how to use ketapang leaves?

[giar]

so i read that using ketapang leaves can help to lower the ph of the water.. fortunately, there are plenty ketapang trees close by my office.. so how do i make use of it?

do i need to use dried leaves? freh leaves then soak it to the aquarium? or what? how do we use it actually?

thanks!

 

[libingboy]

Dry leaves thoroughly, wash and then dump into the rank. The leaves will float initially so you may want to weigh it down.

 

[souzie]

I soak the leaves for a few days to get them water logged before throwing in the tank. Then I freeze the water to use for subsequent WC's.

 

[HarleyK]

Here's a good article inn using leaves in our hobby

http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co....W&email_hash=de18a7c8ef991d8621e0341922a77116

 

[duanes]

Just about all leaves give off tannins which help remove calcium ions, and replaced by hydrogen ions, helping to lower pH. The tannins are also naturally antibacterial, many pathogenic bacteria need is more dense osmotic (mineral rich) environment.
I soak leaves, and combine and pour the brown, tannin rich water with tap water into the tank when doing water changes. In some tanks I just add the leaves, and vacuum them up after they crumble.
Certain fish like kills will spawn in the leaf iitter, and killi and betta fry find the leaves a great hide out.