The Aquarium Botanicals Bundle is the easiest way to set up a more natural, tannin-rich aquarium environment in one order. It includes 10 Catappa (Indian Almond) Leaves, 25 Alder Cones, 25 Casuarina Pods, and 3 pieces of Cholla Wood — a curated mix that covers what shrimp, bettas, and nano fish keepers commonly use to recreate natural blackwater-style conditions.
Each botanical contributes something different. Cholla wood gives shrimp constant biofilm and hiding spots. Catappa leaves are commonly used by shrimp and betta keepers for tannins, grazing surfaces, and a more natural blackwater-style environment. Casuarina pods last for months and add sculptural detail. Alder cones provide concentrated tannins. Together they help create a natural blackwater-style setup that brings out the best color and behavior in your livestock.
Product Details
Best For
New blackwater-style tank setups, shrimp colonies, betta tanks, planted nano aquariums
Safe For
Freshwater shrimp, snails, bettas, nano fish, and invertebrates when prepared as directed
Prep
Rinse all items; soak or boil tougher items for faster sinking
Why It Works
Product Highlights
01
Everything in One Order
A curated mix of cholla wood, catappa leaves, alder cones, and casuarina pods — enough to fully set up a 10–20 gallon blackwater-style tank or seed a larger one.
02
Built for Shrimp Colonies
Each botanical contributes to biofilm growth, shrimplet shelter, or natural tank conditions commonly used by Neocaridina and Caridina keepers.
03
Natural Aquascape Layering
The variety of textures and shapes — leaves, cones, pods, wood — adds dimension to your aquascape and lets each species claim its preferred grazing surface.
How to Use
Prep & Placement
Rinse all items before use. Cholla wood and casuarina pods benefit from a 10–15 minute boil or 24–48 hour soak to help them sink and release initial tannins. Alder cones and catappa leaves can typically go in directly, though pre-soaking briefly tames the initial tannin release if you prefer a gradual blackwater build-up.
There's no exact formula for how much to add at once — start with a few of each item, observe the water color over a week, and add more as needed. The full bundle is enough to fully outfit a 10–20 gallon shrimp or betta setup, or to seed a larger tank with starter material.
Quick Setup Checklist
Rinse under warm water to remove dust
Boil 10–15 minutes or soak 24–48 hours to release initial tannins
Sink to the bottom or wedge into hardscape
Replace every 4–8 weeks as it breaks down naturally
Safe to use multiple pieces for higher tannin output
Pairs Well With
Build a Better Shrimp Tank
Botanicals work best alongside mosses, plants, and shrimp food. Build a complete natural setup.
10 Catappa (Indian Almond) Leaves, 25 Alder Cones, 25 Casuarina Pods, and 3 pieces of Cholla Wood — enough to fully set up a small blackwater-style shrimp or betta tank, or seed a larger one.
Will the bundle tint my water?+
Yes. The combined tannin release from catappa leaves and alder cones may gently tint the water amber. This is a normal blackwater-style effect. If you want less tinting, pre-soak the leaves and cones before adding, or add items gradually over a week.
How much should I add at once?+
Start with a few of each item — for a 10–20 gallon tank, try 2–3 catappa leaves, 4–6 alder cones, 2 casuarina pods, and 1–2 pieces of cholla wood. Add more over the following weeks as you see how the water responds.
How is it shipped?+
Packed securely and shipped Monday through Thursday via standard ground shipping. Plants and dry goods ship free at $75+. Transit times vary by location.
Is everything safe for shrimp?+
Yes — every item is 100% natural, untreated, and aquarium-safe when rinsed as directed. Commonly used in shrimp, snail, and nano fish aquariums. No coatings, chemicals, or pesticides.
Do I need to prepare anything?+
Rinse everything first. Cholla wood and casuarina pods sink faster after a 10–15 minute boil or 24–48 hour soak. Catappa leaves and alder cones can go in directly, though brief pre-soaking helps them sink and tames the initial tannin release before entering the tank.
How long does the bundle last?+
Alder cones and catappa leaves typically last weeks. Casuarina pods and cholla wood last several months. As they break down, they continue to support shrimp grazing — replace pieces as they fully decompose.
Can I order this with livestock?+
Yes. Dry goods can ship together with livestock orders.
Why Order From Razz Aquatics
Packed With Care. Every Order.
Every product we stock is chosen and tested for aquarium use. We run over 100 dedicated aquariums on-site — we use these products ourselves. Family-owned, packed in-house, and backed without fine print.
