Indian Almond Leaves

[pi-eyed]

out of curiosity,

Will boiling the leaves and extracting the water out of it change the character of the leaves chemically?
I am trying to lower my PH to 7, and I always failed.
My ph stays at 8... it's way too high

In my experience boiling the leaves and using the water works as well as adding the leaves directly to the tank with out the water changing color and without the leaves breaking down(rotting) in the tank. I've tried this both ways and both lower ph a touch and chills my aros out.

----Chris

 

[DavidW]

The prime function of products like this is to separate the hobbyist from his/her money.At your local home/garden center you can buy a 20 pound bag of organic peat moss for pennies by comparison , or you can rake your yard and get leaves for free, along with a better looking yard...a two-fer!

There is nothing special about these leaves that almost any leaf you find in your backyard doesn't also do. All of them release tannins etc as they break down in water, giving both the tea color to the water and some antiseptic properties. Tannin ( tannic acid) is a mild acid..hence also the slight pH drop.
but.........there is no need for adding anything if you are keeping the water pristine. Really, a better way is to try taking (crap) out of the water.

 

[pi-eyed]

The prime function of products like this is to separate the hobbyist from his/her money.At your local home/garden center you can buy a 20 pound bag of organic peat moss for pennies by comparison , or you can rake your yard and get leaves for free, along with a better looking yard...a two-fer!

There is nothing special about these leaves that almost any leaf you find in your backyard doesn't also do. All of them release tannins etc as they break down in water, giving both the tea color to the water and some antiseptic properties. Tannin ( tannic acid) is a mild acid..hence also the slight pH drop.
but.........there is no need for adding anything if you are keeping the water pristine. Really, a better way is to try taking (crap) out of the water.

Perfect point!!!! I use the almond leaves because I was given 5) 1 gallon zip lock bags full on a trade deal. You are absolutely correct on the chemistry of leaves and the effect on the water.

---Chris

 

[Antalin]

I use them with a lot of sensitive fish like L-plecos and apistogramma and they are awesome. I wouldent be afraid about some PH shocks as long as you use them wisely. They are anifungicidal, antibacterial, they support fish skin slug regeneration, opening fish egg cell wall is easier for the fry. Plus in all location wich are blacwater habbitat are common sudent water parametrs changes

 

[Antalin]

And yes all leaves contai tannins, pigmments, fluvo acids(especialy oak,walnut or beech) but ther is different trick in those leaves as well.