Author Topic: Indian Almond Leaves (Read 28813 times) 38 replies

Sanjo · « **on:** March 25, 2015, 08:45:21 PM »

I know this has probably been asked before, and I did search - honest, but nothing came up.

Are almond leaves that beneficial to a tank ie anti bacterial/fungal

I know they colour the water and I understand they lower PH too. Mine is around 7.6

Should I bother?

Helen · « **Reply #20 on:** June 16, 2018, 06:56:29 PM »

Fantastic, thank you.

Verdict: more patience!

Helen · « **Reply #21 on:** June 16, 2018, 10:26:14 PM »

24hrs or so after adding half a large indian almond leaf (to 210l of water), the maximum ph has dropped from 7.96 to 7.90. Looking like a fairly gentle reduction, which is good. The minimum pH doesn't really seem to have changed, but that could be timing at this stage because the minimum pH is about 7am.

Matt · « **Reply #22 on:** June 21, 2018, 04:49:21 AM »

How have things changed over the last few days @Helen ?

Have you seen any impact on hardness?

Helen · « **Reply #23 on:** June 21, 2018, 10:10:47 PM »

I'd not thought to check the hardness, but will do that.

pH hasn't gone down much so I put the second half of the leaf in.

Strangely, the pH in my tank seems to go up slightly when the hardness drops. Any explanation? I keep going over the detailed scientific explanations @Sue has previously given and still can't work out what is going on.

Anyway, someone is clearly enjoying the addition of the leaves even if i can't work out the chemistry.

TopCookie · « **Reply #24 on:** June 21, 2018, 10:22:35 PM »

He's taken a real shine to that spot there H...

Littlefish · « **Reply #25 on:** June 21, 2018, 10:38:56 PM »

So cute.

Matt · « **Reply #26 on:** June 22, 2018, 10:38:37 PM »

Nice shot!

Helen · « **Reply #27 on:** July 05, 2018, 10:14:06 PM »

I kind of assumed the leaves would last for a while. But the first one has significantly disintegrated. The second half needs the sand knocking off it before I can see how much is left. Is it normal for them to only last a couple weeks?

daveyng · « **Reply #28 on:** July 05, 2018, 10:23:21 PM »

I put 3 large leaves in the Pond. They are lasting about 3 weeks. I leave the disintegrated leaves for the Shrimp / Snails to browse on.

fcmf · « **Reply #29 on:** July 05, 2018, 10:35:11 PM »

Quote from: Helen on July 05, 2018, 10:14:06 PM

I kind of assumed the leaves would last for a while. But the first one has significantly disintegrated. The second half needs the sand knocking off it before I can see how much is left. Is it normal for them to only last a couple weeks?

2 weeks appears to be normal. This is certainly the case for me (albeit I boil them beforehand) and I subsequently learned on here that it's the same for others (e.g. Sue, from recollection).

Sue · « **Reply #30 on:** July 06, 2018, 08:35:21 AM »

Yes, mine only lasted a couple of weeks, and their demise was hastened by shrimps and snails. I usually left them in till there was nothing but the leaf skeleton, though I did put a new piece in when the old one was half gone.

Helen · « **Reply #31 on:** July 15, 2018, 10:46:13 AM »

Those that use cattapa leaves, do you buy them in bulk? If so, where from?

The pH of my tank has bobbed up again and i can only assume it is because my leaf has almost gone. So it is looking like a good option for managing the pH in my tank.

I think my 240l tank could also cope with more than one leaf, so as they only last a few weeks, I'm going to be going through quite a few!

(An aside, I have a lot of bogwood in my tank and I wonder if that maturing has contributed to my increasing pH. If it is no longer releasing as many tanins, it won't be keeping the pH low)

fcmf · « **Reply #32 on:** July 15, 2018, 10:57:43 AM »

I buy mine from www.pro-shrimp.co.uk which is where I buy most of my online purchases from due to their consistently good service and good value.

Incidentally, I've found that the nano-sized ones (approx small-finger size in length, as opposed to whole-hand size in length) last longer than a fortnight. [Edited to add: actually, just checked and it seems that my nano/mini sized ones were purchased via Amazon - Sungrow mini catappa leaves - but it seems from a brief google search that they are no longer in stock either on Amazon or e-bay.]

Personally, I've not found PH to be affected by existence of catappa leaves in the tank, so wonder if your bogwood theory might be a possibility. Also, as my little 54L ordinarily has 2 large ones or 3-4 small ones, I think your larger tank would definitely be fine with more than you have.

Helen · « **Reply #33 on:** July 15, 2018, 11:41:35 AM »

Thanks for the recommendation @fcmf . They have a really good selection of catappa leaves, several different brands and also the mini leaves. I'm also intrigued by the catappa logs / bark / wood. Does anyone have any experience with them as opposed to the leaves? I like the sound of longer lasting.

TopCookie · « **Reply #34 on:** July 15, 2018, 11:49:25 AM »

Quote from: fcmf on July 15, 2018, 10:57:43 AM

I buy mine from www.pro-shrimp.co.uk which is where I buy most of my online purchases from due to their consistently good service and good value.

Ditto that...

daveyng · « **Reply #35 on:** July 15, 2018, 12:26:19 PM »

Haven’t used the bark or logs, but I use Catappa extract in my 270 litre tank.

Littlefish · « **Reply #36 on:** July 15, 2018, 02:27:43 PM »

I have used all sized leaves, along with the bark, logs, and the banana leaves from Pro-Shrimp.
I've not noticed any change to my water (very hard, high pH), but the shrimp seem to like whatever I put in the tanks.

Helen · « **Reply #37 on:** July 15, 2018, 10:22:53 PM »

How often do you add the Catappa extract @daveng?

I wonder if I see the effect on pH because my water is pretty soft to start with?

daveyng · « **Reply #38 on:** July 15, 2018, 10:30:11 PM »

I add 30ml of the extract weekly. I use Easy-Life Cattapa-X. Don’t know if there are others on the market.

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Indian Almond Leaves

Indian Almond Leaves

Author Topic: Indian Almond Leaves (Read 28813 times) 38 replies

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