Using Indian Almond Leaves

[kb46]

I've read that you can use IAL to help prevent bacterial infections at about 1 leaf for 50 litres of water. I don't have access to Melafix right now and one of my SAE's has a wound either side at the base of his tail (as if he got it caught swimming through somewhere narrow).

I do have an Indian Almond tree growing in my backyard. Do I use leaves that are completely dried out?

I've read the leaves should be changed out every two weeks or if they start to disintegrate. How long should the treatment period last - just while the wound is visible or longer?

I take it that IAL are safe to use with Yoyo loaches since I read about it on this forum?

Are there any plants that don't like IAL in the water?

The tank I want to treat is a 75G tank and has 2 juvenile SAEs (2"), 5 juvenile yoyo loaches (1-1.5"), and 6 danio rerio.

Kylie

[Rocco]

Firstly, welcome to Loaches online Kylie!

Does your neighborhood spray trees for mosquitoes? If yes, then don't use the IALs. Otherwise, I would use the dried up ones but carefully. I'd say test them on a less valuable fish first but then I see all fish are valuable life. Test the pH of your water first because IALs lower pH. Once thats done, start slow, put a little first, let your fish adjust for about a week, then add more until you get to the full dose.

Thats what I do with my fish.

If your neighborhood does spray for skeeters, then you might want to try an alternative. I'm no expert so I'll just let someone with more experience come along and give better help

[Blue]

I've read that you can use IAL to help prevent bacterial infections at about 1 leaf for 50 litres of water. I don't have access to Melafix right now and one of my SAE's has a wound either side at the base of his tail (as if he got it caught swimming through somewhere narrow).

Your other solution aside from Melafix is plenty of water changes.

I've read the leaves should be changed out every two weeks or if they start to disintegrate. How long should the treatment period last - just while the wound is visible or longer?

Check your hardness levels. They leach tannic acids which can lower the pH as Rocco mentioned.

I take it that IAL are safe to use with Yoyo loaches since I read about it on this forum?

I've used leaves to all my loaches, cories, tetras and other fish that naturally prefer blackwater conditions without any problems at all. I try to replace the leaves on weekly basis.

Are there any plants that don't like IAL in the water?

Nope.

The tank I want to treat is a 75G tank and has 2 juvenile SAEs (2"), 5 juvenile yoyo loaches (1-1.5"), and 6 danio rerio.

All these fish will be fine.

[kb46]

Your other solution aside from Melafix is plenty of water changes.

I have v high nitrates (>160ppm) & nitrites (1.6ppm) in my water supply which means I have to be very cautious about increasing size/freq of water changes.

Will watch hardness & pH as I add leaves.

As for mozzie spraying - they do fog with smoke, don't know if they add anything to the smoke. Neighbours keep goldfish outside in ponds - wouldn't they die if the fogging was poisonous? Mmmm...

I'd say test them on a less valuable fish first but then I see all fish are valuable life.

I agree, it's hard for me to rank one of my tanks as having less valuable fish than another...

Might just hold off until I can get some Melafix...

[Blue]

As for mozzie spraying - they do fog with smoke, don't know if they add anything to the smoke. Neighbours keep goldfish outside in ponds - wouldn't they die if the fogging was poisonous? Mmmm...

I would be wary about this.

[Rocco]

I have v high nitrates (>160ppm) & nitrites (1.6ppm) in my water supply

You might want to invest in a rainwater collecting contraption. I use the gutter from my roof and attached a filter to it so the water gets collected, filtered, and put into a large drum.

pH is 7 to 6.5 and no nitrates, nitrites, or ammonia.. Then I use a treatment that neutralizes heavy metals in the water.

[helen nightingale]

i know that some smoke treatments are based on tobbacco fog - but i cant remeber if that would be used to kill mozzies, so i think i would be cautious too.

where do you live, by the way? it would be nice to have indian almond trees in my garden, but they probably dont grow in england

[starsplitter7]

where do you live, by the way? it would be nice to have indian almond trees in my garden, but they probably dont grow in england

This got me to thinking. I can probably grow this in Florida. Could someone verify that the corret Indian Almond Tree for the Iandian Almond Leaves is TERMINALIA CATAPPA - TROPICAL ALMOND. If it is, I have a local nursey, and I am going to go pick me up a tree. I love almonds (says the large nuts are sweet and edible), and I am sure my fish would appreciate the leaves.

Of course, it says the tree grows to 90 feet. Wow! But it can be grown in a container for a few years. So I will keep that in mind when I buy my house. What I do for my fish.

Thanks. Tanja.

[Emma Turner]

Hi Tanja, yes the correct name of the Indian Almond tree, the leaves of which we use in the aquarium is indeed Terminalia catappa. If you do manage to get one to grow on, take some pictures for us.

Emma

[starsplitter7]

Hi Tanja, yes the correct name of the Indian Almond tree, the leaves of which we use in the aquarium is indeed Terminalia catappa. If you do manage to get one to grow on, take some pictures for us.
Emma

Thanks Emma. I am so excited. I will get that tree as soon as I can. And I will take some pictures. It will be a baby tree. Tanja

[Emma Turner]

Cool, I once saw seeds for sale on e-bay but didn't think I'd stand a chance of growing one in our British climate! And even if it did, I don't think my garden would be big enough!

Good luck, I hope you manage to find one.

Emma

[starsplitter7]

Good luck, I hope you manage to find one.
Emma

I already found one. I just need to decide whether I will drive to pick it up or have it mailed to me. The nursery is two hours south of me. http://toptropicals.com/cgi-bin/garden_catalog/cat.cgi

Whee! I can't wait. Tanja

[Tinman]

I think your original question was about which leaves to use. The ones that dry and fall on their own are the most desirable. The picked ones that are dried are not . I just read quite abit about them and started with them myself only on Friday. We will see how they work for me.....