Re: Oak leaves

["Dennis Heltzel" <dennis at fishroom_net>]

Poison Oak is not related to a true oak at all. It is actually related to
the tropical cashews (whose fruit can produce a similar reaction, but the
seeds are OK for most people) and to our native sumac trees. I don't
believe that sumacs (or poison ivy/oak) has much tannin in it at all, so
it would not be of much use in a tank. In addition, the active oils that
produces the irritating effect withstands drying quite well, so the person
collecting and using the dried form might be in for a surprise the next
day. I haven't tried it, but fish are probably quite immune to the effect
of poison ivies since it is an oil and I believe it is not very
"emulsifiable" in water.

Dennis

> Ok, now here goes a truly stupid question.....
>
> I know you have to use dried oak leaves, old ones that is, not the new
> ones off the tree, something to do about what the new ones leach off
> into the water.....   now heres the stupid question part, ....... can
> you use old dried up Poison Oak leaves with no harm to either you or
> your fish?   Not that i intend to do so or use it my tap water is fine
> without having to use oak leaves to soften it or lower pH..... just was
> curious if a Poison Oak leaf would effect fish after it had been dried
> up....??  Anyone know?




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