Indian almond leaves

[Benji k]

Should I put Indian almond leaves in my 33 gal with guppy’s and bristlenose

 

[jaylach]

It would help if you described why. To ne honest I don't even have clue as to what Indian almond leaves happen to be.

 

[Fishmanic]

I have India Almond Leaves that are about 5 years old...are they less effective as they age?

 

[Benji k]

It would help if you described why. To ne honest I don't even have clue as to what Indian almond leaves happen to be.

They lower ph and realise tanis and bristlenose can eat it once it gets older

 

[Benji k]

I have India Almond Leaves that are about 5 years old...are they less effective as they age?

I’ve never put them in any of my tanks but should I put them in for bristlenose and guppys

 

[GaryE]

I wouldn't. They have mild anti-bacterial properties and add tannins, which makes them useful for blackwater tanks.

Guppies aren't blackwater fish.

 

[Slaphppy7]

I have India Almond Leaves that are about 5 years old...are they less effective as they age?

I would think so, guessing...that's why I freeze mine...but since I use them in all of my tanks, they don't stay in the freezer for long

 

[Byron]

I cannot see why dried leaves would lose anything of value unless they are in the tank where they will slowly decompose. I had oak leaves that were collected over several autumns. I don't know if the tannin release ever lessened, but the primary value of dried leaves is (1) decor, natural to many tropical watercourses, and (2) providing food in the form of infusoria. Infusoria appear as the leaf decomposes, or is broken down by various bacteria. This doesn't occur when dry, but when moist like in the tank it does. All fish will graze these for the food (infusoria), and fry will always grow faster if they can feed on dried leaf infusoria.

Most (perhaps all) loricariids readily graze dried leaves. I raised Farlowella fry and pygmy cory fry on infusoria from dried leaves until they were able to eat the prepared foods. Cories love grazing leaves for infusoria.

 

[Benji k]

I cannot see why dried leaves would lose anything of value unless they are in the tank where they will slowly decompose. I had oak leaves that were collected over several autumns. I don't know if the tannin release ever lessened, but the primary value of dried leaves is (1) decor, natural to many tropical watercourses, and (2) providing food in the form of infusoria. Infusoria appear as the leaf decomposes, or is broken down by various bacteria. This doesn't occur when dry, but when moist like in the tank it does. All fish will graze these for the food (infusoria), and fry will always grow faster if they can feed on dried leaf infusoria.

Most (perhaps all) loricariids readily graze dried leaves. I raised Farlowella fry and pygmy cory fry on infusoria from dried leaves until they were able to eat the prepared foods. Cories love grazing leaves for infusoria.

So should I use them in a guppy and bristlenose breeding tank

 

[Byron]

So should I use them in a guppy and bristlenose breeding tank

Yes, there is no problem here.

 

[jaylach]

I must admit to being ignorant on using leaves. While I know that it no longer popular I still use under gravel filtration. It seems to me that leaves would restrict the flow through the substrate.

I would much appreciate being educated on this.

 

[Nuttawet]

Indian almond leaves i recommend put in just abit for guppy, since indian almond leaves are ok with all fresh water fish if u put in the right amount.

 

[Benji k]

Yes, there is no problem here.

Ok thanks I’ll put down in are guppy’s fine with Abit lower ph

 

[Byron]

Ok thanks I’ll put down in are guppy’s fine with Abit lower ph

You are not likely to see much if any change in pH from a few dried leaves. The pH is relative to the GH and KH, and depending upon thee two, they can have a buffering effect to maintain the pH relative to the GH and KH. If you have very soft water, with a very low GH and/or KH, the pH will be freer to fluctuate, and lower perhaps, but otherwise no.