Elm And Oak

[Ben L]

Does anyone have any opinions on the use of dried elm and oak bark as a water conditioning treatment. You can add distilled water in a tub to dried elm and oak bark and then filter the water untill it runs clear. Then you add this dropwise to the aquarium untill a pH reading of about 6.5 is reached. The idea is that it reduces pH and works as an antifungal treatment for delicate eggs, i have also heard that it can help induce some of the more difficult characins (cardinal tetras especially) to spawn. I am aware elm is poisinous but this is one of Bartmann's methods and i wondered if any one has given it a go before i start experimenting.
cheers.

 

[And_Hef]

I would think if the same preparations were taken say for driftwood, it would be ok, but like you stated some woods are poisonous, so maybe do some research on which ones are and aren't before they go into the tank.

 

[mr.dark-saint]

I know oak "Leaves" will do the trick without killing the tree. It's pretty much like making tea. Leaves and barrel/bucket of water and let it steep or you can boil it on the stove. The barrel/bucket thing is that stuff will fall in and die or get stagnent. I've heard about Almond leaves, too.