Exotic Manzanita | WYSIWYG Pieces
Exotic Manzanita
Our Exotic Manzanita at Betta Botanicals is curated to feature as much structure as possible, making it a durable addition to the planted aquarium, botanical method aquarium, or bioactive enclosure. This wood is a stunning centerpiece for aquascaping blackwater environments, and naturalistic setups, as they mimic a thick tree fallen into the water. Its intricate twists and curves make every piece a true one-of-a-kind.
Our What You See Is What You Get (WYSIWYG) Exotic Manzanita pieces are thoughtfully curated to inspire creativity. They provide abundant surfaces to attach mosses and epiphytic plants, or other botanical accents in your aquariums and enclosures.
Exotic Manzanita naturally releases tannins, creating the rich tea-stained water coloration prized in blackwater aquariums. Over time the tannins released will diminish. Some pieces may float initially but will submerge as they 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.
Exotic 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.