Bael Tree Pods | Aegle marmelos
Product Description: Joining the ranks of aquarium seed pods at Betta Botanicals is the Bael Tree Pod from the tropical tree Aegle marmelos. While these aquarium botanicals often come from South America, we are excited to supply these to you from Sri Lanka. They make incredible natural caves for apistogrammas, plecos, and betta fish. They are pretty robust, often called Stone Apples or Bitter Oranges, and have a very hard woody exterior. They will grow intense biofilms at the beginning of their journey in your blackwater aquarium, so either be prepared or give them a thorough initial boil and clean out all residual fruit from inside of the seed pod. We have found that in aquariums of 10 gallons or smaller, it is best practice to clean out the residual fruit unless you have fish like plecos that will consume it quickly.
Not for Human Consumption. Preparation Required. Gently rub out excess fruit from inside these pods after they have cooled, rinsing once more.
Quantities: Available in 1c and 4c Bael Tree Pods. This is a natural product, and variation between leaves and botanicals is expected. Bael pods measure between 3" and 7" in diameter with openings between 2" and 3". During the drying process it is common for a small crack to form as the pod shrinks.
Aquarium Botanical Location: Sri Lanka.
Bael Tree Pods | Aegle marmelos
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.
They're sturdy and high quality. They provide great cover for my aquatic creatures.
I got this as a hide for my betta tank except it made the water REALLY cloudy even after boiling. Then, the water stank really bad. It had 2-3 layers on the outside that needed to be stripped off before it was no longer an issue. Just be aware if you’re using it for a fish tank!
Thank you for the positive review, and the tips on managing the biofilms. I have adjusted the product description and added it to the preparation card included with each pod so future ecosystem builders can be more aware. Thank you! -Ben
Looking forward to using this and seeing how my tank inhabitants use it.