10 Gallon Ecosystem Kit
Product Description: Our 10-gallon ecosystem kit is meant for aquariums up to 10 gallons, for smaller tanks you will want to cut the wood pieces provided or get creative in having them reach into the aquarium. Ecosystem aquarium kits provide beginner to expert botanical method aquarium enthusiasts with a semi-custom package for building an ecosystem. Please email us providing your preference for one type of leaf, seed pod, and bark to include. We will include these along with enough aquarium botanicals to get the tank established and last 6 months depending on the nature of your aquarium and its inhabitants. We will also include botanicals we don't currently have listed on the website. If you would like to add NatureBase Sedimented Substrate it will be an option as they become available, simply choose the variant that meets your needs. Ecosystem Kits include FREE Shipping!!! 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.
Preparation Required. Not for Human Consumption.
Quantities: 1 pc Exotic Manzanita, 1 pc Branch Manzanita, 2 Large Seed Pods, 2 smaller seed pods, 2 bark pieces, 2 full packs of leaves, 1/2 pack of small leaves, 10 twigs, 1/2 pack of cones. Additional botanicals will be included compared to the photos, and samples of our re-tinting tea bags from our line Betta Tea will be included as they are available.
Example Quantity might look like this: 1pc Exotic Manzanita, 1 pc Branch Manzanita, 2 Sterculia Pods, 8 sappan pods, 1 cup Sycamore Maple Bark, 1 28c bag of guava leaves, 1 24c bag of jackfruit leaves, 8oz bamboo leaves, 10 oak twigs, and 30 casuarina cones.
Contant us at info@bettabotanicals.com
Home is getting 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
This kit is a great way to start botanical aquariums. Ben went out of his way to make sure I had something that would work for my unique tank. Would highly recommend for beginners.
I received the kit and couldn't be more pleased. The manzanita wood and branch had great forms for my planned botanical "blackwater" tank. The large and small pods will be create if I decide to raise some wild Betta in the tank (still deciding). Lots of leaves and twigs. There are plenty extra so I'll be able to continue refreshing the leaves as the slowly disintegrate. I look forward to ordering more from this great company!
Thank you so much for this kind review of our 10 gallon ecosystem kit! I really appreciate it! -Ben
This Ecosystem is amazing. Ben personally emailed to discuss my tank size so he could choose driftwood that would fit my tank. I have to say I absolutely love the driftwood. It reminds me of tree roots growing into the water. The botanicals supplied are top quality. Currently have the tank running for 3 weeks now and I still haven't used Any tea bags to achieve this tint. I received more than enough botanicals and have plenty left over. Overall if you are thinking about setting up a blackwater tank I suggests these ecosystem kits. Will definitely buy from Betta Botanicals agian! So happy to have my dream sparkling gourami tank now.
