Lowering PH experiment

[Mugwump]

...found this to be informative and interesting.....

http://aquaristmagazine.com/lowering-aquarium-ph-effective-methods/

[PaulineMi]

Good article.  I've used catappa leaves and alder cones in some of my tanks. The alder cones seem to be a favorite novel item for the cherry shrimp. I haven't done the math but it may take quite a few leaves to lower pH in a large tank with a higher TDS. I used these mainly to create a blackwater appearance in tank with the wild type angels.

[Mugwump]

I've never tried the catappa leaves, but have used alder cones......alder cones are good for cory fry, it helps keep bacteria down too

[BallAquatics]

My favorite article on the medicinal properties of such things is, "All the leaves are brown?" by Colin Dunlop over at http://www.seriouslyfish.com/all-the-leaves-are-brown/

I can attest to these things not have much effect on truly hard water.  I can put a bushel basket of leaves in my Ohio well water and it turns brown and murky but stays hard as hell with a high pH.  On the other hand, I can drop a handful of leaves into some rain water and quickly make battery acid.  LOL

Dennis