What are these and what can I do with them?

[sparkypenguin]

Hi all,

I recently acquired some bits n bobs and amongst these were some Alder cones, some Bonsai shrimp baby food and some unlabelled largish leaves (Photo attached).
I hate to throw anything out so I was wondering if I should use these in my tank.
My tank is a 330Lish community set up and has bog wood, some plants and a sand substrate.
I have Black Phantom Tetras, Dalmatian Mollys, Wag Tail Platys, Neon Tetras, Apple Snails, Bristlenose Plecs, Panda Corys.
My water PH is around 7.5 and hardness around 15 gDH.
Any thoughts would be much appreciated?

Kind regards,
Mark.

 

[FranciscoB]

Look like almond tree leaves, but is hard to tell.

 

[emeraldking]

The shape tells me it's almond leaf.
Using almond leaves will soften the water and it works great against fungus.

 

[sparkypenguin]

So no problems putting them in my tank with the fish and snails?

 

[TwoTankAmin]

Definitely Catappa (almond leaves). Alder cones will stain the water and help to lower the pH and soften the water. I use both as well as Rooibos tea in my altum angel tank. The almond leaves will stain the water and, hopefully soften it a bit and lower the pH a bit.

 

[Slaphppy7]

Agreed, IALS...highly beneficial, I have some in all of my tanks

 

[sparkypenguin]

Do I need to boil any of them or just plonk a few directly in?

 

[betta4ever!]

Do I need to boil any of them or just plonk a few directly in?

No boiling needed

 

[GaryE]

You said you have mollies and platys, so those leaves and alder cones would be harmful to them. The softwater species you have would love them, but not the hardwater ones.

 

[Slaphppy7]

You said you have mollies and platys, so those leaves and alder cones would be harmful to them. The softwater species you have would love them, but not the hardwater ones.

How so?

 

[Slaphppy7]

Do I need to boil any of them or just plonk a few directly in?

Just rinse in hot tap water, pat dry with paper towels, and put into your tank(s)

They'll want to float at first, I use rocks/deco to keep them in place

 

[sparkypenguin]

You said you have mollies and platys, so those leaves and alder cones would be harmful to them. The softwater species you have would love them, but not the hardwater ones.

My tank is approx. 330L and 15gDH so would putting a couple in really make that much difference to the hardness?

 

[Slaphppy7]

My tank is approx. 330L and 15gDH so would putting a couple in really make that much difference to the hardness?

Negative

 

[GaryE]

My tank is approx. 330L and 15gDH so would putting a couple in really make that much difference to the hardness?

Probably not, but if they aren't doing anything, why would you use them?

 

[Slaphppy7]

Probably not, but if they aren't doing anything, why would you use them?

Indian Almond Leaves: Benefits For Your Aquarium

Indian almond leaves don’t sound like something you would use for an aquarium, but they can come in surprisingly handy. Click here to learn more!

www.aquariumsource.com

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