Product Description: Leaf Litter in the aquarium is the foundation of any good botanical method aquarium, forming detritus, which is the main source of fuel for these aquatic ecosystems. Our 'Betta Leaf Litter' is a diverse mix of whole and crushed leaves, small seed pods, and small twigs which help you replicate the diverse leaf litter bed of nature. We provide a mixture of leaves that break down quickly, and others that withstand the test of time, providing all components needed to start your leaf litter aquarium. What’s inside the bag? Well, it’s a 'mixed bag' of our favorites. Some of which you can only get in this pack. We start with a mixture of crushed Mulberry, Jackfruit, and Magnolia, then enrich it with some catappa, beech, live oak, and maybe a few others like guava or bamboo, or loquat. We will throw in a few small twigs and pods for some variety and texture.

Not for Human Consumption. Preparation Required. 

Quantities: 32oz bag, the largest compostable bag we carry, containing a diverse mix of leaves. No bag will contain the same exact materials, but the 'base' of this leafy mix is mulberry, magnolia, catappa, and guava. Potential leaves you will find here are jackfruit, loquat, beech, alder cones, oak twigs, birch twigs, alder branches, and acorn tops. Maybe you will get bamboo leaves, shredded banana leaves, or leaves never before seen in the hobby native to betta habitats in Indonesia and Thailand. This is a natural product, and variation between 'Betta Leaf Litter' is expected.

Aquarium Botanical Locations: North America, Thailand, Indonesia. 

Aquarium Botanical FAQs

1. Please reference our Shipping and Hassle-Free Return Policy at the bottom of the screen. All Products are packaged inside a COMPOSTABLE Ziplock bag and shipped safely to your door. 
2. 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 the next water exchange and add some more.
3. Aquarium botanicals, leaves and seed pods are not for human consumption, ever. 

Commonly Asked Questions:

1) Will botanicals lower the pH of my water?

It entirely depends on your water 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 white growths on my botanicals?

White growths are the colonization of biofilms and fungi in the aquarium. 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 have Bettas, will these botanicals be okay for my fish?

100% yes. Our botanicals are for aquariums terrariums, vivariums and all natural enclosures.

4) I have goldfish and axolotls, what botanicals should I get?

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 are preferred. 

5) When should I replace 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 don’t get all potential benefits of leaving them in the aquarium.