Catappa leaves will take 3-5 days to sink, after this they will release most of their tannins and start breaking down. Once sunken, they usually last for 1-2 months in your aquarium before breaking down.

How long does it take for catappa leaves to work?

Catappa leaves will take 3-5 days to sink, after this they will release most of their tannins and start breaking down. Once sunken, they usually last for 1-2 months in your aquarium before breaking down.

Where can I find catappa leaves?

Here’s the deal: Catappa leaves (aka “Indian Almond leaves”) come from the Terminalia catappa tree. These trees are found throughout the tropical world, in Asia, Africa, and Australia.

Are catappa leaves the same as Indian almond leaves?

Indian almond leaves come from the Terminalia catappa tree. The leaf of this tree is especially known for its ability to act as a natural medicine and aquarium water conditioner for betta fish and shrimp tanks when the leaf has emerged in water for extended periods of time.

Should you boil Catappa leaves?

We do not boil them because it releases all the tannins and then you don’t get their benefits. However, if you don’t like the way the leaves look, some people like to make a catappa leaf extract by boiling one leaf for every 0.5 gallon (2 liters) of water.

Do Catappa leaves lower pH?

Extracts of T. catappa have shown some effectiveness against some bacteria, specifically, Plasmodium, and some parasites as well. When Indian Almond leaves are immersed in water, the tannins and humic substances are released, which can lower the pH of the water.

Do you have to boil Catappa leaves?

Will Catappa leaves lower pH?

When should Catappa leaves be replaced?

Natural bacteria digest the leaves, helping to release the tannins. You’ll see the leaves start to fragment over 30 to 60 days. Many aquarists replace the leaves once a month.

Should I boil Indian almond leaves?

The trick is to soak, not boil, your Indian almond leaf. Boiling can release the majority of the tannins, making the leaves less effective. If it’s your first time using Indian almond leaves, make sure to monitor your aquarium water with an aquarium test kit to see how they react with your tank.

How long should you boil catappa leaves?

I like the idea of steeping leaves in boiling water for 10 minutes or so, which helps soften them up a bit and “sterilizes” them to some extent, without “cracking off” all of the beneficial tannins bound up in their tissues.

Will catappa leaves lower pH?

I recently added catappa leaves to my tanks and though it would lower pH, but I saw no change. In my smallest tank it was just enough to tint the water slightly, still no drop in pH. Which is ok, but if you want it to make a different might have to add a lot of leaves.