Starwood Manzanita | WYSIWYG Pieces
Starwood Manzanita
Starwood Manzanita is one of the most durable types of aquarium driftwood available to us in the hobby. It has a gnarled/weathered appearance making it ideal in planted aquariums, botanical method aquariums, bioactive enclosures and terrariums. Its shapes and intricate textures make it a favorite for aquascaping blackwater setups, and naturalistic displays.
Our What You See Is What You Get (WYSIWYG) Manzanita wood pieces are carefully selected to provide planting opportunities and habitat for your critters. With ample surfaces to attach mosses and epiphytic plants, these pieces are perfect for recreating a more natural ecosystem.
Manzanita wood naturally releases tannins into the water, contributing to the rich, tea-colored allure of blackwater environments, while fostering a healthier aquatic ecosystem. Over time, tannin release will diminish. Some pieces may float initially but will submerge as they naturally absorb water.
Before Use:
Rinse your Manzanita wood in water for 2-3 minutes to remove any dust or debris from storage. If you are introducing this wood into an already established ecosystem it is best practice to soak the wood in a bucket or bin for one to two weeks. This allows the wood to condition, grow biofilms, and cure under the water.
Shipping Details:
We ship Manzanita wood via FedEx Ground or UPS Ground for a flat fee of $8, with delivery expected within 2–10 business days after shipping. We do our best to offer manzanita wood as economically as possible.
Important Notes:
- Substitutions, inclusions, or exclusions cannot be accommodated.
- All purchases are final, and we do not accept returns or exchanges for Manzanita wood once they have shipped.
- Soaking aquarium wood in a bin can help speed up the sinking process and allow the wood to condition outside of the aquarium.
Starwood Manzanita | WYSIWYG Pieces
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.