Product Description: The Red Alder Tree (Alnus rubra) is a Pacific Northwest Native with many health benefits for our aquatic shrimp and fish. These twigs last a long time in the aquarium, turning a red and brown color under the water. The bark and twigs are fantastic for our shrimp and fish as they grow abundant supplemental food sources. The tannins and humic substances they provide have been shown to benefit aquatic ecosystems within our aquariums. This bag and its contents are biodegradable! Did you know our product packaging is made from renewable and sustainable sugarcane? So just like the botanicals inside, it will compost when returned to nature.
Not for Human Consumption. Preparation Required.
Quantities: 20c Alder Twigs. Sizes range. This is a natural product, and variation between leaves and botanicals is expected. There will be thinner twigs and larger 'branches' ranging in size in each bag.
Aquarium Botanical Location: USA, North America
Aquarium Botanical FAQs
- Please reference our Shipping and Hassle-Free Return Policy at the bottom of the screen. All Products are packaged inside sustainably sourced and renewable sugar cane fibers allowing them to be fully biodegradable and compostable. Yes, you can bury these bags in your backyard to enrich your soils.
- Please refer to our botanical preparation instructions. These Botanicals are grown and harvested in pesticide-free environments and it is recommended to use 2-3 botanical pieces per 5 gallons to start, wait 5-7 days, or for the next water exchange to then add more.
- Our aquarium and vivarium botanicals, leaves, and seed pods are not for human consumption, ever.
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Commonly Asked Questions:
1) Will Botanicals Lower The pH Of My Water?
It entirely depends on your water's chemistry. Soft water will allow the botanicals to lower your pH more than if you have medium or hard water. At Betta Botanicals HQ our tap water is Very Hard, ( 350+ppm) and we do not notice a change in water pH unless using Alder Cones or Macaranga Leaves.
2) What Are The Fluffy White Growth On My Botanicals?
White growths are the colonization of biofilms and fungi. We call this the 'goo phase' and it is totally natural. Botanicals are fuel for the ecosystem and the populations of bacteria and fungi will naturally rise and fall.
3) I Don't Keep Bettas. Will These Botanicals Be Okay For My Critters?
100% yes. Our botanicals are for aquariums, terrariums, vivariums, and all natural enclosures wishing to recreate a more natural environment.
4) I Have Goldfish and Axolotls, What Botanicals Should I Avoid?
We DO NOT recommend using botanicals that these fish can ingest. Botanicals like casuarina cones, small alder cones, and live oak are not suited for these animals. Large aquarium leaves like Indian almond, loquat, and jackfruit leaf litter are preferred.
5) When Should I Replace My Aquarium Leaves?
We recommend letting aquarium leaves and seed pods entirely break down into beneficial detritus. You can absolutely remove them after they don’t release tannins anymore, you just won't get all potential benefits of leaving them in the ecosystem.
![Ben sitting at a desk with a shipping box in his lap at Betta Botanicals.](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0598/7948/9712/files/Betta-Botanicals-Shipping-DOA-Policy_1024x1024.jpg?v=1705359826)
Betta Botanicals Shipping And DOA Policy 📦
All products from Betta Botanical show live shipping rates from our preferred carriers.
- We offer FREE shipping on select USA orders over $35.
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Aquatic Plants have an additional $8 charge as they require expedited shipping which is either USPS Priority Mail or FedEx 2Day, depending on your location.
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Manzanita Wood and Rasamala Borneo Roots have a USA Flat Shipping fee of $10, unless you spend $35+.
- Our Leaf Litter Lifestyle Merch is shipped direct to you from an off site curator and we cannot offer free shipping on those items.
- If an item has an assigned shipping $ value to it, this $ value is applied even when the order total qualifies for free shipping due to shipping costs, packing material, and time to carefully package your products.
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International Orders, kindly note that customs may impose applicable taxes and duties, which are the responsibility of the customer. If you choose not to cover these fees and decide to return your order, we'll gladly refund you the product cost. However, please be aware that the shipping label cost will not be refunded in this case.
Betta Botanicals is expanding our exclusive line of botanicals globally and we proudly ship to the following countries and territories:
Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Denmark, Greenland, Hungary, Isle of Man, Spain, Svalbard & Jan Mayen, Türkiye, Australia, Albania, U.S. Outlying Islands, and the United States of America.
![A carefully curated selection of Melastoma roots and international leaf litter, showcasing Betta Botanicals' high-quality, natural aquascaping materials.](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0598/7948/9712/files/Melastoma-Roots-Internation-Leaf-Litter-Supply_600x600.jpg?v=1722705859)
When Do You Ship Live Plants? 🌱
Live plants ship Mondays and Tuesdays for orders received by 9pm PST on the previous day. Live plants are shipped via USPS Priority Mail or Fedex Express 2-Day. Live arrival is guaranteed as long as you follow the DOA Policy below.
What Are Betta Botanicals Processing Times? 🚀
Live Plant Orders: Shipped on Mondays and Tuesdays to prevent weekend holds at the post office. Orders placed after 9 PM Monday ship the following Monday.
Botanical Orders: Ship within 1-4 business days.
What Is Our DOA Policy? 💀
Email us at info@bettabotanicals.com with photos of your plants within 2 hours of delivery notification, showing the plants inside the bag.
Avoid ordering plants if they will sit in your mailbox for an entire workday in temperatures above 85°F or below freezing.
We may hold shipments during unstable weather conditions to ensure plant safety.
Plants are not guaranteed to be duckweed or snail-free.
Do I Have To Follow The Preparation Instructions? 🥣
We strongly recommend following the
botanical preparation instructions. These instructions ensure that any
potential contaminants are removed if they find their way onto your leaves, bark, and seed pods during storage or shipping.