Catappa Leaves for Blackwater Aquariums and Betta Fish

[@AquariumCoop]

You can buy Catappa leaves from us directly here: www.aquariumcoop.com/products/10-catappa-leaves

[@ThePatchedDragon]

definitely gonna be changing my betta tank to tannin heaven!!! ngl i love the natural look of blackwater

[@tvideo1189]

Indian Almond leaves add more than tannins, it adds money to sellers pockets. In the US, dried Oak and/or Magnolia leaves will do the same thing... for free.

[@Cookie-zz2mg]

Does it need to be a special magnolia tree, because I have a huge one in my yard, but their leaves are so full of moister that once you dry them out of it you don't have much of a leaf left. And I thought I remember that there are two different kinds of magnolias around, hence the dumb question.

[@davidslaton8697]

i genuinely miss Lamont. such unspoken greatness in that feller

[@Jstras77]

I’ve been doing research on Indian Almond leaves and found this video. I just added some leaves and extract to my Betta tank and think it looks really cool. Great video!!! 😊😊😊🍁🐠🍁🐟🍁

[@kristenwinter8157]

I’m looking into this whole almond leaves. You should do an update of this. It’s hard to follow or the sound isn’t great. I trust your judgment and knowledge of fish keeping. I have ordered lots of stuff from you and highly recommend your products and you tube channel to other fish keepers.

[@shamerock777]

I watched this video to learn more about tannins, then to hear you talk about how it affects turtles (my actual specific reason, concern for my 🐢) and make this perfect for me. Thanks guys, subscribed for future learnings, even though I'm late to this one lol.

[@SevernRunAquatics]

Oak leaves also have the same effect as catappa leaves. I use these to great success.

[@emmyashbaugh]

I love the way my (sons that I now maintain) betta tank looks with the tannins since adding the leaves. Since doing so I am researching black water tanks for our next tank!

[@kdr1048]

Give me a blackwater tetra tank all day lol. Love the natural look and it's great for the fish that are in that environment in the wild. It's at the Catappa the list lmao good one cory lol

[@feeldafury]

The tannins in my tank made the rasbora pork chop look really nice. The orange and black coloration on the Rasbora stand out. Also thanks for testing my water today Corey.

[@AquariumCoop]

+Long Woo No problem. Thanks for visiting :)

[@salvolondon]

-King Noob- aren’t they called lamb chop ? I have 4 of them , they are 4 years old

[@Skylrrider]

IAL are MAGICAL! Hahaha, my fishroom would be destitute without them I think. San Francisco has super soft water, so adding IAL crashes the pH down. I don't know if it's the lowering of the pH (and basically sterile conditions) or the release of antimicrobial tannins in the water, but I find that even difficult to spawn species of the Betta coccina complex really go crazy in it. However, I do keep my pygmy sunfish and my one "display" community tank with minimal tannins :p (Even though there is a ton of driftwood in there haha). Love IAL and driftwood! Although the inevitable "why is your water yellow?" when new people come over always require a detailed explanation. I've run into some really interesting research articles investigating the properties of IAL - I will be making science cartoons breaking them down...sometime in the future :)

[@lnoviaf9821]

Speaking of magical, my betta just recovered from a stubborn SBD after I added IAL into his tank one morning. I used fasting, peas method, antibiotics even, but they didn't achieve such result as the IAL. By late afternoon that same day he's swimming like he never had the SBD in the first place. It's strange but it works :). I will be keeping the tannin I guess.

[@riosulysto2068]

here in Indonesia, cattappa trees are very common, so the leaves are very easy to get. Lots of people collect the dried leaves and sell them. Many fish keeper are advised to use processed dried cattapa leaves for their fish because unprocessed leaves often produces oil that float to the top of the water. I used both both processed leaves and the leaves extract for my Betta fish. They are very happy and healthy because of it but my mom complained that she can't see my fish so I have to dialed down the extract

[@chelseacox3133]

I thought I was the only one who likes to see my fish so clearly that it’s like they’re flying!...I’ve also dreamed of them flying around my room...

[@madturtle8826]

Set playback speed at 1.5. YW. I also got some plants from Corey, and they are sweeeeet. Can’t go wrong.

[@TheSunIsMyDestroyer]

i hate tannins, yeah it has lots of benefits, but if i wanted to look at poop water i could just stop flushing

[@stainless7191]

Video THEN blaze, think you may of got it backwards on this one.

[@differentkim]

ha ha ha ha . . . word

[@MikeyColon]

Lol!

[@fernwoodsfinest]

THIS hahaha

[@nickwilliams4889]

Blaze while watching

[@unitnippynipz]

Their both 100% blazed lol. Nothing wrong with a smoke and chill sesh talking about fish.

[@richmick1362]

Oak leaves work great too

[@InternacionalBoxing]

Fish will appreciate the natural look

[@thalaquatics8712]

When I boil my catalpa leaves to make extract I use rodi water and check ph after I get mine around 3-3.5 ph and my water is fairly hard so my bettas love it for the tannins and it reduces my ph from 8.3 down to 7.2.

[@1deaver]

lol, I really have taken a nap every talk except this one! I do love these though.

[@AquariumCoop]

+1deaver We know they run long, we just really want to get the information out there instead of cramming everything into 5 minutes and not going into detail on anything. There are plenty of channels who are quick, we aren't one of em :P

[@1deaver]

+Aquarium Co-Op keep it up, like I said I love these talks.

[@AquariumCoop]

Thanks for the support :)

[@marccartagena2188]

You all need a mascot/tank in the background, great episode by the way.

[@gloiven]

get the color correction contacts that inhibit your inner dislike for "brownish" water. in Canada we use Maple Leaves/

[@Dirk04901]

im about to set up a dwarf cichlid tank and this helped alot

[@amyrains3581]

thank you so so so much for this info. I have started researching black water because I love keeping dwarf cichlids and am about to get some apistos and have ordered some leaves. Ive kept angels in the past but after a few years they always ended up with fin rot. Im getting angels again soon and was going to get a sterilizer but now Ive become a leafie. lol

[@AQUANUT]

Great show you guys. I am with lamont on this one. I really like the driftwood myself. I dont have the tannins problem though. I presoak all of my wood for months. then boil then salt treatment then water change repeat. Me and sierra go hunting in fast moving water for great pieces. Its a lot of work to get them ready for tank use but i live in Canada. I wont pay for wood. But i really dont notice much of a PH drop from wood that has been pre soaked. In my opinion you would need a massive piece of pre soaked wood to lower the PH just a little bit. I see people all of the time go and add a bunch of crushed coral to their tank because someone told them that their piece of driftwood would lower there PH. Almost every time there was no need and they end up pulling the coral out. This is a question that gets asked in our group every once in a while.

[@AquariumCoop]

+AQUA NUT Well We run crushed coral in every tank we own, our tap water starts out as R/O water. I think the problem is people don't analyze their water instead they just make recommendations. Lots of wood in R/O water will change it a lot more than someone who already started with harder water with buffer for instance.

[@AQUANUT]

+Aquarium Co-Op Yeah that makes a lot of sense. It's hard to recommend an adjustment if you have no idea where the baseline is and all the other factors. We look into our water regularly with testing and reading reports put out by the city. We are lucky and have very fish friendly parameters. No chloarmine, very little chlorine and a ph of 7.

[@RyansAquarium]

+AQUA NUT Hey just out of curiosity, what kind of wood are you gathering?

[@AQUANUT]

+RyansAquarium not 100% sure on the ids but i look for non punky wood. something that has been in the water for a year or 2. You can usually tell if all the bark is removed and it looks aged cracked. I tend to look for lighter hardwoods. A friend of ours showed us what kind of wood to look for, they sells the stuff left and right to the lfs around here. We actually just went out and got some more driftwood. I'm working on the video for it now.

[@RyansAquarium]

AQUA NUT sweet ill keep an eye out, buying wood at big als breaks the wallet lol

[@Hannah-zc8gn]

poly-filter also removes tannins. i was disappointed because I finally got my blackwater to have the perfect reddish balance to where I can still see my fish but it brought their colors out a lot more. Then I added polyfilter to my media and it's all gone! back to the drawing board cuz I also like the poly filter.

[@brucecohen9235]

I use catappa and bay leaves for my discus tanks

[@SevernRunAquatics]

Breeding isn't always a sign of good water parameters. It's a natural response to good water conditions orrrr bad water conditions because they feel they need to hand down their genetics because death may be imminent. Enjoyed this talk though! As an apistogramma breeder and my fish have become so spoiled to heavily tannined water they won't even breed in clear water.

[@mypeeps333]

I use catappa leaves and almond leaves in every tank !!!🐓

[@madseason1989]

Aren't they the same thing?

[@russellbeach3207]

Ok now you guys must be going through my browsing history ! I have my tanks set up with locally found wood rocks and yep Oak leaves. I researched today and found that they are indeed safe. I had gathered them a few weeks back and set in some water outside till I was ready to do my tank. I have maybe a 1/2 dozen leaves in each tank (20 gal) I also got a call that this Pygmy corys I was looking for came in to a lfs and they were .99C ! ea. SOI just picked those up.As they are acclimating to my tank I sat down to watch your latest video. You guys are great and have saved me tons already and I've learned so much. So now i'm going to write down what I think might be your next episode and see if you are spying on me LOL Thanks again !

[@AquariumCoop]

+Russell Beach Lol the next episode is already filmed so. You'd be predicting the future at this point. In general we try to do episodes on the most questions we get online and in the store.

[@russellbeach3207]

+Aquarium Co-Op Well if it's about Rainbows (threadfin or such) or Java moss then i'll start doing lottery numbers HAHA

[@damionmarkham9835]

Russell , do you know if California oak leaves are safe & beneficial ?

[@russellbeach3207]

+Damion Markham No sorry I don't but Google probably would. That's how I found it in my area. Good luck!

[@MrTOT022]

Hi , great talk guys,, I have 2 large yellow bellys which have a touch of shell rot which I have been treating, I have a load of bog wood from numerous tanks that I have had in the past, do u think if I put them in my turtle tank it would help?? Keep up the good work guys,, also I think u should set up a tank in your office Thanks guys

[@AquariumCoop]

+MrTOT022 In our experience it would greatly help those turtles yes.

[@troyclench3738]

What do you guys think about rooibos tea...

[@Richardofdanbury]

What about Oak leaves? They were once used for tanning leather because of their tannic acid.

[@AquariumCoop]

They work as well.

[@moon.cat.]

why are there so many amazon reviews about their healthy betta fish died one day after putting the catappa leaves? where could I buy genuine organic catappa leaves?

[@KGcichlids]

I have a royal pleco (young) and I bought a small piece of drift wood , I was wondering if a 7 inch long by 4 inch tall 3 inch wide, would be enough for my royal. or if it's even needed.

[@AquariumCoop]

+Kevin Green Wood is needed for your royal. It'll be good enough until he has eaten it all.

[@KGcichlids]

+Aquarium Co-Op dumb question here lol how do I know if he's already done with the piece? or what should I look for in the wood itself, shrinkage? fungus?

[@AquariumCoop]

The wood will no longer exist when he is done with it. They're basically a sawmill.

[@KGcichlids]

+Aquarium Co-Op makes sense I've seen the log getting more grooved out over the past couple months.

[@KGcichlids]

+Aquarium Co-Op I think I'll go back on some video and look at the difference.

[@AdventuresofAwesomeJoe]

I put catappa leaves in my aquarium 4 days ago and there has been no tanning at all. But my pH did drop from 6.9 to 6.6

[@anyaschmidt203]

Yesterday I re-aquascaped my 10 gallon aquarium, I got a new peice of wood, boiled it and put in my tank. I added all of my guppies and they’re doing just great but my neon tetras are breathing pretty heavily I’m not sure if I should maybe add my air pump for more oxygen or wait it out... the water is also foggy from the tannins releasing from the wood but I can’t do another water change because I did a huge one yesterday and I don’t know if the tannins will effect my fish. Any tips?

[@mylittlefishroom]

how do you use almond leaves and alder cones?

[@AquariumCoop]

You just add them into the water and let them release their tannins.

[@melissaanthem3441]

Are catappa leaves safe for snails? I have a betta and 4 nerite snails and have been trying to figure out if they'll be safe for my snails.

[@AdamTillontheWeb]

Is there anything to reducing a peat or wood extract beyond simmering off the water? Do you know if it ever goes "bad"? (guessing not, giving the acidity)

[@AquariumCoop]

I've never made it myself but i suspect it wouldn't go bad. I usually just buy black water extract.

[@AdamTillontheWeb]

+Aquarium Co-Op I used a cubic foot of peat as substrate in my 90, and kept the first-boil extract taken while prepping the tank in jars (that I recently found cleaning my shop...oops). That was about a year ago, and I thought I'd put it to good use.

[@diegoel777]

I know this is an old video Cory but can I have some tannins in the water while using purigen? Thank you!

[@ericks02]

apisto-partments would be pretty sweet

[@macylouwho1187]

If you inform me while also making me laugh-you got my sub 👍

[@courageisthelion]

I have to disagree with you on this video.. I love the natural look and prefer the fish be happier in a more natural feel. But we all are entitled to our opinions, keeps up the good work!

[@charliehobbs7968]

Can you use any kind of dried leaves or only Indian almond leaves?

[@StarFisherX]

Should I take the carbon filter out of my HOB filter before placing catappa in the tank?

[@AquariumCoop]

+DecadeDuelist yeah carbon will remove tannins

[@bilsob1]

Hello can you put these catappa leaves in an hang on back filter to get the tannins into the tank? Thanks

[@AquariumCoop]

+bilsob1 Sure that would work.

[@emmitstewart1921]

+bilsob1 I have a ten gallon tank with neon tetras, emerald dwarf rasboras, and guppies. about two months ago, i thought I'd try catappa leaves. I crumbled up a leaf and placed it in my hang-on filter. Within a minute, all the neons had gathered under the filter outlet and they stayed there until the tannins had spread through the tank. Since then, their colors are much more intense, especially the blue stripe, and they have been showing spawning behavior (chasing each other around in little circles), though I haven't seen any eggs.

[@AquariumCoop]

Yep, they help fish feel safer too. Thanks for sharing your experience.

[@497chris]

+Aquarium Co-Op could tannins potentially help with my amano shrimp eggs developing properly? Last spring when my females were carrying eggs I don't think I ever saw them hatch..pH is a little above 7.0...shouldn't it be more like in the 6 range for them to hatch?

[@AquariumCoop]

Well they can hatch at varying pH. Most people run into the problem that they hatch into larval state shrimp. Which are consumed by any fish in the tank or any power filter. If you get beyond that step, then the challenge of feeding the larvae sets in.

[@bettablue2660]

What brand of leaves do you recommend. Do you cell them? My fish store sell 3 mini leaves in a packet. These leaves have no tannins.

[@AquariumCoop]

We do sell them on our website. No particular brand

[@bettablue2660]

Thanks Corey, I’ll be ordering very soon,

[@T123RE32]

Are Indian almond leaves good for guppies?

[@ryanbunke5827]

Would guppies do ok with almond leaves and Tannis? Can they adapt to a lower Ph?

[@djdeathhunter1]

guppys are pretty good at adapting to differnt enviroments and water parameters. aslong as it wasnt instant they should be fine

[@justHaitham]

thank you very much for the amazingly quick reply. would you happen to know if it was known by another name, or where it was from?

[@yongzha]

if the leaves cured cancer I'd be happy. Brave's tumour has been growing and growing since I got him, and without a fish vet anywhere nearby, I could use some miracle leaves right about now (he already has them in his tank, always had)

[@riosulysto2068]

22:27 some Betta breeders use banana leaves instead of catapa

[@sharonbendtsen2973]

You must think more about the fish and less about the aesthetics I have wood and cattappa in all my tanks and run low ph

[@dylannoland7543]

What kind of filters can you use on a black water aquarium?

[@echo1031]

Dylan Noland Any kind you like, just don’t use carbon in the filter.

[@shortnanxious6088]

This is hilarious. Cory you are funny and tired in this vidoe

[@gregchase5162]

Will Indian almond leaves be ok with guppies and endlers?

[@AquariumCoop]

+Greg Chase yes so long as you don't let the pH get to low

[@slimyblob3198]

How much can you have before it’s bad for the fish

[@ultimatemoviemasters]

Are you guys talking about Jerry Novak? Small world

[@tiffanybjennifer]

you two are so sweet and funny

[@justHaitham]

What is African bog log?

[@AquariumCoop]

A type of driftwood that is hardly imported anymore.

[@hardbodyaquariums2079]

I herd that green sphagnum moss like the dry stuff,put it in hob inside of a media bag,panty hoes,cheesecloth w/e u got.I bought killies from a guy useing the dried green sphagnum moss method 7in small glass bowls like fish bowl shaped but only 2or3cups big inside a 10g.he had like 6 or so in each tank and they breed in their.i was gonna do it for apistos but never got around to it bcuz my males died off suddenly at the same time.wierd cuz all the females are still here 6 monthes later wishing for males every week it seems lol.worth checking it out tho bcuz it added zero tannin.i can maybe draw a picture and send it to u on facebook.so look out for me if u got time.again great vid!! I hate wen u say ur vids are to long! The long ones are the best ones! I wish I had u on radio all day or similar ppl.But I like how u view things,its funny sometimes also an u still are putting out quality information for new hobbyist or even vets.keep em coming pizzazz an thx!

[@AquariumCoop]

+HardBody Aquariums Thanks for the kind words. yeah I think the green sphagnum moss would work well. I haven't done it personally but it's the same principle as coir or coco fiber.

[@bruce3579]

I put potting soil under my pebbles and wow my water is brown. Hopefully water changes clear it out

[@Gotham_Moon]

If the water didn't clear out, you might want to try soil, then a layer of fine sand to cap it, then any pebbles that you want. The sand will seal the soil off better than the pebbles will, so having a layer of that between the soil and the pebbles will help keep the soil in place.

[@pa.fishpreacher6166]

Is it only beta's that can benefit from the leaves ? Assuming it is a sick one?

[@AquariumCoop]

Lots of fish can benefit from them actually.

[@damionmarkham9835]

thanks for the psychic request . I have old pleco whose had bad fin damage for years (finally moved him away from the other pleco and up ed my game) do you think adding some Indian almond leaves and more driftwood would help his fins grow back? you guys rescue fish ha?what's your mailing address ? 😆

[@AquariumCoop]

+Damion Markham If the fins have already healed, the won't regrow back. but if it's still an injury, it could help them grow back without bacteria interfering yes.

[@damionmarkham9835]

+Aquarium Co-Op thanks for the quick reply . poor guy looks pretty bad. I got burned-out on the hobby from cichlid carnage ,family death and big time hippie stuff. I'm back in the hobby and living on hope so I'll let you know when home fish looks better I'm going to add more wood, leaves , plants and see what happens

[@497chris]

+Damion Markham...Try feeding the pleco cucumber, blanched spinach, nori, etc. And I would advise you soak food in vitachem or another vitamin/amino acid supplement...should help with healing injuries, and the overall health of your fish.

[@FeedUs69]

Next time I come in I'll tell you my Tannin addition method. It does not cloud the water.. I'm sure you will roll your eyes at me when I tell you, but as a guy who hates cloudy water I'm sure you will appreciate my method.. "lamont loves wood!" lol...

[@AquariumCoop]

+jeremy fourstring Lol.. Yes please do share next time you're in.

[@FeedUs69]

;)

[@catfishcave379]

Tea is tannic... never thought of it that way. As an avid tea drinker, maybe I should add all my used leaves to my tanks. I wonder if anyone has ever tried that??? I love bogwood in my tanks, most of my pieces haven't released noticeable tannins in years. Though one piece, boiled countless times over the last 25 years, still turns the water like tea.

[@Chemeleon15]

Catfish Cave the caffeine might overdose the fishes. Try steeping it a few extra times before adding it to the tank. Let us know how it goes.

[@shesellsfish]

Yep Yep...I most def want some of those never clog airstones.

[@AquariumCoop]

+ShelbyRae Lane They'll be available soon on our website, just waiting for them to clear customs.

[@Beursblik]

Nice video thank you so much. I have a question doe the Tannins stop at a certain moment, like you I don't like the brownish colour

[@thefountain6634]

Begginer turtle owners are looking like😯👀 after this video

[@seangere9698]

Indian Almond leaves for those that are Dart frog keepers.

[@sasaeteurn]

Nice episode guys. I enjoy these a lot. Quick question. Where can I buy some catappa leaves? I've had silver arowanas in the past where they jumped out of the aquarium and as a result damaged their fins and body. Will the catappa leaves help heal the body as well as the fin? The body would have red streaks from hemorrhaging. Again, thanks a lot for all the good info.

[@AquariumCoop]

+Sern Saeteurn I could put them for sale on our website. But otherwise try ebay etc. But for a larger arowana tank I'd recommend blackwater extract.

[@sasaeteurn]

Thank you for the info and all you do.

[@tonycanniffe2360]

#bringbacklamont

[@datinyone]

i have IAL in all my betta tanks.. the males enjoy building their nests under the pieces of leaves.. they're not really "display" tanks though.. I like my display tanks to be clear as clear can be.. :)

[@AquariumCoop]

+datinyone Yeah... Clear display tanks! But I do realize the healing properties of the tannins. :P

[@Chilinoploppy]

Lamont loves wood huh..

[@rifraf6135]

Oh, my...😂😂😂😉

[@saranieuwenhuis]

I now know to give up on my mopani driftwood. *Sigh*

[@HikingFeral]

I completely disagree I think they look great. I think crystal clear aquariums look bad.

[@salvolondon]

Hiking Feral it looks very unnatural when it’s crystal clear .... I like the natural look

[@sharonbendtsen2973]

Lamont you are too quiet having a hard time hearing you

[@wolverinebear5357]

Antimicrobial effects also- so the wise men have said.

[@jackrook945]

@7:47 yikes, not into the dropping of the r-slur here. I know we're on youtube, but Cory, I thought you were better than that :/ Can't really watch the rest of the video after that being tossed off so casually... hoping y'all learn and do better.

[@kburke9615]

@@jackrook945 I went back to 7:40 & played from then on…..no idea what you are referring to as an r slur….

[@apache0208]

Micro tan and soak gials

[@paulfeeney1221]

Lemonts a wood guy