Almond Leaf

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PredatorTank215

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jan 24, 2008
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Philadelphia
Anyone use this in there tank to create "black water"? Its suppose to be very good for arowana. Heres is what they claim it dose:

Other Benefits

 -Simulate black water condition which is the natural environment for the tropical fish and shrimps.
-Cure sick fish of bacterial infections and to help speed up healing of damaged fins or body injuries. However it is not a magic "cure-all", especially when dealing with diseases like dropsy, velvet etc. think of it as more of a preventative medicine.
-Enhance fertility of fishes
-Contain humic acids and tannins which have anti-bacterial & anti-fungal properties.
-Contains chemical that will bind with ammonia in the water.
-Contains calcium needed to activate the muscles and to develop strong bones, teeth and scales.
-Enhances the natural color of the fish
-Lowers the pH of the water and absorbs harmful chemicals.
-Adds essential trace elements to the water.
-Recommended for all fresh water fishes kept in small containers without filters, specially during transportation.
 
Betta fish fighters swear on the stuff, fighting fish found in waters near the trees are always stronger and bigger than fish found where there are no trees.

I also know Asian, Asian aro keepers that use it, but for a spar rather than black water extracts. You just put part of a leaf in the tank every few months. It turns the water a light yellow colour, next water change you take it out.
I don't know to what extent it works or even if it's just fable. There are other threads about it because it readily available to a few of us who live in Asia, I can walk out of my house and pick the leaves up off the street.
I used to use it when i kept Bettas but not with my aro. I'd also think it could kill my loaches.
 
Oak leaves are alternatives for those who cannot get IAL.
 
I think it's risky with leaves because dogs like to p**s on them, you have to clean them well and don't know if any toxic agents are on them. I also think each leaf my well contain more or less of the "good" ingredient depending on lots of factors.
With a small $1 Betta I'd take the risk, with a 14in RTG and 6 clown loaches, (which do come from the same water systems originally), that are suppose to be super sensitive to water changes I'd rather not take the risk.
 
classic-chassis;3161412; said:
I think it's risky with leaves because dogs like to p**s on them, you have to clean them well and don't know if any toxic agents are on them. I also think each leaf my well contain more or less of the "good" ingredient depending on lots of factors.
With a small $1 Betta I'd take the risk, with a 14in RTG and 6 clown loaches, (which do come from the same water systems originally), that are suppose to be super sensitive to water changes I'd rather not take the risk.
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You don't pick the leaves off the ground. You pluck them out of the tree in your backyard assuming you don't spray pesticides around or buy them from your reputable source. There is no need to be concerned too much. There is very few, and moreover, almost nonexistent claims about leaves damaging the stocks. Dog urine does not add too much threat. It is simply ammonia and by the time, the tank is cycled, the urine is greatly diluted and ammonia is quickly converted to ammonium thus deactivating its toxic effects assuming the tannins leached by the leaves successfully lower the pH depending on the hardness levels.

Check your tapwater and tank water differences. It takes at least 1.0 of pH or more difference to potentially harm a fish.
 
Thanks for the advice but i don't use tap water, i age tap water and add anit-Corine.
I also live in Bangkok so the word "reputable" does not exist unfortunatly.
I used to get the leave from out of town, my wife would bring a bag of them back to Bangkok when she went on home visits. Off the floor though not from the tree but no dogs to wee on them.

I'm not sure I understand some of your post, which I am sorry for but do IAL lower P.H?
That is some thing I would like. My P.H is always 7.5 leaning to 8, I have lots of wood in my tank and as i said i age the water, i change 50% ever 2 weeks but i would like to drop the P.H to 7 if possible.
Also, what effects, if any would IAL have on Indonesian Clown loaches.
 
Your clown loaches will be fine with your current pH. What are your KH and GH? IAL leaches tannins. It is the tannins that is responsible for lowering the pH as it is acid based. If your KH is quite high, then you'll have trouble lowering the pH which is totally unnecessary.
 
Lumpin you've got me, what are KH and GH?
 
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