What it helps with
It gives customers a familiar blackwater starter mix rather than separate loose choices.
Selected option contents
WHAT YOU RECEIVE
- 5 x Catappa Leaves / Indian Almond Leaves
- 5 x Banana Leaves
- 30g x Alder Cones - sold by weight, cone size varies naturally
Natural product: size, shape, colour, texture and surface detail will vary.
PRODUCT DETAILS
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What to watch
Watch tint, cone quantity, leaf breakdown and the tank response over the first few days.
HOW TO USE / LAYOUT GUIDANCE
- Add the leaf litter first to create cover and grazing surfaces.
- For alder cones, start with 5–8 cones, then add a few more over 3–7 days depending on the tint and effect you want.
- Remove pieces if they break down heavily in lightly stocked tanks.
- Top up slowly rather than adding the whole bundle at once in small aquariums.
Product story
Leaf Litter + Tannins Starter Bundle – Catappa, Banana & Alder Cones Pack in use
AQUARIUM PRODUCT STORY
Build the box as a natural habitat route
These are illustrative product-world scenes, not customer proof or review images. They help customers understand the habitat, packing and staged-use context before buying.
FEATURE PIECE
Set the largest structural botanical first and build the smaller materials around it.
OPEN ROUTES
Leave open sand and swimming space instead of filling the entire substrate.
GRAZING SURFACES
Spread leaves and textured pieces so shrimp and small fish can explore multiple surfaces.
SHELTER
Use pods and harder forms to create cover without turning the whole aquarium into one dense pile.
PREPARATION & SAFETY
PREPARATION
- Rinse all botanicals thoroughly before use. Do not use soap, detergents or household chemicals.
- If needed, pre-soak harder pieces for 1–7 days to help them sink and to reduce the strongest initial tint.
- A white or translucent biofilm may appear as botanicals begin to soften. This is a normal part of botanical decomposition and is commonly grazed by shrimp and snails.
SAFETY
- Add botanicals gradually, particularly in small aquariums or very soft, low-KH water.
- Botanicals are not a treatment and do not guarantee a specific pH, GH or KH change.
- Remove or reduce botanical material if livestock show signs of stress.
- For ornamental aquarium / hobby use only. Not for human consumption. Keep away from children and pets.
- Alder cones are sold by weight, so the number of cones may vary depending on cone size.
FAQ
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Why is alder listed by weight?
Cone size varies naturally, so the pack is sold by weight rather than by a fixed cone count.
LEARN BEFORE YOU ADD
Practical guides for botanical setup, preparation and what to expect.
COMPLETE THE ROUTE
