Ketapang Leaf(I.A.L) for Apisto

[foxngn]

Hi All,

As i read Ketapang Leaf can lower the ph for Apisto tank. Some said it will make the fish healthier.

May i know if for a 1ft tank, does 1 or 2 of the leaf will cause the ph to goes havoc in the tank that will lead the apisto to dead?

Also, usually how to prepare the leaf before using it? Last time when i was using the leaf for my betta tank, i just use boil water to boiled the leaf for around 5 minutes, then i rinse it again with normal temp water, after that i straight away will put it in to use already.

Need some guidance over here.

Thanks

[SCOPE]

The same way you treat for betta is okay for the apisto.
i am not sure how effective Ketapang leaves can bring down on the PH.

But these leaves got some advantages that they can be a very good breeding site for species that like to breed underside of the leaves; they also can act as hiding place for male or female when their partner turns aggressive.

[foxngn]

Oic.. cause when i search from the net, i found some different statement, as 1 of them were said the method i used to prepare the ketapang leaf was wrong, the statement said that after boiled it with hot water it need to place cool it down for around 6 hours.

That's why im just asking for clarification.
Another one worry me is that 1 of the member here, i forgot which thread though, saying that after he put the ketapang leaf, his apisto had died, don't know is it due to the ph swing so suddenly.

[doppelbanddwarf]

I add indian almond leaves straight after water change for my apisto tank. Before that the leaves are cleaned and dried after collection.

[stormhawk]

Your preparation method is common foxngn, so you are doing fine. When you do use the leaf, take note that it will start to rot over time in the tank. This can create a mess with the bits of leaf all over the tank bottom. So as a recommendation, place the leaf in a filter bag and then place it in the tank. That way, you can remove it whenever you want, instead of having deal with the detritus from the rotting leaf.

The quantity of leaves required for a 1 ft tank depends on your requirements. Usually I use a single leaf per 1 ft tank, and monitor the pH closely. Some fish require pH 5 or so to thrive, but anything below that.. they'd probably die or acid burns will start, so use with caution.

[foxngn]

Oic, Thanks for all the opinion & Information.

Previously, usually i leave the leaf for 1 or 2 days then i will take it out already.
Does Apistogramma get really sensitive on the PH ? or it still depends on species ?

Since i haven't got any ph tester, if im really going to use it, maybe i just try on getting a half big leaf to try it first.

[eiko85]

Ketapang Leaf for betta is good can lower down ph and fish looks healthy.

[stormhawk]

Leaving the leaf in the tank for 1-2 days is not effective. Most usually just leave the leaf in the tank until it starts to degrade then they remove and replace with a new one.

pH sensitivity is dependent on the species, where Apisto is concerned. Those that come from blackwater habitats where the pH may be lower than 5 will require specialised care where their water parameters are concerned.

[doppelbanddwarf]

I'm currently trying out a blackwater biotope style tank with just sand as base and lots of ketapang leaves at various stage of disintegration. So far so good for the pair of bitaeniatas inside.

[stormhawk]

That works too since some of them come from such habitats. Perhaps adding a few twigs might aid the overall effect.

[doppelbanddwarf]

Yup I was thinking of adding some twigs when i come across them. Now i just make do by stripping the leafy parts off some the ketapang leaves so that they look like twigs.

[stormhawk]

How's the detritus like when you went with this set-up? I found the detritus from the leaves to be really annoying, so I don't use ketapang any more.

[doppelbanddwarf]

There's a lot of detritus but it makes the tank more natural. For my other tanks with ada africana as substrate the detritus is very annoying. They break down and really clog up the substrate. I remove the leaves in these tanks after about 3 days.

Edit: By the way check out these 2 tanks which really inspired me to do a blackwater biotope tank.
http://img697.imageshack.us/i/imgp2605.jpg/
http://showcase.aquatic-gardeners.or...&vol=-1&id=117

I believe they are using oak leaves but the effect should be similar.

[foxngn]

Wow ! this thread is going on to be good.. keep it on.

Leaving the leaf in the tank for 1-2 days is not effective. Most usually just leave the leaf in the tank until it starts to degrade then they remove and replace with a new one.

pH sensitivity is dependent on the species, where Apisto is concerned. Those that come from blackwater habitats where the pH may be lower than 5 will require specialised care where their water parameters are concerned.

Ic, I thought that once the water is brownish that will be enough though.

[mobile2007]

This 2 sample tanks looks great and should be low maintainance if you don't bother with rotten leaves and detritus.

There's a lot of detritus but it makes the tank more natural. For my other tanks with ada africana as substrate the detritus is very annoying. They break down and really clog up the substrate. I remove the leaves in these tanks after about 3 days.

Edit: By the way check out these 2 tanks which really inspired me to do a blackwater biotope tank.
http://img697.imageshack.us/i/imgp2605.jpg/
http://showcase.aquatic-gardeners.or...&vol=-1&id=117

I believe they are using oak leaves but the effect should be similar.

[doppelbanddwarf]

I think on another forum an apisto hobbyist using this type of setup mentions that he never bothers with cleaning the detritus and sand, unless he is restarting the tank which is once in a few years. Just normal water changes.

[stormhawk]

WOW that Polish guy's tank is awesome. Algae used as part of the aquascape with no qualms about clearing it. I like these natural tanks. Always makes the fish feel right at home.

[foxngn]

I think on another forum an apisto hobbyist using this type of setup mentions that he never bothers with cleaning the detritus and sand, unless he is restarting the tank which is once in a few years. Just normal water changes.

O.o.. seriously ?!

That's awesome...

later gonna pick up some ketapang leaf first... since today gonna do water change for the apisto tank, i go with half piece of the ketapang leaf, see how its goes with the result