Biome Builder - Fuel Your Ecosystem
Our Aquarium and Vivarium 'Biome Builder' variety packs are our solution for the requirements of big ecosystems and for hobbyists with multiple tank syndrome! Large aquariums and vivariums can process brand-new ecosystem materials into mulch and detritus at a much larger volume, which is why we have curated four solutions to help you maintain your ecosystems. We pull from our global inventory of leaves, seed pods, twigs, barks, and Betta Teas, to curate ecosystem solutions just for you that are always unique. Always functional. ...and irresistible to your critters. Your purchase supports responsible collection practices that have a positive impact on aquatic ecosystems.
Seed Pod Builder: Seed Pods and Cones are made up of durable fibers, perfect for creating hiding spots and cultivating biofilm growth for grazing fishes and clean-up crews. Our Seed Pod Builder includes an assortment of different pods, cones, and nut pods, each with its own unique characteristics. You'll get to explore the textures, shapes, and sizes that these seed pods bring to your ecosystem many of which are irresistible to the inhabitants of your ecosystem. We pull from our entire collection of seed pods to provide you with a variety - some of which you won't see for sale yet.
Leaf Litter Builder: The leaf litter bed found in forests and aquatic ecosystems is a fundamental habitat to provide for your fish, frogs, and isopods. The surface area of leaves is colonized by beneficial bacteria, their shape provides spawning grounds and refuge sites, and the detritus they cultivate feeds the micro- and macro-fauna necessary for a functional ecosystem. Leaf litter can easily replenish tannins to your aquatic environment, and shelter your amphibians from the soil layer of your bioactive enclosure.
Twigs and Bark Builder: Whether you need places to affix moss to, vertical habitat for fish, or small textured pieces in your leaf litter bed - our Twigs and Bark Builder combines ecosystem materials from around the globe to accomplish a necessary part of your ecosystem. We regularly bring in small batches of unique twigs from around the globe that may or may not be included in the pack, but we promise it'll contain bark, roots, and twigs that you already know and love to get the ideal textures of natural habitats.
Forest Floor Builder: Our three prior Builder packs are specific to each botanical type - but our Forest Floor Builder combines all of the above into a robust and diverse ecosystem building block. It differs from our Ecosystem Kit in that we don't include Manzanita Wood - but this frees up some capacity to bulk up our leaf litter amounts. If you want something unique or region-specific we can accommodate this - just email me at info@bettabotanicals.com and we can build your ecosystem together.
Not for Human Consumption. Preparation Required.
Quantities: Our Seed Pod Builder could contain an assortment like 2 Magnolia Pods, 6 Mahogany Pods, 4 Sterculia, 14 Sappan Wood Pods, 12 Coconut Husks, 6 Betel Pods, 4 Khaya Pods, 2 Coco Pods, 8 Arjuna Pods, and 5 Bael Pods. Our Leaf Litter Builder will contain over 100 leaves across a mix of 4+ species. Our Twigs and Bark Builder will contain a wide assortment from Ichnocarpus Cutch bark to bajakah root, to honeysuckle twigs, to alder twigs. Our largest pack, our Forest Floor will combine the above into a robust box of ecosystem materials to sustain and elevate your current projects, usually 3 of our 32oz volume pouches. Sizes range. This is a natural product, and variation between leaves and botanicals is expected. The goal of our builder packs is to create something unique for your critters, please email info@bettabotanicals to curate your pack.
This bag and its contents are compostable! Did you know our product packaging is made from renewable and sustainable materials? So just like the botanicals inside, it will compost when returned to nature.
Aquarium Botanical Location: Global.
Biome Builder - Fuel Your Ecosystem
Home is getting a bit more natural
While the aesthetic appeal of botanicals and tinted water can be quite attractive to us, the recreation of nature to emulate water conditions, feeding patterns, spawning displays, and territory building are the true benefits botanicals provide to our critters.
Botanical FAQs
Compostable Packaging Promise
Our packaging is designed to return safely to the Earth, just like the botanicals inside. Every bag is BPA- and Phthalate-free, GMO-free, and contains no animal products. Each meets ASTM D6400 composting standards, ensuring it can fully break down in a home compost bin.
What are the Fluffy White Growths on my Botanicals?
That’s biofilm and fungi—what we call the “goo phase.” It’s one of the clearest signs that your aquarium is alive and functioning. These growths wax and wane naturally as botanicals decompose. They’re harmless, even beneficial, and will disappear on their own once microbial populations stabilize.
Will botanicals lower the pH of my water?
That depends entirely on your source water. In very soft or RODI water, botanicals can gradually lower pH as tannins and humic substances accumulate. In medium to hard tap water, buffering capacity often resists these shifts, and you may not notice much change. At Betta Botanicals HQ, our very hard water (350+ ppm) shows almost no pH change unless we use botanicals like Alder Cones or Macaranga Leaves.
When should I replace leaves or pods in my tank?
We recommend allowing botanicals to fully break down into detritus, since this fuels microbial life and enriches the substrate. You can remove them once they stop tinting the water, but you’ll lose some of their ecological benefits. Each time you add new botanicals, follow proper preparation and observe your livestock until you learn your aquarium’s rhythm.
Are your products just for bettas?
Nope. Our botanicals are safe for almost all aquariums, terrariums, vivariums, and paludariums. The only exceptions are goldfish and axolotls, which may ingest small pods like alder cones or casuarina cones. For those species, we recommend large leaves such as Indian Almond, Loquat, or Jackfruit.
What are Tannins?
Tannins are natural compounds released by leaves, seed pods, and bark as they decompose in water. They soften water, gently lower pH, and create the characteristic tea-stained tint found in blackwater habitats. But their role goes far beyond color—tannins fuel beneficial bacteria, fungi, and biofilms, which form the foundation of a healthy ecosystem. They also offer mild antifungal benefits and help reduce stress in fish by replicating the natural conditions they’ve evolved in. At their core, tannins are plant-derived antioxidants that connect your aquarium to the same processes at work in wild flooded forests and streams.
Customer Reviews
I got the forest floor builder instead of a kit because i wanted to choose my own wood, and i was not disappointed! I havent set up my tank as i am waiting for gravel and heater to arrive. But i am beyond pleased with the selection i received.
Got this set for a 20 gal long with nano fish. There are so many interesting and various pieces that it makes the perfect forested creek stream look I was going for. I even have left over botanicals I can use for future tanks!
Ordered several kits and a selection of seed pods. Everything came in great shape. Very happy with the selection and will definitely use this vendor again! 😀
I'm quite pleased to hear you liked the biome builders I sent! I always have fun blending and selecting botanicals from my bins to send in these. -Ben