With Leaves & Bark , you add the valuable substances contained in catappa leaves and various bark of mainly tropical trees, without visibly coloring the water. They can help to biologically balance your aquarium and may even increase the resilience of the animals in your aquarium against pathogens such as harmful bacteria or viruses.

Catappa leaves and various bark are very popular due to their positive influence, and they have been used in the hobby of aquariums for many years. Unfortunately, natural materials tend to release all the active substances within a few days and then you take them out when changing the water, and they also break down during the natural processes inside the aquarium. What is left is dead organic matter that slowly breaks down and is broken down by bacteria and other microorganisms over time. In addition, leaves and bark can stain water significantly, which is not suitable for every setup. Leaves & Bark allows you to replenish positive substances easily and comfortably without the need to add new leaves or new pieces of bark every week.

Catappa leaves are harvested from the Indian almond tree, Terminalia catappa. They contain large amounts of different secondary phytochemicals like flavonoids, humic acids (humic acid and fulvic acid), tannins, iridoids, pyrethroids and saponins. These substances are known to inhibit bacteria, prevent inflammation, help tissue repair, and lightly tan the mucous membranes of fish and inverts, making them more resilient. In addition, they stimulate the will to spawn in shrimp and ornamental fish, they can prevent the spawn from becoming infected with fungi, and may have a supporting effect on the immune system when infected. They even have the ability to bind to toxic heavy metals in the water, making them harmless - for good water quality.

Nature's way of protecting trees has been to give them bark, where their defenses against pathogens and outside pests are concentrated. Various barks are traditionally used as medicines and care products, and along with the leaves and bark, they have now been introduced into the aquarium hobby thanks to their multiple beneficial effects.

The bark of the African plum / cherry (Pygeum africanum), cat's claw (Uncaria tomentosa), lapacho (Tabebuia impetiginosa), oak (Quercus) and quebracho (Aspidosperma quebracho-blanco)) is used.

These different barks add, among other substances, tannins, humins, humic acids, calcium and magnesium. They are particularly popular because they have anti-inflammatory properties, but they can also have a positive influence on fertility, optimize the digestion of your aquarium animals, they fight fungi and parasites, inhibit viruses and strengthen the system. immune system of your aquarium inhabitants.


A detailed overview of the active substances in

flavonoids leaves and bark: The water-soluble flavonoids are actually vegetable dyes, which play an important role in the metabolism of the plant. They protect it from damage caused by microorganisms and insects. In aquarium water, flavonoids can have an antiallergic and anti-inflammatory effect.

Humic acids : Humic acids, dark in color, form during the breakdown of organic material. They have a very beneficial effect on a multitude of vital functions in shrimp and fish, but they can also lower the pH of the water, bind to toxic substances and increase the general well-being of the aquarium animals. .

Tannins : Water soluble tannins are tanning agents produced by plants, and they are found in large quantities in Indian almond leaves, for example. They can drastically reduce the number of bacteria in the water.

Saponins / Triterpenoids : Saponins / triterpenoids are active substances found in many medicinal plants. They can have a stimulating effect on the immune system, are anti-inflammatory, dissolve mucus and stimulate the production of hormones. In addition, they can increase the absorption of other substances in the intestine.


What are the effects of Leaves & Bark?

Against Bacteria : The active substances in Indian almond leaves and bark used in the production of Leaves & Bark inhibit bacteria and can even kill them. This effect is mainly caused by flavonoids (such as quercetin and kaempferol).

Against fungi : The beneficial substances found in Indian almond leaves and tree bark are otherwise known to inhibit fungi. Indian almond leaves and various bark have been used in the hobby of aquariums for many years as a prevention and remedy for fungal infections.

Against inflammation : Leaves & Bark can be used to stop inflammatory processes thanks to a whole range of very active substances: flavonoids and tannins, but also triterpenoids / saponins.

Against Free Radicals : Tannins can have a strong anti-oxidant effect, they can be used to catch free radicals, highly reactive atoms or molecules which would otherwise cause great damage to the body. Tannins are very effective in binding to them, thus rendering free radicals harmless.

For mucous membranes : Tannins have a slight adstringent effect as they react with proteins in the mucous membranes, making them less invasive to microorganisms and parasites - an excellent prevention against white spot / ick disease in fish and many bacterial infections.


Use / Dosage
Shake well immediately before use
Add 1 ml (approximately 12 drops) per 10 liters of aquarium water every week.


Content / Quantity
1000 ml are sufficient for approx. 10,000 liters of aquarium water.