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Ben's Aquarium Blog

Ben's Aquarium blog is a developing resource full of tips and tricks to help build your ecosystems. Every two weeks we upload a new blog post helping to make botanical aquariums easier to keep. If you have a topic you want us to write about please send us a message!

Guide to using RODI water in blackwater and botanical aquariums, highlighting its benefits for water chemistry and aquatic ecosystem health at Betta Botanicals.

A Guide to Using RODI Water in Blackwater Aquariums

Reverse osmosis water is a great option for aquarists of all experience levels, but only after you've conducted proper research. Not only can RO water benefit your aquarium’s ecosystem by...
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Naturally lower the pH in biotope, blackwater, and botanical method aquariums using leaf litter, seed pods, and other sustainable botanicals at Betta Botanicals.

How to Naturally Lower the pH of Your Aquarium

The Best and Worst Ways to Lower an Aquarium's pH What is pH and the 'Potential of Hydrogen'? pH is the “potential of hydrogen” which measures hydrogen ion activity within... Read More
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Alder cones, the perfect starting botanical for aquariums, naturally lower pH and release beneficial tannins to enhance aquatic environments at Betta Botanicals.

Benefits of Alder Cones in Botanical Method & Blackwater Aquariums

Alder Cones are a staple in any botanical method aquarium and are known for their abundance of tannins, antioxidants, humic acids, polyphenols, and other health-promoting compounds. Their tint-producing properties have...
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Exploring the pros and cons of wild versus domestic Betta fish, focusing on care requirements, behavior, and adaptability in aquariums at Betta Botanicals.

Wild Versus Domestic Betta Fish Care & Husbandry

With 73 recognized species, the betta genus offers endless opportunities for exploration and discovery. Among these diverse species, five stand out for their unique characteristics: Betta splendens, Betta imbellis, Betta...
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Proper cleaning techniques for blackwater aquariums, focusing on maintaining water quality and ecosystem health without disrupting the delicate balance at Betta Botanicals.

Guide: How to Clean a Blackwater Aquarium

Your new botanical method aquarium or blackwater aquarium is up and running, but when it comes time to clean - where do you start? Should you vacuum the botanical substrate?...
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Holiday gift guide for aquarium hobbyists, featuring unique and practical gifts for fish enthusiasts, from botanicals to aquarium accessories at Betta Botanicals.

Aquarium Hobbyist Holiday Gift Guide!

Don’t blink! It’s already November and the holidays are right around the corner! Do you have a fishkeeper in your life that you struggle to shop for? No worries, we have...
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Discover the benefits of using botanicals with new fish, promoting natural behaviors and water chemistry balance in aquariums at Betta Botanicals.

A Guide to Aquarium Botanicals for all Fish

We love botanical method aquariums for their ability to recreate natural habitats and keep our fish happy, healthy, and engaged in natural behaviors. Because most freshwater ecosystems contain botanicals, no...
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Examining the use of black tea, African red bush tea, and herbal tea for tannin-rich, natural water conditioning in aquariums at Betta Botanicals.

What's the Truth About Aquarium Tea & Tannins?

Let's discuss the truth behind using tea in your aquarium to replenish tannins. The forums are full of people using rooibos tea, decaf black tea, and what is it all...
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Top 5 beginner-friendly botanicals for aquariums, perfect for establishing natural environments and improving water quality in blackwater setups at Betta Botanicals.

Top 5 Aquarium Botanicals for Beginners

Step into the realm of aquarium botanicals for beginners and our top botanical recommendations. Using materials like magnolia leaves, alder cones, and monkey pots can be done by anyone, and...
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Hobbyists Who've Read The Blog Went On To Buy These

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A pile of brown willow oak leaves for aquariums and vivariums at Betta Botanicals.

Willow Live Oak Leaves
from $8.00
from $8.00
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An avocado leaf laid flat for use in blackwater aquariums and vivariums at Betta Botanicals.

Palta Leaf Litter - Peruvian Blackwater Botanicals
$15.00
$15.00
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Biome Builder - Fuel Your Ecosystem

Biome Builder - Fuel Your Ecosystem
from $45.00
from $45.00
View options
SOLD OUT
A pile of green malaysian mulberry leaf litter for use in shrimp, snail, and pleco aquariums at Betta Botanicals.

Sri Lankan Mulberry Leaves
$12.00
$12.00
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A pile of brown rhapis excelsa palm fronds for bioactive enclosures and blackwater aquariums at Betta Botanicals.

Excelsa Palm Fronds
$6.00
$6.00
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Brown and tan leaves in a pile for South American dart frog enclosures and blackwater aquariums at Betta Botanicals.

Marupa Leaf Litter - Peruvian Blackwater Botanicals
$15.00
$15.00
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A pile of brown leaf litter for aquariums and bioactive enclosures replicating South American Habitats at Betta Botanicals.

Cows Ears Leaf Litter - Peruvian Blackwater Botanicals
$15.00
$15.00
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SOLD OUT
North American Botanical Variety Pack

North American Botanical Variety Pack
$26.00
$26.00
Areca Palm Fronds are brown with thin leaf blades, perfect for blackwater botanical method aquariums by Betta Botanicals, Aquarium Botanicals.

Areca Palm Fronds
$4.00
$4.00
Pile of long yellow/brown longan leaves for aquariums and terrariums by Betta Botanicals.

Dimocarpus Longan Leaf Litter
$7.00
$7.00