10 Gallon Ecosystem Kit
About This Kit:
The 10-Gallon Ecosystem Kit is curated to help you establish a botanical method, blackwater, or biotope aquarium—or a bioactive enclosure—up to 10 gallons. Each kit includes a balanced blend of botanicals, wood, bark, and leaf litter that mirrors the natural layering of wild aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Ideal for small aquariums, nano tanks, or vivariums, this kit provides enough botanicals to nurture your ecosystem for approximately six months, depending on your aquarium’s inhabitants and biological activity.
Essential Details
- Tannin Level: Low to moderate, depending on botanical mix
- Tint Color: Light to medium brown
- Durability: Mixed – includes both fast- and slow-decomposing materials
- Habitat Location: Sustainably sourced from tropical and subtropical regions around the globe
- Optimal For: Aquariums and bioactive enclosures up to 10 gallons
- Use with Caution: Some small cones can pose a choking hazard for goldfish or axolotls
- Size Range: Contains various sizes of small to medium leaves, pods, bark, twigs, and cones suited for nano and small aquariums
- 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, ½ pack of small leaves, 10 twigs, and ½ pack of cones. Additional botanicals may be included to complete the look, along with samples of our re-tinting Betta Tea bags.
10-Gallon Ecosystem Kit for Aquariums & Vivariums
Each 10-Gallon Ecosystem Kit provides the foundation for building an ecosystem that mimics the rhythms of nature. The mix of botanicals—from fibrous pods and manzanita to leaves and bark—encourages microbial, fungal, and biofilm development essential for establishing food webs and natural habitat.
As the botanicals condition, they release beneficial compounds that tint the water a warm hue while supporting the microorganisms that form the base of your aquarium’s food web. Softer materials break down quickly, contributing to the organic detritus layer that supports the microfauna, while the more durable components like manzanita and seed pods create structure and shelter for fish, shrimp, or amphibians.
Each kit may also feature limited-edition botanicals not yet available on our website. Customers may specify one preferred leaf, seed pod, and bark type by emailing us after purchase for light customization. Samples of our Betta Tea Tannin Replenishment Bags are included to help maintain the natural tint of your aquarium as the system matures.
Beneath the Leaves: Building Ecosystems in Miniature
In nature, even the smallest pools and stream margins are shaped by organic materials—fallen leaves, seed pods, and twigs that create perpetual substrate. The 10-Gallon Ecosystem Kit allows us to recreate the same rhythm of renewal, but on a smaller scale. It recreates the intricate balance of flooded forest edges and shaded streambeds, where decomposition fuels life and botanicals play the role in sustaining the habitat.
Sustainability Note:
This product’s packaging is home compostable. Just like the botanicals inside, it will break down naturally and return to the soil, because what supports your ecosystem should minimally impact our planet.
Ecosystem Kits include FREE shipping.
Not for human consumption. Preparation required.
This is a natural product—variation in color, shape, and texture is expected.
Example Quantity might look like this: 1 pc 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, 8 oz bamboo leaves, 10 oak twigs, and 30 casuarina cones.
10 Gallon Ecosystem Kit
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.
