Rinse it first, then just put one in the tank and see what it does. Maintain tank normally. When it wears out, put in another. Leave the old one in for cover ... or not.

You'll catch on in a few weeks

 

I got them. But they're huge. Didn't realize that. It is ok to cut them in half, correct?

 

You can even grind them up and put them in tea bags. I like to use the as top cover like Hallyx says. I float them over my betta tubes.

 

Correct

 

I have mine attached to a suction cup for my boys just level with the water line & over their leaf hammocks,they like sitting on their hammock under them & build bubblenests under them too.I get small & large size IAL's and some of the big ones are huge.

Yes sure you can break them in half,and just use whatever size you want.I rinse mine before adding them & change them out each week during water changes before they get too squishy.But you can leave them in till they sink and start to fall apart if you want to.

 

Well, my boy that has made bubble nests before likes it apparently because he made a nest around it. And.........my guys I've had the longest, and who I've never seen make three bubbles together, lol, made a bubble nest underneath his IAL. So I guess he likes it. (At least I'm assuming this is a bubble nest and not just the bubbles accumulating)

 

Not to be dense, but what are these leaves good for?

 

Short answer - they make the fish feel more at home.

Longer answer - they release tannins into the water. It lowers the pH by just a tad and the tannins have slight anti-parasitic and anti-bacterial properties. It also stains the water brown and the darker water tends to make the fish (especially new fish) more comfortable as it closer simulates their natural environment. Added to that, while they're floating, it gives the fish surface cover which again makes them feel more comfortable. I don't have shrimp, but I've heard that when it breaks up and falls to the substrate, they like to nibble on it.

I've noticed that when I put it in the water, the fish at some point will get ontop of the leaf and just hang out there for a few, even though there's just barely enough water to cover the fish, they seem to enjoy it.

 

Haha! That is really cute JessikaSky

 

^ Agreed! Great photo!

 

Thanks guys! I've gotten some good shots from Bill over the past months I've had him

 

I use IAL to cover the bottom of the tank and prevent my betta from constantly flaring against it's own reflection.