Rooibos Tea - Good for the Fish or Voodoo

[Second Hand Pat]

When I started keeping altum angels I join a angelfish forum called finarama (http://www.finarama.com/forum/) and there were several posts talking about rooibos tea. The posts talked about the healthy benefits of the tea and how it also has a calming effect on Altums.

If you do a search on rooibos tea you mostly find anecdotal discussion (http://www.planetcatfish.com/forum/v...ic.php?t=40948) but you might find reading some if that useful if you are interested in trying it.

I have personally used the tea to acclimate tiny baby alums and new discus. I feel it really helps the process. However I am not good about using it on a consistent basis...lazy I guess.

Anyway if you use it, like it tell us about it.

Baby altums in rooibos tea.

[bluelagoon]

I used to use it when I had my wilds.It does not effect the ph like peat or leaves would.I did it more for the looks(tannins) rather than the antioxidants.I mixed it with worm water in a cup rather than putting it directly into the filter.I drink it now myself.

[jmf3460]

I use rooibos tea, pretty religiously. At first I only used it in my wild discus tank, at the advice of Pat herself when I originally got them. Then I started really liking the look of the tannin stained water so now I use it in my aging barrel for all my tanks, planted, invertebrate, qt/grow out and nano. Not only do I like the look of it but I do notice how well it helps in the healing process when my fish get a scratch.

[Captcomm]

Iam interested in using rooinos tea, so my question to you guys are. Where do you get your rooibos tea and how do you dose?

[DJW]

From Amazon...
https://www.amazon.com/Davidsons-Tea...000SATIE6?th=1

If you want to try a small amount to see if you like it, I have gotten it in the grocery store, its called Numi Organic Tea.

About 1-2 tablespoons in a little bag or sock seems about right.

[bluelagoon]

Iam interested in using rooinos tea, so my question to you guys are. Where do you get your rooibos tea and how do you dose?

You should also be able to get it at any major grocery store,but a little more expensive than bulk on amazon.com.

[jmf3460]

From Amazon...
https://www.amazon.com/Davidsons-Tea...000SATIE6?th=1

+1 this is also the type I use.

[LizStreithorst]

I have to post here again. I am sold on the tea. I have seen a change in the fish since I have started using it. Some of my Discus that should have started spawning a while ago started pairing off and spawning. The Angels are laying at such a rate that I can't separate them into breeding tanks so I can sell them on Aquabid. Mama bear says that she doesn't know why but this stuff is good for the fish. Try it. You'll like it (:

[Filip]

I have to post here again. I am sold on the tea. I have seen a change in the fish since I have started using it. Some of my Discus that should have started spawning a while ago started pairing off and spawning. The Angels are laying at such a rate that I can't separate them into breeding tanks so I can sell them on Aquabid. Mama bear says that she doesn't know why but this stuff is good for the fish. Try it. You'll like it (:

Thanks for sharing your experience Liz. How did you manage to figure out your dose and redose with every waterchange ?

[bluelagoon]

They is no exact dose.It is what ever color you like your water to be.For me it was two bags in steeped in hot water after a WC for 75 gal.

[Filip]

They is no exact dose.It is what ever color you like your water to be.For me it was two bags in steeped in hot water after a WC for 75 gal.

Thanks Mervin. I gues you cant overdose it, and thats a relief .

[Pompadour Discus]

Hi everyone this is new to me and I would like to try this as well. But I have a question. Do you just pour it directly in to the tank or are you using bags? I like the idea of putting it in the aged water, should I just steep the bags and just pour it in the barrels or let a few self made bags steep in the barrels? Or is it better to just put a bag in the overflow tank? or does it not really matter how? Thanks!

[LizStreithorst]

Thanks for sharing your experience Liz. How did you manage to figure out your dose and redose with every waterchange ?

I figured nothing out myself. I followed what Pat suggested to me. 2 tablespoon per 40 gallons in a lady's knee high nylon stocking changed out for new every two days.

[Larry Bugg]

Lol, if you don't have stocking's on hand try using a filter media bag.

https://www.amazon.com/CNZ-Universal...bio+media+bags

[JBurgo]

Steeped in boiling water or cold infusion in the filter?
Fermented or not? Fermented seems to be normal.