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Ketapam leaves

mordor

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San Jose, CA
I have heard that you may use them in dwarf tanks to provide natural hiding places and lower pH and hardness. Does anybody know where can I get them?
 

Neil

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Sacramento, Ca.
Mordor,
I haven't heard of them before, but if they really do what you say, they interest me a great deal :p . I will research it and get back to you if I find anything out. Is that the name of the tree they come from or something else? Neil
 

mordor

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5 Year Member
Messages
138
Location
San Jose, CA
Neil,
I have no idea, when I used in in google it return 3 entries. One really mentions ketapam tree and it seems to be asian plant.

My frieds from Europe use oak leaves or alder cones for the same purpose. Now I leave in California and it seems that oak leaves are toxic here, strange :)
 

Neil

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Sacramento, Ca.
mordor,
Well, I couldn't find anything out about Ketapam leaves, but it sounds like they are just another of many leaves that can be used in a Dwarf Cichlid tank. The key is to find non-toxic leaves. I have not heard anything about oak leaves in California being toxic in any way, but I guess that is possible. It is probably worthwhile to boil the leaves first for about 15 minutes or so before using, but I have heard of many aquarists just using dried leaves collected under the tree. Beech leaves are also a popular choice, as both of these leaves are from acidic-loving trees. When used in the aquarium, they leech tannins and drop the pH. I am not sure about hardness, but they will definitely make the water more acidic. The other benefit is that they provide excellent hiding and breeding locations for Dwarfs.
There are many leaves that will deliver some of the benefits that you are looking for that are not nearly so difficult to find. Again, unless you (more specifically) know about the problems associated with the oak leaves in this area, I would suggest that you try them. Many have before without any problems.
Where did you get your information? Neil
 

Neil

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Messages
1,583
Location
Sacramento, Ca.
mordor
Ahhh! I see where the problem lies. No, you most definitely do not want to add leaves from poison oak to your aquarium. Both you and your fish would be very sorry indeed :( . However, regardless of the name, this shrub is unrelated to the TREE which you need to direct your search for. Oak trees are prevelant all over the state and should be somewhere fairly close to where you live. Ask around and you should have no problem finding someone to help you locate them. Good Luck.
 

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