Who Gives A Fish Forums

I've been using Indian almond leaves for my betta tank, but they're getting pricey. Anyone know good alternatives that won't break the bank? My tank's a 10-gallon with sand substrate, and I do weekly 20% water changes. The betta's healthy, but I wanna keep the tannins steady.

Have you tried oak leaves? They're similar to Indian almond leaves and usually free if you can find untreated ones. Just boil 'em first to sterilize. My 20-gallon's been running on oak leaves for months, and the tetras are chill with it.

FishMad wrote: ↑Wed Jun 04, 2025 10:19 am Have you tried oak leaves? They're similar to Indian almond leaves and usually free if you can find untreated ones. Just boil 'em first to sterilize. My 20-gallon's been running on oak leaves for months, and the tetras are chill with it.

Yep, oak leaves are solid. I'd also toss in magnolia leaves—they're cheap online and last longer than almond leaves. My shrimp tank loves 'em.

Banana leaves can work too, but they break down faster. If you're near an Asian market, they're dirt cheap. Just make sure they're pesticide-free. My 15-gallon's got a mix of banana and oak, and the water's stayed stable.

Gonna throw in a wild card—what about guava leaves? Heard they're legit for tannins and way cheaper. My buddy's discus tank runs on 'em, and the fish are vibin'. Dunno about long-term, though.

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone. I'll try oak leaves first since they're easy to find. Appreciate the help!

Yo, anyone know if maple leaves are safe? Got a ton in my yard, but I don't wanna mess up my tank. It's a 5-gallon with a single betta and some snails.

Maple leaves can work, but they're sketchy if they've been on the ground too long. Stick to fresh, dry ones and boil 'em good. My nano tank's done fine with 'em, but I test the water extra.

Honestly, I've used tea bags in a pinch. Just plain black tea, no flavors. Steep one in tank water first, then toss it in. Weird vibe, but my betta didn't mind. Wouldn't do it long-term, though.

soup wrote: ↑Wed Jun 04, 2025 2:02 pm Honestly, I've used tea bags in a pinch. Just plain black tea, no flavors. Steep one in tank water first, then toss it in. Weird vibe, but my betta didn't mind. Wouldn't do it long-term, though.

That's... creative. I'd worry about additives, though. Maybe stick to leaves if you can.