Ketapang Leaves

[Mudskipper]

Ok...what in heavens name are these Ketapang Leaves I read so much about and where can I buy some. Someone mentioned that I can just pick them up in certain areas but realistically...I'm not the adventurous type.

I saw some other kinds of leaves on ebay but am not sure if they are the same thing. I understand that these leaves will help lower the ph but aren't they a bit unsightly?

Help?

[TanCH]

It's scientific name is Terminalia catappa if you wanna make sure that's the one you are looking for..

[johannes]

yup, it's T. catappa, common name is Indian almond leaves.

these leaves will not only lower the pH but also create the "blackwater" effect (tea colour), which black water fishes love. the presence of leaves on your gravel plus the tea coloured water will make the setup look more natural. sometimes wild bettas may even hide under the leaves.

some hobbyists love the effect but some don't so it's up to individual's preference.
C328 and Y618 do supply these leaves for your convenience...

[Mudskipper]

Thanks for the additional info, Johannes. If the fishes love it, they gotta have it. Will get some today.

[illumbomb]

Jurong East Ave 1 (from Parc Oasis to Jurong Polyclinic) is lined up with these trees with their leaves all over the roadside pavement.

[joopsg]

But if you picked up yourself, please remember to wash and dried it yourself.
think C328 selling in bundle of 10 leaves.
Or if you do not want the leaves but want the effect can use Ocean Free Magic Leaf Bag.

[Mudskipper]

Hey those bags may be an alternative. I have just one concern with picking leaves off the roadside. Leaves on trees get pretty badly contaminated with the exhaust fumes of cars, pesticides that are sprayed and other pollutants. I would hate to introduce these toxins into the tanks.

I used to breed birds in the US and we were warned not to introduce toxin laden vegetation into our aviaries cause birds would die from them. Wouldn't fish too?

Just wondering.

[TanCH]

Don't worry about toxin and pollutants bro. I've been picking my own leaves and it works fine. just remember to wash before you use.

[illumbomb]

Jurong East Ave 1, come when the katapang trees are shedding their leaves, very impressive sight!

[gentle]

changi coast road has lots...

you can also find some in punggol estate

[Mudskipper]

Wah, almost makes me want to get off my fat, lazy *** and lolly my way down to Jurong and pick up those leaves. But I still prefer the comfort of my air-conditioned room and think that I get more ROI (return on investment) by just buying them at the store. Now if only Y618 or C328 would deliver like Cold Storage, my troubles would all be over.

*hehehe*

[bettafantastic]

You want?
I have got some...

[Mudskipper]

I found this today at the bottom of my block, apparently came from a tree right by my block. Sorry for the poor photography...taken on my iPhone. Is this Ketapang?

[johannes]

hey bro, the tree doesn't look like Ketapang tree, somehow...

check out the picture below on how the leaf looks like:
http://borneosucker.blogspot.com/200...nd-leaves.html

[Kiatster]

You should probably look around for fruits of the ketapang tree on the ground. The last time i read about collecting leaves is that there is one very similar leaf to the ketapang and its poisonous for livestock if put into the aquarium. I'm sorry but i read it more than 5 years back, so best to double check. Be cautious now or regret later.

[Mudskipper]

Oh yah, looks very different. I'll stick to getting mine from stores. hahahaha

[ranmasatome]

Good thing you are..because the answer is a big fat..No.

[TanCH]

Bro. that's not ketapang tree.. it is not even a Terminalia sp.. so don't use it.

[wj tan]

nope not a ketapang. ketapang's are longer.

[tindo]

changi coast road has lots...

you can also find some in punggol estate

Please tell me which part of Punggol Estate can i pick up the ketapang leaves

Thank you