Leaves from Areca palms and something else

[Lanpenn]

Hello everyone, how is it going?

We have a garden with some interesting palms. As with so many plants, they require maintenance, including trimming. We have the species Livistona chinensis. This plant produces a kind of fiber that resembles coconut fiber. Does this have some application for a fish tank as an ornament and/or way to lower the pH? I know that coconut fiber may be used for this function (we in Brazil do not have so many options for lowering the pH naturally as in other countries).

Also, we have the Dypsis lutescens. Often, we need to trim the stem with the leaves. If I leave the stems with leaves to dry in sunlight, is it possible to use them as an ornament for an aquarium? Does this acidify the water? I ask this for the same case for the species Syagrus romanzoffiana.

Thanks for your attention!

 

[MaloK]

The complete lack of information on the use of many botanicals leads to trial and error...

They certainly release tannin, but their unknown chemical composition information about the presence of other compounds. These could potentially be harmful or have unintended effects on tanks inhabitants.

If you want to try it , make sure you test them before. Use only completely dried and clean leaves and maybe soak them before to reduce initial concentration that is released.

 

[FranciscoB]

Another think to realiza is that the ability of varios leaves or botánic extracts is limited at best. If the water is hard, the effect is minimal. If the water is soft, then the effect is just a tad larger but not much. They do reléase tanins and other substances that are desirable in some setups, and have other benefits. But as a means to lower pH ….not much of an effect. I have been using Magnolia leaves for decades and love them.