Dave+Amy Posted February 27, 2009 Report Share Posted February 27, 2009 I've given my community tank a thought and thinking about lowering the pH below 7 (tap water), since most of my fish are from lower pH environments. Does anybody add Almond Leaves to their tanks - if so how much? I've already got two HUGE pieces of driftwood so I'm not too keen to add more but I want to lower the pH the non-chemical way and thought Almond leaves would be a likely option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted February 27, 2009 Report Share Posted February 27, 2009 Driftwood or almond leaves lower the pH by the chemical way---it is just different chemicals. I have never used almond leaves but have used tea bags, peat, dried oak leaves and oak bark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave+Amy Posted February 27, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2009 how did you do it Alan? Did you leave the teabags in - for how long? Any specific brand? I'm worried about putting too much in and at the same time I don't want the tank water to turn brown... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted February 27, 2009 Report Share Posted February 27, 2009 just use peat. add peat water to the tank until the desired pH is reached. all ways are chemical ways, you know that, chem 101 and all.... or were you too distracted watching me blow stuff up and make nitroglycerine? :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supasi Posted February 27, 2009 Report Share Posted February 27, 2009 I use teabags too. cheap and safe. the ones on the string are good as you can remove them easily. English breakfast makes the fish talk funny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tracytrout Posted February 27, 2009 Report Share Posted February 27, 2009 Do they jiggle in the morning, jiggle in the evening, jiggle at supper time? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave+Amy Posted February 27, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2009 but wouldn't tea make the water go dark in colour? I also heard tannins make the fish colourings go much more brighter?? How long do you leave the tea bag in for? Phoenix44 - you know I never paid attention in Chem that's why we shared answers so frequently lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zev Posted February 27, 2009 Report Share Posted February 27, 2009 When you say Almond Leaves, are you referring to Terminalia catappa, or Indian Almond. As opposed to Prunus dulcis, which is the edible almond and of the same family as peaches and plums? The leaves of Terminalia catappa can grow up to about eight inches long and are quite wide, whereas the Prunus leaves are only about three inches long, same as on a peach tree. Terminalia catappa are used in aquaria overseas to lower Ph and have alleged anti bacterial properties, I do not know if they are grown in New Zealand. George Farmer has used them in his Chocolate Gourami tank in the UK as detailed here - http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/p ... blogid=151 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave+Amy Posted February 27, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2009 I was thinking of checking out the Asian supermarkets they seem to have all sorts of dried leaves? But tea bags sounds like a cheap and reliable alternative Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zev Posted February 27, 2009 Report Share Posted February 27, 2009 Do they jiggle in the morning, jiggle in the evening, jiggle at supper time? I miss Liptons tea, we can't seem to get it here anymore.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted February 27, 2009 Report Share Posted February 27, 2009 All the things I suggested will turn the water brown as it is the tannins (tannic acid) that lowers the pH. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Discusguru Posted February 27, 2009 Report Share Posted February 27, 2009 Lemon is another way you can lower the PH. Combine it with tea bag and some ice cube for your fish to enjoy when they're tanning under the MH light :lol: ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bilbo Posted February 27, 2009 Report Share Posted February 27, 2009 Indian armond leaves are supposed to be good but an easier way is oak leaves. Make sure they are naturally fallen and not green and just chuck them in. They will float for about 3 days. If you want you can boil them first but I never do. Tea bags to much the same thing and I have used them also. Could also try HCL or H2SO4, HCL is supposed to be safer but I have never tried either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim r Posted February 27, 2009 Report Share Posted February 27, 2009 Liptons tea buy it from your grocer. Liptons tea buy it anywhere blaa blaa blaa. That will get the poms going. (the aged ones like me anyway :lol: ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dixon1990 Posted February 27, 2009 Report Share Posted February 27, 2009 Dont indian almond leaves lower the PH And have anitbacterial or anti fungal properties? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted February 27, 2009 Report Share Posted February 27, 2009 Any acid will of course lower the pH but it is not likely to stay there. Most times you want acid water you want it soft as well and rainwater is a cheap and easy way to get both. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zev Posted February 27, 2009 Report Share Posted February 27, 2009 Dont indian almond leaves lower the PH And have anitbacterial or anti fungal properties? Keep up with the play, will you Dixon, I already said that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave+Amy Posted February 27, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2009 right looks like I'll be hunting down either Oak leaves or lipton's teabags Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dixon1990 Posted February 28, 2009 Report Share Posted February 28, 2009 Keep up with the play, will you Dixon, I already said that! :oops: :oops: :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted February 28, 2009 Report Share Posted February 28, 2009 I think all of the above do as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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