Ial, 'expired'?

[soritan]

I've been treating my new betta with Indian Almond Leaf, and I am accustomed to seeing the leaf change the water's color after about 2-3 days or so. So far, the water's done nothing and it's been longer than that. I'd read on an auction once that IAL will help, even if it doesn't leach tannins into the water, but I sort of felt that the seller was trying to cover his *ss with a disclaimer.

Aren't tannins part of what makes IAL a good thing?

I've had this bag of IAL for about... uhn, 9 or 10 months.

 

[nativecollector]

IAL will do two main things for you
1. lower the ph of the water and help stablize it at a lower ph
2. darken the water (tannins) which also help induce spawning

now if you are not trying to spawn in the tank and the IAL do not darken the water but drop the ph then you are ok. If you are trying to spawn and having trouble and the IAL's are not darkening the water then you might want to get some new ones or talk to wuv and get some oak leaves.

The only time I use IAL or Oak leaves (now that I know about them) is when spawning, and mainly just for the tannins. Other wise I have good ph balanced water and dont need them for that.

 

[Taridan]

you can use oak leaves instead of IAL?

 

[nativecollector]

you can use oak leaves instead of IAL?

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=132448&hl=
check that post out for info on Oak leaves. but to simply answer the question yes you can.

 

[soritan]

Ah, I see. Thanks for clarifying for me.