Indian Almond Leaves

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so Indian almond leaves are no better than oak leaves? I think I paid $10 for 20 IA leaves. So maybe I could sell oak leaves on ebay for $5 for 20 leaves.
 
Tannins are tannins. Any plant matter that is left in water will release tannins. In Australia we have black water and it's from Eucalypt leaves. The Amazon has black water from the native trees and plants there, New Guinea is the same. Basically, whatever plant matter is local to the area, will cause tannins in the water.

You can even use lettuce leaves if you want yellow water.
 
Well, that’s a little gross but thanks. I have live oak trees. Hmmm... I just never know with you though, Colin.
 
Well, that’s a little gross but thanks. I have live oak trees. Hmmm... I just never know with you though, Colin.
So are you saying tannins are of no benefit or are you saying they are all beneficial? I thought the IAL was suppose to have medicinal purposes. A lot of articles out there on the subject. Why aren’t there more articles on other tree leaves? Or is it just that all can make tannins for the look? Gotta go ponder this one while I sleep.
 
Tannins from any source have anti-microbial properties. They help reduce bacteria, fungus, yeast, viruses and protozoans in the water. They don't cure these diseases in fish but can help reduce the number of microscopic organisms in the water and this can give the fish a chance to heal itself.

As long as the plant is safe (non toxic), then any tannins are fine and they all do the same job.

The more leaves you use, the more tannins that are released and the more benefit they have. But the water gets darker with more tannins so it's a compromise, have some but don't overdo it or you won't be able to see the fish. :)

When you drink a cup of tea, you are drinking tannins.
 
This link just popped up. I use the "boil up rooibos tea bags and put the water in the tank once it has cooled" method because that way I get a consistent amount of tannin and while I was experimenting it was easy to change the weekly dosage until I was happy.

Its readily available in my local supermarkets and really cheap - a few £ for 100 teabags. As the link suggests there is no point in paying extra for the stuff that's branded organic, because the plant is so sensitive you can't grow it any other way
 
So ultimately, we could just use tea. Decaffeinated, I guess. Lol!
 
Hold the decaf until someone who actually knows confirms its OK. Rooibos is a completely different plant that is found in the tea aisle only because its packed in little bags that you drop into boiling water. It's not tea at all.
 
How bout using instant coffee...of course it will look like the tank lights are out even when on fully bright... you could use decaffinated coffee so fish dont stay up 24 hrs a day....add cream if you want a tan color instead of black....JK;)
 
I personally would not brew any kind of "tea" and pour it in an aquarium. Dried leaves that are safe from the perspective of the tree species are easy to collect. I have several bags of oak leaves collected in my back yard every autumn. Beech trees are also safe, and maple. I won't go beyond those because I do not know and I don't guess when it comes to my fish.

If you do not have access to a clean collecting site for these leaves--which must be collected from the ground so they are completely dried out dead--buying almond leaves is the same thing, but more expensive.
 

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