If you are starting an aquarium, or already have one and are looking to add something extra to it, then boiled catappa leaves can help your fish live a healthier life by improving the quality of the water they live in.
In this article, we will look at what catappa leaves are, how you can use them to improve your fish’s health, as well as some things you should be aware of before doing so!
Table of Contents
Why You Should Use Indian Almond Leaves?
By boiling Indian almond leaves and using them as an aquarium safe cleaner, you can remove a lot of unwanted biological matter from your tank.
This will help prevent algae growth and keep your water crystal clear. If you’re looking for aquarium safe cleaners that won’t harm your fish or other inhabitants, it’s best to avoid chemical cleaners entirely.
Instead, opt for something like catappa leaves which are natural and even beneficial to your aquarium inhabitants.
The Best Way to Prepare Indian Almond Leaves for Your Tank
Boil them! : Almond leaves are commonly sold to fish keepers as a cure-all; they’re widely used in homeopathy and herbal medicine, and they make it easy for fishkeepers to treat a variety of issues at once.
Indian almond (or catappa) leaves come packed with vitamins, minerals, and other beneficial chemicals that promote healthy fish skin and tissue – but before you can reap these benefits, you need to cook them.
When Should I Use Indian Almond Leaves?
Generally, Indian almond leaves should be added to your tank once a week as an activator for all of your other aquarium plants.
If you have live plants in your tank, do not boil them with boiling catappa leaves, as it will affect their growth and color!
Add your boiling catappa leaves to a separate container of water and allow them to cool before adding them to your tank.
How Many Indian Almond Leaves Should I Use?
When boiling catappa leaves, you should use approximately 3/4 cup of almond leaves per 20 gallons of water.
Simply put your boiled leaves into a filter bag before adding them to your aquarium water. Allow water to sit overnight, and then add back to your aquarium when ready.
It is recommended that you boil your leaves for 10 minutes before using them on fish.
Can I Use a Natural Alternative?
Chemical treatments often work wonders for aquariums, but they can also come with an extensive list of adverse side effects.
If you want to use a natural alternative to clear up your tank and preserve its natural state as much as possible, try boiling catappa leaves.
Boil catappa leaves along with some cinnamon sticks or cloves for a pleasant aroma, and place them inside your tank overnight. You’ll wake up to clear, crystal-clear water!
How Do I Know If My Tank Needs More Indian Almond Leaves?
You can often tell if your tank needs more Indian almond leaves by looking at your fish. If your fish are less energetic than usual.
Then it’s likely that you need to add more of these beneficial leaves to your aquarium.
You may also see that your water is dirtier than normal and there’s a lot of waste floating around in it, which is another indication that more catappa leaves are needed.
Final Thought
Boiling leaves of catappa are something that has been done for a long time by aquarium enthusiasts.
The common practice has proven to be effective in maintaining high levels of water quality while maintaining stable pH levels.
Those who are interested can boil them on their own or purchase already boiled leaves. I find that boiling my own works best.
You may not have any luck with it if you do not have other fish tanks as well, but there is no harm and little effort involved so why not give it a try?