Golden Tree Premium Indian Almond Leaves 50g

Description

Golden Tree Premium Indian Almond Leaves 50g — Dried catappa leaves for tannin-stained blackwater, betta and shrimp tanks

Bettas, killifish and many dwarf cichlids come from slow, leaf-filled waters stained the colour of tea, and a few dried leaves are the simplest way to bring some of that into a glass box. Golden Tree Premium Indian Almond Leaves 50g (SKU: GT-ALMOND) is a 50 g pack of dried leaves from the Indian almond or sea almond tree, Terminalia catappa, a botanical that has been used in the aquarium hobby for years. As the leaves soak they release tannins and other humic substances that tint the water amber and give it the soft, blackwater look these fish are found in. Once waterlogged, a leaf sinks and slowly softens on the substrate, where shrimp and fry pick over the biofilm that grows on it.

Much of what is said about almond leaves, such as easing stress or helping fins heal, is traditional rather than proven, and retail listings for this pack say as much. What is certain is the visual effect, the natural leaf litter and the grazing surface. In very soft, lightly buffered water the tannins can nudge pH down slightly; in hard tap water the change is small. A common starting point is one medium leaf per 40 to 50 L, adjusted to the shade of water wanted, with leaves replaced as they break down over a few weeks. Rinse leaves before use. For a faster tint, a leaf can be steeped in boiled water and the cooled brew added, which also keeps leaf pieces out of the tank. Activated carbon removes tannins, so expect less colour in a filter that runs it. Being a natural product, leaf size and count vary from pack to pack.

Usage & Application

When to Use

• Betta tanks: Tinted water and a resting leaf for a single betta or a breeding pair.
• Shrimp tanks: A slowly decaying leaf that shrimp graze for biofilm.
• Blackwater biotopes: Tetras, rasboras, Apistogramma and other soft-water fish.
• Breeding and fry tanks: Leaf litter for cover and a grazing surface for young fish.

Placement & Care Guide

• Rinse first: Run each leaf under tap water to remove dust.
• Start light: About one leaf per 40 to 50 L, then add more for a deeper stain.
• Let it sink: Weigh the leaf down or wait a day or two for it to waterlog.
• Replace as it breaks down: Remove the skeleton or leave it for shrimp, and add a fresh leaf.

Product Specifications & Highlights

Key Features

• Terminalia catappa leaves: The classic dried botanical for blackwater tanks.
• Tannin release: Tints the water amber as the leaf soaks.
• Natural leaf litter: Cover for shy fish and a surface for biofilm.
• Shrimp grazing: Soft, decaying leaves are picked over by shrimp.
• 50 g pack: Dried leaves for several months of use in a small tank.

Product Details

• Brand: Golden Tree
• SKU: GT-ALMOND
• Product Type: Additives & Supplements > Botanical Water Conditioner (Leaf Litter)
• Net Weight: 50 g
• Contents: Dried Indian almond leaves (Terminalia catappa)
• Typical Use: About 1 leaf per 40–50 L, replaced as leaves break down
• Effect: Releases tannins that tint water amber
• Preparation: Rinse before use; can be steeped to make a tannin brew
• Target Environment: Freshwater betta, shrimp and blackwater aquariums