indian almond leafs

[Ca Nguyen]

i know we have quite a few member using them. i'm looking for any general advice that may not already be on google's search engine.

also, have anyone successfully use them to lower pH? and is it realistic to lower ph by .5 using IAL?

[eklikewhoa]

What general advice are you looking for?

I'm sure if you use enough of it it will lower the pH but consistently is probably the question to be asked. I have my 30g littered with almond leaves but I don't test my water params to know.

[Ca Nguyen]

is there a specific way to prep them before they go in? how often should i replace them, and is there such thing as too much leafs?

[eklikewhoa]

I just soak mine in a bucket of water for a few days, this helps it sink as soon as you introduce it to the tank and also allows some of the tannins to leach out before going in. Some people prefer to boil it but I think that takes away too much of the leaves, you could get away with just rinsing and throwing them into your tank if you have no problems with tannins.

I haven't gotten around to replacing any of mine and just keep adding a few more every week, figure it will deteriorate on it's own since the shrimp are grazing off it and the breakdown of the leaves will become mulm and feed the tank bottom. Guess you could siphon them out when you do water changes. I crumple my leaves before soaking them and then scatter it on the tank bottom.

I think there is a thing of too much, but too much at one time since it could drastically effect the water params. I add 2-3 leaves a week and i doubt it drops much in my 30g over the course of the week.

[Ca Nguyen]

i see, i was worry about the tannins. but that seem to be a solution. i'm looking to use them for a 10 gallons. i want to give my crystal shrimps every opportunity to thrive and breed.