Vonz1 Posted June 27 Share Posted June 27 (edited) Hello, Have any of you tried adding Indian Almond Leaves to your aquarium to help with health of your betta? Is there a general rule for the number and size (or total weight) of the catappa leaves to use? Thank you!! Edited June 27 by Vonz1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doktor zhivago Posted June 27 Share Posted June 27 I have super hard water with a ton of buffer so I've never noticed a chemical change with almond leaves. But the shrimps and snails love them and they seem to create a nice microfauna ecosystem while breaking down into a nice compost. 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daggaz Posted June 27 Share Posted June 27 Just putting this out there... but why not try whatever dried leaves you have available? As long as its a non-aromatic plant without obviously strong medicinal properties (shoot for neutral), how much difference is there realistically going to be? Cellulose is celluose... I use oak leaves in my tank. Fish love them. Free. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vonz1 Posted June 27 Author Share Posted June 27 On 6/27/2024 at 2:55 PM, doktor zhivago said: I have super hard water with a ton of buffer so I've never noticed a chemical change with almond leaves. But the shrimps and snails love them and they seem to create a nice microfauna ecosystem while breaking down into a nice compost. Good to know about the increase in hard water with a strong buffer. Thank you! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tlindsey Posted June 27 Share Posted June 27 On 6/27/2024 at 2:43 PM, Vonz1 said: Hello, Have any of you tried adding Indian Almond Leaves to your aquarium to help with health of your betta? Is there a general rule for the number and size (or total weight) of the catappa leaves to use? Thank you!! Other than what @doktor zhivago stated Almond leaves have antibacterial factors that prevent harmful fungus to develop. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vonz1 Posted June 27 Author Share Posted June 27 On 6/27/2024 at 3:05 PM, daggaz said: Just putting this out there... but why not try whatever dried leaves you have available? As long as its a non-aromatic plant without obviously strong medicinal properties (shoot for neutral), how much difference is there realistically going to be? Cellulose is celluose... I use oak leaves in my tank. Fish love them. Free. Interesting. Thank you. Not sure about the tannins in oak leave or alternatives. Supposedly the tannins have a significant impact on the health of the betta I have read? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daggaz Posted June 27 Share Posted June 27 Tannis are an umbrella term for ubiquitous organic chemicals compound found in many many many plant species. Yes, they have a softening and antimicrobrial property. But as said, you can get them just about anywhere, and its not the end all is all of parameter control. Its subtle. Especially if you already have hard water. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tlindsey Posted June 27 Share Posted June 27 On 6/27/2024 at 3:05 PM, daggaz said: Just putting this out there... but why not try whatever dried leaves you have available? As long as its a non-aromatic plant without obviously strong medicinal properties (shoot for neutral), how much difference is there realistically going to be? Cellulose is celluose... I use oak leaves in my tank. Fish love them. Free. I do as well. They have some the same benefits as Almond Leaves. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maximus Posted June 27 Share Posted June 27 I use dried leaves but not necessarily for health reasons. Cory fry like hiding under them once they've sunk, shrimp will use them as a food source, the tannins will tint the water and help lower pH a bit for soft-water fish, etc. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JE47 Posted June 27 Share Posted June 27 If you really wanted a potent amount of tannins released I would suggest alder cones 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AllFishNoBrakes Posted June 27 Share Posted June 27 IAL are good. I buy them bulk on Amazon. Some of my favorites are Lotus Pods, and Acorn Caps. Certain types of wood will also release a lot of tannins. Just all depends on what you’re looking for. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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