pH (depending upon the initial GH/KH/pH of course) and serve as an anti-fungal and tint the water a dark brown. Peat and dried leaves have similar properties/effects but most sources say that alder cones are more effective. The condition of the alder cone (like all botanicals, it can vary) will affect the extent to which it does this, and I would assume that it will be exhausted at some point the same as peat and dried leaves.
The initial effect can be substantive, by which I mean that after putting the cones in the water the pH might take a nose-dive during the first 12-24 hours, so be careful. Not having fish in the tank at the time would alleviate this concern. At some point the system stabilizes, but I've no idea how long it may last or what might occur down the road.
The initial effect can be substantive, by which I mean that after putting the cones in the water the pH might take a nose-dive during the first 12-24 hours, so be careful. Not having fish in the tank at the time would alleviate this concern. At some point the system stabilizes, but I've no idea how long it may last or what might occur down the road.
OP
OP
Thank you Byron,
Was reading up on the many benefits of the Alder cones but i am concerned about how the drop in PH will affect my fish initially. Was thinking if i got some id soak them for a day before putting them in my tanks then add them slowly a few at a time.
Might give them ago but be careful like you say
Was reading up on the many benefits of the Alder cones but i am concerned about how the drop in PH will affect my fish initially. Was thinking if i got some id soak them for a day before putting them in my tanks then add them slowly a few at a time.
Might give them ago but be careful like you say
Alder cones, India Almond leaves and oak leaves are all beneficial according to my reading but @Byron once mentioned that oak leaves must be from a source that has not been treated with any chemicals. Oak leaves are not native to my area and neither are Almond leaves or alder cones so where does one acquire such things that are guaranteed safe for aquarium use. Again, @Byron once posted pictures of his tanks with leaf litter in them that were absolutely beautiful. I would like to have that look in one of my tanks but how do I get the leaves ? I saw some on Amazon but a reviewer was skeptical when he got them because they were packaged in a Wal-Mart Great Value ziplock Baggie. I was of the understanding that pH is very hard to alter and rarely stays at the altered level. I am contemplating a tetra tank and I have an R/O unit now so that helps and I will be sure to use driftwood and no calcerous (?) substrate. That might reduce pH over time but I'm coming from 8.0 so it might be a stretch. But to address your concern, I don't know.
I would say, yes. If you find them far out in a forest, away from any farm or big city, then it’s safe.
I guess I could move to Brazil.
OP
OP
Thanks everyone,
I like the bacterial properties of the cones, the fact they help plant growth and are good for shrimp to is a bonus. Some fish keepers put them in their filters ive read but i think they add a natural look in your tank. I will be getting mine online, im blessed to have many forest near me but id worry about putting the wrong things in.
I like the bacterial properties of the cones, the fact they help plant growth and are good for shrimp to is a bonus. Some fish keepers put them in their filters ive read but i think they add a natural look in your tank. I will be getting mine online, im blessed to have many forest near me but id worry about putting the wrong things in.
OP
OP
Im guessing you use these for your Betta tank Deanasue. How many do you use at one time if you dont mind me asking? Do you change them monthly?
OP
OP
Youve took the plunge and got a R/O unit
you will have to let us know how you get on. Is this for the 20 long you mentioned before?
Not guilty. I have an oak tree outside my back door
I buy R/O water every week for drinking water and coffee so the unit will pay for itself in about a year and I don't have to lug two five gallon jugs around. And since I got it I want to put it to aquarium use. So, yes, I am leaning very strongly toward a tetra tank for my 20 long that I'm going to get. Should be fun. @seangee , his tetras look so vibrant and colorful. They don't look like that unless you pamper them.Youve took the plunge and got a R/O unit
Is this for the 20 long you mentioned before?
OP
OP
Win, win all round then
if it makes yours and your fishes life better its very well worth it indeed 
You're too kind sir. Not sure I would call dumping a few jerrycans of water on their heads once a week pampering though
But yes now that I know what's in my tap I won't drink it either and my coffee tastes much better too.
Working at home today and walked past the tank just as the sun put in a rare appearance (for this time of year) on our little island. Afraid I could not come close to doing it justice on my phone camera but its sights like this that make it all worth while
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