If you’re thinking about adding Indian almond leaves to your aquarium but you’re not sure, then you’ve found the right article! In this article, not only will you find out the pros and cons of adding Indian almond leaves, but you’ll also learn how to add them, how many per gallon, whether it’s possible to use too many, and have any other questions you may have answered!
So keep reading to find out everything you possibly can about adding Indian almond leaves to your tank!
What Are Indian Almond Leaves?
Indian almond leaves are leaves that come from the Catappa tree (hence why they’re also known as Catappa leaves). They come from Asia, Australia, and Africa, and they’re often used in aquariums for their medicinal properties and to change the aesthetic of the tank.
What Are The Benefits Of Indian Almond Leaves?
There are actually a few different benefits to Indian almond leaves, which is why they’re so popular amongst hobbyists!
Antifungal & Antibacterial
One of the best reasons to add Indian almond leaves to your tank is because of their antibacterial and antifungal properties. The tannins in leaves actually protect plants from fungus and bacteria, so once they leech into the tank, the same benefits will enter the water!
However, just remember that while they do have these benefits, they’re still not a substitute for proper maintenance of your tank.
They Provide Hiding Places
Another reason that Indian almond leaves are great for your fish tank is that they provide plenty of hiding places. If you have timid fish or bottom dwellers, adding Indian almond leaves will help break lines of sight and give them areas of the tank they can go to feel safe!
Protecting Fry
On a similar note, if you’re breeding fish, then Indian almond leaves are going to give the fry somewhere to hide as well! And on top of this, they also feed the infusoria in your tank, which fry will eat!
They Decompose Slowly
If you’re going to put Indian almond leaves in your tank, they’re going to be there for a while. It takes Indian almond leaves about 2 months to decompose completely, and because of how cheap they are to buy, it won’t be hard to constantly keep some in your tank!
They Will Provide Food To The Animals In Your Tank
If you have herbivores and omnivores in your tank, such as shrimp, snails, or algae eaters, then adding Indian almond leaves is going to be a great way to make sure they’re getting enough food as well!
And the more the leaf starts to decay, the more you’ll see them getting eaten up!
It Will Help Create A Black Water Tank
If you like the look of black water tanks, then adding Indian almond leaves to the tank is a great way to get this look! So if you’re housing blackwater fish, make sure you’re keeping Indian almond leaves in the tank!
They Lower pH In The Tank
Lastly, Indian almond leaves are also going to lower the pH in the tank as well. So if you know that the pH in your tank has become too high, adding a couple of Indian almond leaves to the tank can help slowly lower it again over time!
And because it’s happening slower, you don’t have to worry about a sudden parameter change affecting your fish.
How To Prepare Indian Almond Leaves For Your Aquarium
If you plan on adding Indian almond leaves to your aquarium, then here are the best ways to add them to your tank!
- To add them to your tank, one of the easiest ways is to just add the leaf to the tank and let it sink to the bottom, then every month or two, take it out and replace it with a new one!
- If you don’t like the look of large leaves, you can also shred them into smaller pieces which can then be added to the tank as well!
- And lastly, you can also make an extract from the Indian almond leaves! To do this, boil some water and add it to a jar with 1 or 2 Indian almond leaves. Now, all you need to do is keep the water in the fridge, and every couple of months just pour a small amount into your tank!
How Many Indian Almond Leaves Should You Add Per Gallon?
Generally, you should add about 1 medium-sized Indian almond leaf to your tank for every 10 gallons of water. If your tank is smaller, you can just cut the leaf in half. However, if you add more than one, it shouldn’t cause a problem in your tank; just keep an eye on the water parameters.
Is It Possible To Use Too Many Indian Almond Leaves?
If you add too many Indian almond leaves to your tank, then the worst side effect is that the tank’s water will become very dark. If the water becomes too dark, then you’re going to have a hard time seeing your fish, and in rare cases, plants in the tank may have trouble photosynthesizing.
However, if the tank water does become too dark, all you’ll need to do to remedy the situation is remove the Indian almond leaves from the tank and perform some water changes!
How Much Do Indian Almond Leaves Lower pH?
If you’re going to add Indian almond leaves to your tank, oftentimes, the pH will drop to 7, but sometimes it can go as low as 5. But of course, this is also dependent on how many you add to the tank, as well as the current pH of the water you’re using.
So if you do plan on adding multiple Indian almond leaves to your tank, make sure you’re keeping an eye on the pH to ensure it isn’t dropping too much.
Are Indian Almond Leaves Good For All Fish?
Indian almond leaves aren’t good for all fish. In fact, fish that need higher pH levels will not do well in tanks with Indian almond leaves. You may think that there won’t be much difference between pH values.
But each pH value is 10 times stronger or weaker than the last. So pH 8 would be 10 times weaker than pH 7, but 100 times weaker than pH 6. So as you can see, keeping the pH as close to a fish’s parameters is possible is incredibly important!
How Do You Remove Indian Almond Leaves From Your Aquarium?
If you don’t want Indian almond leaves in your tank anymore, then they’re incredibly easy to remove! Just take them out of the tank, and then you a gravel vacuum to siphon up any of the smaller bits that have ended up getting left behind.
If you’re not happy with the black water in your tank, you can also perform a 25% water change to help dilute it. However, make sure you’re not changing11 the water too much as the parameters may end up being affected!
And lastly, adding some activated carbon to your filter will also help strip the remaining tannings from the tank! Just remember that it will take time for the water to return completely back to normal!
FAQ
Now you know how to prepare Indian almond leaves for your tank, as well as their benefits! Here are some other frequently asked questions people have about them!
Should You Use Alder Cones Or Indian Almond Leaves?
While alder cones are good, they’re not as good as Indian almond leaves, as they don’t provide as many benefits. So if you’re going to choose between the two, unless it’s for aesthetic reasons, Indian almond leaves are the better choice!
Should You Boil Indian Almond Leaves?
Whether you boil Indian almond leaves or not depends on the desired effects. If you’re not looking for tannins in the water, then boiling them can be a good option. However, if you want blackwater in your tank, then you should avoid doing so.
Can Indian Almond Leaves Be Moldy?
It’s entirely possible for Indian almond leaves to be moldy, so before you add them to your tank, you should give them a good rinse and remove any mold you see. On top of this, it’s also important to note that sometimes mold can grow on them once in the tank.
Can You Use Kanaplex With Indian Almond Leaves?
No harm should come from using Kanaplex with Indian almond leaves. However, if you are worried about it, just remove the leaves until you’ve run your kanaplex course, and then add them back in.
How Much Do Indian Almond Leaves Lower The pH In The Tank By?
It’s unlikely that the pH will be able to drop below 5.0 from Indian almond leaves alone, and its more than likely, that it will only get down to 6.0 at most. However, Indian almond leaves drop the pH slowly, so if you notice it going too low, you can just take them out!
Recap
As you can see, adding Indian almond leaves to your tank is a great way to keep your tank healthy while also keeping it as natural as possible! And because they are natural, adding them to the tank is going to bring very few side effects, and the ones that do are slow, giving you enough time to remove the leaves if necessary!
If you liked this article, make sure you check out the rest of the website! Otherwise, have a great day!